Dairy farmers will continue to watch the effects of three trade deals roll out over the next six or more years and the future growth of the sector will depend on whether or not the sector continues its past growth pattern. The most recent is the Canada-U.S. Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) that replaced the NAFTA deal. […] Read more
News — page 369
Can Canadian dairy outgrow trade deal effects?
At current rates of growth, yes, but it could take six years
Dairy weathers unexpected price drop, trade deal implications
There are signs that the dairy market is recovering and butter stocks are low which could support prices
Dairy farms in Canada are likely to return to profitability in 2021, after absorbing a hit to profits from the impact of COVID-19. Sebastien Pouliot, principal agricultural economist at Farm Credit Canada (FCC), says that COVID-19 hit what could have been a decent year for dairy farmers. Why it matters: Dairy farms are a large […] Read more
Organic growers get funds to identify supply chain barriers
The federal government recently invested more than $640,000 in the Canadian Organic Growers (COG) to help get more Canadian consumers buying Canadian-made organics produced locally by Canadian organic farmers. The announcement was made at Chelsea Market, during Canada’s National Organic Week, an annual event to showcase and celebrate organic food farming and products across the […] Read more
Driving down ag tech costs and building connectivity
Microsoft has a significant agriculture research side dedicated to reducing barriers for farmers
Microsoft has put significant resources into agriculture, with the aim of reducing costs of sensor technology and finding inexpensive ways to increase data connections in fields. Why it matters: Non-agriculture companies can bring new approaches and expertise to agriculture technology. Ranveer Chandra, chief scientist of Microsoft Azure Global, leads the FarmBeats project for the company. […] Read more
Editorial: Empathy can be a superpower
There was a discussion in mid-August on Twitter among people in the agriculture sector about empathy. It was fascinating and instructive and shows that agriculture, as I’ve often argued, is as diverse in its views as is the rest of society. Empathy is the ability to understand what someone else is experiencing both in concrete […] Read more
Fairlife Peterborough milk plant now in operation
New Fairlife plant began production after extended pandemic delay
After months of pandemic-induced delays, a new Peterborough-area milk processor is up and running. Fairlife – a division of Coca Cola – first announced plans to construct the facility in June, 2018. Launch day, originally scheduled for this past spring, was delayed when personnel responsible for final construction and operational checks were unable to enter […] Read more
China’s hog herd recovery forecast questioned
Inventory levels aren’t expected to reach pre-ASF levels this year, and sow herd quality is likely to be lower than before
Glacier FarmMedia – Claims from China that hog production in that country will recover by next year to pre-2018 levels do not pass the smell test, says economic analyst Brett Stuart of Global AgriTrends. African swine fever forced the culling of an estimated 60 per cent of the Chinese herd after an outbreak began there […] Read more
Conestoga College program to train farm equipment operators
The new program received funding from provincial and federal governments
A new college program to train students in the latest in agriculture equipment is getting funding from the provincial and federal governments. The Conestoga College program will start as a pilot project to expand training opportunities for current farm sector employees and better prepare those interesting in careers in agriculture to work on farms. Why […] Read more
Cost puts brakes on farm technology adoption
Companies that want to sell to farmers have to demonstrate value of technology
Glacier FarmMedia – Most farmers in southern Ontario grow soybeans and corn. Meanwhile, the typical farmer in Saskatchewan produces canola, wheat, barley and probably a pulse crop. Yet the two share similar concerns about adopting agriculture technology. Why it matters: Precision tools are becoming increasingly important to efficient, sustainable farming, yet many producers remain concerned […] Read more
GFO campaign expands across eastern Canada
Atlantic and Quebec farmers also call for help after large American subsidies
Grain Farmers of Ontario has enlisted grain farmers in Quebec and Atlantic Canada in its campaign to raise awareness about American farm subsidies. Grains and oilseeds farmers in the United States will this year receive $32 billion in direct subsidies from the Trump government. A new advertisement, running across eastern Canada, points out the $32 […] Read more
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
