Where’s the beef? It’s in the upper righthand corner of the new edition of Canada’s Food Guide, in the section labelled ‘Eat protein foods.’

A plateful of advice offered in new national food guide

But that plate has less meat, more plant-based protein, and water is the ‘drink of choice’

“Don’t see a lot of meat or dairy!” That tweet from Simon Somogyi, Arrell Chair in the Business of Food at University of Guelph food expert summed up the reaction of many farm groups in the country following the unveiling of the revamped Canada’s Food Guide. As expected, Health Canada’s new edition of the guide […] Read more

Lee Moats was a farmer representative on a federal government panel on agriculture sector growth.

Setting the table for agri-food growth

Government and industry have roles to play in order to meet aggressive sector export goals

Does Canadian agriculture need an Own the Podium strategy? The Economic Strategy Table on Agri-Food thinks it’s an idea to examine. Lee Moats, a Riceton, Sask., farmer who was part of the economic strategy process for agriculture, says the idea of focusing resources where they can have largest impact makes sense to reach the lofty […] Read more

Getting new graduates onto farms proved helpful in making them comfortable in farm technology jobs.

Recruiting outside of ag schools

New-graduate program brings in aggies and non-aggies

A program that linked new graduates, many from non-agriculture programs, with agriculture companies, could provide lessons to the sector in how to recruit new employees. Why it matters: The agriculture industry has a chronic shortage of workers, with the University of Guelph reporting that each of its graduates usually has four jobs waiting for them. […] Read more

Dominic Barton, left, asks a question of a panel of agri-food policy influencers during a recent discussion on creating policy to build on agri-food momentum.

Breaking down barriers to export success

Bringing more small and medium-sized businesses to where they are comfortable exporting can help drive agri-food growth

Canadian agriculture has huge opportunity, but the heavy lifting to meet a federal government goal of increasing exports to $75 billion by 2025, has barely begun. A recent gathering of agri-food policy influencers heard that areas that need work across the sector include: Finding enough skilled labour to meet the goal Governments that can communicate […] Read more

Dana McCauley has been working to launch Accelerator Guelph since she joined the Research Innovation office at the University of Guelph late last year. (John Greig photo)

Guelph to host new agri-food accelerator

The University of Guelph has created a new organization to help launch agri-food ideas and innovations. Accelerator Guelph aims to provide business training, help create networks and provide a process to innovators in agriculture and food at the university. Why does it matter? Getting research and great ideas from university researchers to the market has […] Read more


(PortMetroVancouver.com)

Officials aim to forge ahead with TPP as Canada wavers

Tokyo | Reuters — As trade officials gather in Tokyo this week to try and forge ahead with a trade pact that U.S. President Donald Trump abandoned last year, the new 11-member club risks getting bogged down by resistance from Canada. The member countries of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), also […] Read more

(Liberal.ca)

Most of farm file’s handlers to return to Commons

Most federal parliamentarians with experience in the agriculture and agri-food portfolio will be back in the House of Commons under a new majority Liberal government. As of Tuesday morning, prime minister-elect Justin Trudeau’s Liberals were elected or leading in 184 of 338 seats, for a decisive majority following Monday’s federal election. Stephen Harper’s Conservatives return […] Read more