G20 nations meet on many topics, including agriculture science.

International agricultural scientists affirm commitment to science-based decisions

The G20 scientists are taking a greater look at Canada’s Living Laboratories approach to research

A recent meeting of the Group of 20 (G20) Agricultural Chief Scientists has resulted in greater attention to plant pests that move across borders and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s Living Laboratories research approach. The meeting, according to Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC), is an opportunity to discuss major challenges to sustainable agricultural production. Ministry spokespeople […] Read more

(Kat72/iStock/Getty Images)

Huge increase predicted in canola ending stocks

MarketsFarm — Canadian canola carryout stocks are forecast to rise to a record 5.3 million tonnes by the end of the 2019-20 marketing year, more than doubling the previous five-year average, according to updated estimates from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s market analysis division. While the department, in its estimates, expects total canola production to decline […] Read more

Farm management training organization ceasing operations

Farm management training organization ceasing operations

The Agri-Food Management Institute’s programs will be carried on by two other organizations

As a result of “changes to its funding structure,” the Agri-Food Management Institute (AMI) — a Guelph-based organization supporting farm and other agri-businesses with resources, workshops and training — has announced it will cease operations by April 30. AMI’s resources will now be hosted by two other organizations. Why it matters: AMI was one of […] Read more

A proposal is on the table to determine whether royalties on saved seed should be included in new regulations.

Opinion: Better case needed for farm-saved seed royalties

Given that seed companies have the ability to negotiate contracts to collect royalties, the definitive argument for government regulation to sanction royalties applied to saved seed has yet to be made. Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada is in the midst of a consultation process on a proposal to determine whether royalties on saved seed should be […] Read more

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s map of deferral-designated areas for the 2018 tax year as of Oct. 25, 2018. (Agr.gc.ca)

Unusual third assessment run for livestock tax deferrals

In an unusual move, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada has undertaken a third assessment for the federal livestock tax deferral. “Federal officials are currently finalizing the analysis to identify whether any additional regions have met the criteria for the livestock tax deferral,” AAFC spokesperson James Watson said. Under the deferral plan, cattle producers affected by severe […] Read more


Canadian Agriculture Minister Lawrence MacAulay, centre, announced $70 million in funding for agriculture research at the Harrow Research Station.

Federal government invests in scientist “succession planning,” more inclusive research

The investment in agriculture research includes some new ways of involving partners

The federal government recently announced a $70 million investment into Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s (AAFC) network of research institutions, including what is being called the Living Laboratories Initiative. The investment is separate from the Canadian Agriculture Partnership — the latest rendition of federal-provincial agriculture investment — with large portions allocated to finding new hires and […] Read more

Agriculture Canada’s market analysis branch forecast canola ending stocks for 2018/19 is double the September estimate.  Photo: File

Agriculture Canada ups canola carryout forecast sharply

Winnipeg | CNS Canada – Canadian canola carryout stocks at the end of the current marketing year (2018/19) will be considerably larger than an earlier estimate, according to updated supply/demand tables from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, released on Oct. 19, 2018. Agriculture Canada’s market analysis branch forecast canola ending stocks for 2018/19 at 2.500 million […] Read more

Better conversations on food across government departments should involve farmers and farmer groups.

Editorial: Yes, a food policy for Canada still has a chance

The creation of a national food policy for Canada is a daunting task, full of practical and political pitfalls — likely why no federal government has tackled it before to any extent. I recently waded through the summary of public comments on a food policy released in early September by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. It […] Read more


The data can potentially be used to develop field risk assessment maps.

Mapping moisture from space

Data collected by orbiting satellites can potentially inform field and farm policy decisions

Canadian research is measuring soil moisture content from space. Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and the Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change are involved in two projects designed to measure soil moisture levels with orbiting satellites. Why it matters: Orbit-level analysis of soil moisture can affect farmers’ field level decisions and government policy decisions. One […] Read more

Grain Farmers of Ontario developing a business risk management model

Grain Farmers of Ontario developing a business risk management model

Grain Farmers of Ontario is conducting an analysis of BRM programs with funding from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s AgriRisk program. The analysis involves assessing and developing new program designs, as well as determining the cost of each option, based in part on a survey of approximately 1,000 grain and oilseed producers on their individual preferences […] Read more