Sao Paulo | Reuters — Brazil’s government told ranchers and farmers on Friday to stop setting fire to the Amazon rainforest as clouds of dense gray smoke make the air increasingly unbreathable in the northern city of Manaus, threatening sanctions if they do burn areas of land. “Fire is not natural in the Amazon, it […] Read more
Tag Archives farmland — page 3
Brazil tells landowners to stop setting fires in Amazon ‘climate emergency’
Properties could be embargoed, agency says
ALUS gets new provincial funding
Program helps farmers pay for projects that protect species at risk
At the Crump farm near Ilderton, runoff from 400 nearby acres, grazing by too many cattle and an elevation change of 35 feet in a short distance led to a strained ecosystem. Now, Chris and Vivian Crump have added wetlands, created more controlled grazing, managed the runoff from the barns and farmyard, planted 2,500 trees […] Read more
U.S. Lawmakers seek to limit corporate, foreign ownership of farmland
Farm groups, lawmakers are concerned that foreign, investor ownership is driving up prices and threatening national security
Washington | Reuters – U.S. lawmakers from both parties are pushing legislation that would limit who can own American farmland, with a latest effort from Democratic Senator Cory Booker aimed at curbing corporate ownership. Farm groups and lawmakers are concerned that land buys by investors and foreign countries are driving up farmland prices and threatening […] Read more
Balancing farm severances with the need for housing
CFFO supports intensified housing within existing settlement boundaries
The debate on balancing housing demand with agricultural land protection continues to build as agricultural associations draft provincial planning statement letters. It was a hot policy topic at the Christian Farmers Federation of Ontario’s June provincial meeting in Elora, where members shared their concerns before the Aug. 4 comment deadline. Why it matters: Housing continues […] Read more
Saskatchewan drainage work rebates expanded to farmers
Channel clearing, drain maintenance program shares eligible costs
A program to help rural Saskatchewan municipalities and local authorities cover costs of channel clearing and maintaining drains for flood prevention will now expand to include individual landowners. The province’s Water Security Agency (WSA) said Friday its $1 million cost-share rebate program will expand its eligibility beyond RMs, conservation and development area (C+D) authorities and […] Read more
Opinion: Distracted by shiny objects
Public investments in the Volkswagen battery plant should have been earmarked for agriculture
The federal government is investing up to $13.7 billion in subsidies for Volkswagen to build a new electric vehicle battery plant in the St. Thomas, Ont., area. It’s an investment that supporters say paves the way for a green technology transition, bettering the environment as a whole, while providing much-needed jobs to thousands. Detractors have […] Read more
Province halts lot severance policy after industry input
Extended consultation period will allow for further input on housing plans
The Ontario government has agreed to pause its proposed planning statement and Bill 97 pending further discussions. The announcement was made May 30 in a joint release by 14 Ontario agricultural organizations. Why it matters: If passed, the proposed plan would see farmland permanently lost in Ontario. The statement as proposed would allow up to […] Read more
Brazil justice grants Congress more time on bill limiting Indigenous rights
Case pits Indigenous against Big Ag
Brasilia | Reuters — A Brazilian Supreme Court justice on Wednesday asked for more time to study a case pitting the country’s Indigenous people against its powerful farm sector, a decision that is likely to give lawmakers more time to pass a measure favouring Big Agriculture. The decision by Justice Andre Mendonca, an Evangelical pastor […] Read more
To buy or to rent?
Rent-to-price ratio can help farmers decide what’s best for them
Higher interest rates don’t seem to be affecting the ratio between land values and land rental costs — at least not yet. Farm Credit Canada’s latest analysis of farmland rental prices shows they’re roughly maintaining their traditional linkage, says J.P Gervais, the organization’s chief economist. WHY IT MATTERS: Understanding the rent-to-price ratio for farmland can […] Read more
Province backs off on three-lot severance proposal
In a joint statement today, the leadership of 14 Ontario agricultural organizations said they “are pleased to find common ground with the Ontario government in respect to protecting farmland under the proposed Provincial Planning Statement.” According to a May 30 Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) Viewpoint by President Peggy Brekveld, the provincial government will not […] Read more
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