From L to R: Michael Harvey, executive director, Canadian Agri-Food Trade Alliance (CAFTA), Alanna Koch, board chair, Global Institute for Food Security, Scott Ross, executive director, Canadian Federation of Agriculture, Kate Harrison, vice-chair, Summa Strategies Canada, and Mike Wilson, executive director, Smart Prosperity Institute, speak during a panel session at the Canadian Agri-Food Policy Institute’s conference in Ottawa Oct. 2.

Diagnosing the sustainability of Canadian agriculture

Productivity and growth is healthy, but defining sustainability is still causing sickness

When it comes to sustainability in agriculture, Canada may be healthier than it realizes. Experts from across the agriculture industry discussed the state of sustainability at the recent Canadian Agri-Food Policy Institute annual conference. They set the tone at the Oct. 2 kickoff by "diagnosing" Canadian agriculture sustainability issues.



Photo: Reuters/Ben Nelms/File

Global crop yields have not kept up with increasing demand 

Sluggish production blamed on adverse weather conditions and high input costs that lead to reduced fertilizer use

The global stocks-to-use ratio for the major crops, excluding China, has been trending down since 2018, Jason Newton, Nutrien’s chief economist, told delegates attending the 24th International Farm Management Association Congress in Saskatoon.





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CBOT weekly outlook: Bearish picture for commodities

Prices may not go much lower given the commodities have hit contract lows, says analyst

Ahead of the United States Department of Agriculture Outlook Forum, analyst Bryan Strommen of Progressive Ag in Fargo, N.D. painted a rather bearish picture for the commodity markets. However, he noted that prices might not go much lower given the commodities have hit contract lows.



Scenes from a year-long protest in India (here, near, Delhi in December 2020) during which farmers decried new laws liberalizing agriculture markets. (Photo: Reuters/Anushree Fadnavis)

Indian police block roads to halt farmers marching to New Delhi

Farmers accuse Modi gov. of slow rollout of promised higher prices

Indian police on Monday blocked roads to halt farmers who were marching to New Delhi to press for the better crop prices promised to them in 2021 when thousands of growers camped out on major highways leading to the country's capital.