Conservative agriculture critic John Barlow speaks Nov. 24, 2021 in the House of Commons. (Screengrab from supplied video)

Anti-activist bill back before Commons committee

Bill adds protections for biosecurity, farmers' mental health, Barlow says

A bill to create harsher penalties for unlawful entry onto farms and biosecure zones is back before the House of Commons after a previous iteration died on the order table in 2021. Conservative MP John Barlow brought forward Bill C-275, “an Act to amend the Health of Animals Act (biosecurity on farms),” as a private […] Read more

(LOP.parl.ca)

Carbon exemption bill nearing close of Senate deliberations

Farm groups hoped to see Bill C-234 made law in time for harvest

A bill to exempt propane and natural gas from the carbon price when used for grain drying and barn heating was nearing the end of its winding road through the Senate after an Oct. 5 meeting. Thursday morning the Senate’s committee on agriculture and forestry heard final witnesses speak on Bill C-234, which would amend […] Read more

Underused housing tax undue burden on farmers, ag groups say

Underused housing tax undue burden on farmers, ag groups say

Many farms can apply for exemption, but the process can be expensive, a letter to federal ministers says

Agriculture leaders say a federal tax on ‘underused’ housing is causing an unintended and undue burden on farmers. “We urge the government to exempt farmers from the requirement to file a [underused housing tax] return,” said a letter sent to federal ministers. The Canadian Canola Growers, Canadian Federation of Agriculture, Canadian Cattle Association, Ontario Fruit […] Read more


Photo: Reuters

NFU claims victory for wheat producers after CGC reversal

The changes would've seen the export grade standard applied to deliveries to country elevators

The National Farmers Union (NFU) is calling a reversal of wheat-grading changes a “tremendous success for farmers,” according to news release, Friday. On Friday morning, the Canadian Grain Commission repealed upcoming grading changes in response to complaints from producer groups. In a news release, the CGC simply stated it was repealing the alignment of primary […] Read more

 PHOTO: Laura Rance

CGC repeals grading changes in response to producer complaints

The new regulations would have seen export grade standards applied to deliveries to country elevators

Days before implementation, the Canadian Grain Commission repealed grading changes in response to complaints from producer groups. In a news release, Friday, the CGC simply stated it was repealing the alignment of primary and export tolerances for test weight and total foreign materials for Canada Western Red Spring, Canada Western Hard White Spring, Canada Western Extra […] Read more

Washpower robot washers are in more than 1,000 barns around the world, including American barns seen in these promotional photos.

Automated washer a possible biosecurity, labour boon

Understaffing and outbreaks of PED have been linked

Glacier FarmMedia – A hog farm in southeastern Manitoba is taking a crack at automating its barn washing process with help from a Danish robot. “It definitely creates labour efficiencies,” said Dickson Gould, president of the Progressive Group. It is testing a Washpower robotic pressure washer in a batch farrowing barn. Why it matters: Labour […] Read more


Iowa Pork Producers Association director Aaron Juergens speaks at the Manitoba Pork Council annual meeting
in Winnipeg April 13.

Pork sector shows cross-border anxiety on meat labelling

American pork producers also nervous on VCOOL, U.S. industry reps say

Hog producers in Iowa and Minnesota aren’t pleased with U.S. changes to meat labelling that could have spillover effects into Canada, representatives told Manitoba Pork’s gathered membership in mid-April. “As pork producers, we love the trade,” said Aaron Juergens, an Iowa hog farmer and director with the Iowa Pork Producers Association. WHY IT MATTERS: Canada’s […] Read more

(Dave Bedard photo)

Net farm income down in 2022 despite high commodity prices: StatCan

Hike in farm fuel, fertilizer and feed costs is the largest in nearly 50 years

Farmers’ realized net income dropped by over eight per cent in 2022 as expenses outpaced the rise in cash receipts, a new Statistics Canada report says. Realized net income is the difference between cash receipts and operating expenses, minus depreciation and plus income in kind. When cannabis is included, realized net income dropped by nearly […] Read more