Farmers in Canada are concerned that the carbon tax will make them less competitive in the global marketplace.

Farm groups form carbon coalition

The potential of much higher carbon taxes has caused concern

Glacier FarmMedia – Proposed federal carbon tax hikes seen as a threat to farmers have prompted the formation of a national coalition to oppose the carbon plan. “I think it raised a lot of concerns for how farmers would disproportionately be impacted because of their reliance on fuel and on natural gas to feed Canada […] Read more

Group calls for farm climate investment from federal government

A group of farmers is calling for the federal government to invest $300 million to reduce greenhouse gas emissions on farms. Farmers for Climate Solutions (FCS) says such an investment could reduce agricultural emissions by 10 million tonnes. A FCS-led task force made up of farmers, agricultural economists, climate scientsts and policy experts came up […] Read more

Environment Minister Jonathan Wilkinson, with Infrastructure Minister Catherine McKenna (l) and Heritage Minister Steven Guilbeault (r), speaks at the Dominion Arboretum in Ottawa on Dec. 11, 2020. (Photo: Reuters/Blair Gable)

No credit expected for farmers’ past work in new carbon market

Work on protocols for specific projects to begin this spring, department says

Draft regulations for Canada’s new carbon market show Canadian farmers won’t receive credit for removing any greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) from the atmosphere prior to 2017. Federal Environment Minister Jonathan Wilkinson on Friday announced the offset market, to be known as the Federal Greenhouse Gas Offset System. A 60-day public consultation period on draft regulations […] Read more

Winnipeg South Centre MP Jim Carr speaks to the Canadian Crops Virtual Convention on March 2, 2021. (CCVC video screengrab)

Carbon tax rebate on grain drying fuels coming

Jim Carr reiterates Bibeau's pledge from last week

Farmers can expect a rebate on carbon taxes paid on fuels used to dry grain, Jim Carr, the federal cabinet’s special representative for the Prairies, told the Canadian Crops Virtual Convention on Tuesday. However, he didn’t provide any details. “There is promising news on this front,” Carr told the meeting, hosted by the Canola Council […] Read more

Agriculture critic MP Lianne Rood asks a question in the House of Commons.

Carbon tax exemption: $235 million over five years

Government says Climate Action fund will pay for $11.9 million in projects

A report from Canada’s Parliamentary Budget Office says the cost of exempting more farm fuels from carbon pricing will cost $235 million over the next five years.  Why it matters: Ottawa’s carbon tax will increase farmer expenses but by how much is still in question. If certain activities are granted exemptions from the carbon pricing […] Read more


Tom Vilsack speaks to farmers at a rural agricultural co-operative at Guira de Melena in Cuba on Nov. 13, 2015. (Photo: Reuters/Alexandre Meneghini)

U.S. Senate confirms Vilsack as Biden’s ag secretary

Pandemic leaves USDA 'a lot of work to do'

Reuters — The U.S. Senate on Tuesday confirmed Tom Vilsack to head the Department of Agriculture, returning the former Iowa governor to the job he held under ex-President Barack Obama. The 100-member Senate approved Vilsack 92-7. He needed a simple majority in the Democratic-controlled chamber to be confirmed. As secretary of the sprawling department, Vilsack […] Read more

Agriculture is seen as a potential contributor to reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Group calls for investment in farm greenhouse gas reduction

Farmers for Climate Solutions says $300 million is needed from government

A group of farmers is calling for the federal government to invest $300 million to reduce greenhouse gas emissions on farms. Farmers for Climate Solutions says such an investment could reduce agricultural emissions by 10 million tonnes. Why it matters: The federal government is currently working on creating its 2021 budget and there’s an expectation […] Read more

(Bob_bosewell/iStock/Getty Images)

Budget could include new BRM program, ag labour plan

Proposal for 'AgriResilience' program goes to Freeland

A new pre-budget report from the House of Commons’ finance committee is recommending several measures directly related to agriculture — including sought-after tweaks to AgriStability and creation of an entirely new business risk management program. The multipartisan committee heard testimony and received submissions from more than 800 groups and individuals. Mostly-virtual meetings took place in […] Read more


There has been a trend towards minimally processed foods and less fluid milk, with the exception of 2020, and an increased focus on more dairy and more fat. That’s along with a growth in dairy alternatives.

Riding the wave of change in milk products

COVID-19, consumer expectations, buyer standards mean changing directions in dairy

A rise in consumption of fluid milk for the first time in many years is just one example of the changes wrought in the dairy market by the COVID-19 pandemic. “It’s the first time fluid milk sales has been up in I don’t know how many years… but decades,” said Michael Barrett, president, Gay Lea […] Read more