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.




(Dave Bedard photo)

FCC’s top economic charts to monitor in 2024

Downward trends for cattle, swine herds; positive bent to feed, fertilizer affordability

As we start the new year amid elevated inflation and major headwinds facing the economy, here are our top charts to help make sense of the economic environment for farm operations, agribusinesses and food processors.



(Video screengrab from SQM.com via YouTube)

Nutrien to pause potash ramp up, ammonia project on falling prices

Potash prices have eased after the resumption of shipments from major supplier Belarus

Reuters – Nutrien NTR.TO on Wednesday decided to indefinitely pause its ramp-up plans for potash production and halt work on its clean ammonia project at Geismar, Louisiana, as the world’s biggest fertilizer producer grapples with falling prices. Its U.S.-listed shares fell 2.6% in extended trading as the company cited market conditions for stopping efforts to […] Read more

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland walk with copies of the 2023-24 budget on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on March 28, 2023. (Photo: Reuters/Patrick Doyle)

Interest-free cash advances get extra lift in federal budget

Fertilizer diversification, solids non-fat processing also up for funding

Federal Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland’s latest budget envelope for Canadian farmers up against rising costs of production includes a temporary boost to the interest-free portion of cash advances. Freeland’s 2023 federal budget, released Tuesday, includes $13 million in 2023-24 for Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada to temporarily increase the interest-free limit for loans under its Advance […] Read more