The poultry industry says China’s failure to lift bans 90 days after states eliminate avian flu from farms violates the Phase 1 trade agreement signed in 2020.

U.S. poultry bans continue over avian flu concerns

Importers keep their restrictions on shipments in place even as avian flu cases subside

U.S. poultry producers say they face prolonged economic pain from avian flu despite going months without infections in flocks as China and some smaller importers fail to lift trade bans implemented during the nation’s worst-ever outbreak of the virus. The lingering bans, imposed last year to prevent the spread of the disease, constrain the US$6 […] Read more

“We have a world class (beef production) system, a world-class product and producers that do a world class job. We have to stand up for what we do in Canada and be proud of what we do.” – Nathan Phinney.

Beef sector demands tougher stance on trade

The beef trade deficit with Europe reached $92 million in 2022, but trade flows have changed in 2023

Glacier FarmMedia – The Canadian Cattle Association (CCA) has adopted a different tone and approach to trade. It’s going to defend Canada’s beef industry and food production system to the hilt. “Just because another country does something in a specific way doesn’t mean we have to adopt that,” said Nathan Phinney, CCA president. “One thing […] Read more

This wheat in Middlesex County on June 27 is maturing quickly, like the rest of the Ontario wheat crop.

Large acreage means bigger-than-average Ontario wheat crop

Lack of local demand keeps Ontario corn bids low despite broader market jump

The corn and soybean futures markets have incorporated a risk premium due to the uncertainty in production. Trades are comparing this year to 1998 when there was a widespread North American drought. As of June 24, southern Ontario received 60 to 85 per cent of normal precipitation over the previous 30 days. Isolated pockets received […] Read more

Trade barriers are stifling Canadian exports even where trade agreements have been signed, ag exporters told the standing committee on international trade.

Exporters want action on non-tariff barriers

Canadian agricultural exports are not benefitting from trade agreements, say traders

Glacier FarmMedia – Canadian agricultural representatives have urged government to work with trade partners to eliminate non-tariff trade barriers. These barriers are stifling Canadian exports even where trade agreements have been signed, they told the standing committee on international trade in late May. Why it matters: Trade opportunities are not being realized due to non-tariff […] Read more

Prop 12 dictates that pigs must have 24 square feet of “usable” floor space per animal.

Editorial: Proposition 12 could bring trouble for livestock trade

A victory was achieved May 11 by animal rights groups when the U.S. Supreme Court upheld California’s Proposition 12, an item on the state’s 2018 election ballot.  Also known as the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, Prop 12 establishes minimum space requirements to be provided for egg-laying hens, breeding pigs and calves raised for […] Read more


Editorial: A big carrot in one hand, nothing in the other

It’s rarely a great idea to compare yourself to someone else. You can end up dissatisfied with something about yourself or about what they have and you don’t. Psychologists have a name for this behavior. It’s called social comparison. The theory suggests that people value their own personal and social worth by assessing how they […] Read more

China accounts for 60 per cent of global soybean imports, and consequently a reduction in import demand will have a large impact on global soybean prices.

China makes effort to reduce soybean imports

Imports expected to fall to 87 million tonnes in 2025 from 94 to 95 million in 2022, profoundly affecting global trade

Glacier FarmMedia – China’s soybean imports have likely peaked, which has “profound” implications for oilseed and grain markets, according to a global food and agriculture bank. The Chinese government has launched a campaign to reduce the country’s reliance on imported soybeans. Soybean meal inclusion rates in feed rations are forecast to fall to 13.5 per […] Read more

News that the United Kingdom has formed an agreement to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership has alarmed Canadian producers because of the country’s restrictive trade policies. Hog farmers have a particular reason to be concerned.

Comment: Canada needs to push back against U.K. trade behaviour

The U.K. government hopes to use CPTPP as part of its post-EU plan, but it’s not a good deal for Canadian pork producers

Glacier FarmMedia – Sadly but predictably, the United Kingdom’s probable entry in the Asia Pacific trade deal might give it room to continue to defame Canadian meat. Since joining the Canada-European Union trade deal, known as the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), Canadian meat and grain exporters have been vexed by crafty EU tricks […] Read more


Russia’s Black Sea demands cause jumpy wheat market

Russia’s Black Sea demands cause jumpy wheat market

An opportunity may arise for new-crop wheat sales, depending on future of shipping agreement

From March 15 through April 15, southern Ontario received above normal precipitation with some areas receiving as much as 100 to 125 millimetres of rain. Temperatures were two to three degrees below normal. The weather trend is cool and wet. U.S. and Ontario farmers could plant corn and soybeans 10-15 days later than normal, which […] Read more

Soy Canada saw the need for a Canadian sustainability program that will offer new market opportunities for growers.

New sustainable soybean program launched

Voluntary program aims to drive new market opportunities for growers and value chain

A new national and voluntary sustainability program has been launched to ensure Canadian soybean growers, grain handlers and exporters have continued access to premium markets. The Sustainable Canadian Soy program was designed to meet the needs of soybean customers and drive new market opportunities, said Soy Canada executive director Brian Innes during the program’s official […] Read more