The Canadian Federation of Agriculture hopes support comes in the form of financial backing.

CFA calls for emergency federal funding

The national organization warns of a “tipping point” for agriculture

Glacier FarmMedia – The Canadian Federation of Agriculture (CFA) wants the federal government to immediately prioritize food production by creating an emergency fund or financial backstop for farmers as part of its response to COVID-19. “We must ensure Canada’s domestic food supply is secure, not only for the duration of this battle, but long into […] Read more

A soybean plot in a demonstration field at a past Ag in Motion.  Photo: Lisa Guenther

Ag in Motion outdoor farm show going online instead for 2020

Showrunners plan free 'Ag in Motion Discovery Plus' online event

Glacier FarmMedia’s summer farm show Ag in Motion is coming in from the outdoors to operate in cyberspace for 2020. The event — which was due to run July 21-23 at the Glacier FarmMedia Discovery Farm on Highway 16 west of Langham, Sask., about 40 km northwest of Saskatoon — has been rebranded for 2020 […] Read more

Not all that long ago, having a reliable internet connection was deemed essential by the CRTC.

Opinion: COVID-19 highlights need for reliable Internet access

COVID-19 should serve as a watershed moment that ushers in an era of nation-wide internet access. For years, Canadians living in rural areas have complained of poor internet. These complaints were not entirely ignored, as government’s have made significant investments to improve rural broadband. But the digital divide still existing today highlights how imperative it […] Read more

Sanitizing equipment that has not been cleaned regularly in the past can help to limit virus spread.

Managing COVID-19 risks during planting

Five steps to keeping family and workers safe

Farmers face unique safety risks as COVID-19 continues to spread. The COVID-19 outbreak will continue to float through North America as spring planting season shifts into high gear, says Rusty Lee, University of Missouri Extension field specialist in agronomy. Lee identified several areas where farmers can reduce their risk: 1. Deliveries: Physical distancing becomes difficult […] Read more

Agriculture suppliers are pushing for the changes in order to protect employees and maintain efficiency while they continue to operate through the pandemic.

The new paperless way

The COVID-19 pandemic response is driving farms and companies to paperless transactions

The COVID-19 crisis is forcing changes to how business is done in Ontario agriculture, driving a long-delayed move to digital business transactions. Deliveries from or visits to a supplier often doubled as social interactions in farm country, but that face-to-face culture is being supplanted by digital bits. Why it matters: Paper transactions and payments move […] Read more


Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaks to news media outside his home in Ottawa, March 25, 2020.

Sorting through COVID-19 programs

Federal and provincial governments have created significant programs to support businesses and farmers. Here’s a summary.

COVID-19 has affected farmers and agri-businesses across all sectors of the agriculture industry. Provincial and federal governments are providing funding and options for producers as they deal with the pandemic’s effects. Why it matters: Some agriculture and food systems are struggling during COVID-19, especially farm and processing labour. Tax filing The Canadian Revenue Agency has […] Read more

(Izusek/E+/Getty Images)

Advancing Women conferences join Glacier FarmMedia

Agricultural publisher Glacier FarmMedia is expanding its events division at both ends of the country with a major networking event for women in agriculture and agribusiness. The Winnipeg publishing house, which owns and operates this website, announced Thursday it acquired the two Advancing Women in Agriculture Conferences (AWC) — and has hired AWC’s founder, conference […] Read more

Opinion: The changing conversation around food

Opinion: The changing conversation around food

Stating that food security is critical during the COVID-19 crisis means farm issues won’t be sidelined

On one hand, the federal government stated the obvious when it identified the food system as one of the 10 critical infrastructures supporting Canadians during the pandemic crisis. After all, who can survive without food? Nevertheless, the guidance document issued by Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Minister Bill Blair sent an important signal, one that […] Read more


There’s value in local food production, but having global systems can reduce food risk.

OPINION: In a COVID-19 world, is local better?

While there might be value in bolstering Canadian food production, there’s resiliency in global trade

Our food system has weathered an unprecedented demand shift and shock over the past month. Overall, we have come out of it reasonably well. We have seen short-term shortages on grocery store shelves (flour and other products) and some rationing when product was there (milk, eggs). At the same time, we have heard stories of […] Read more

The illustration shows bacteriophages attacking bacteria.

What’s old is new again in bacterial control

Bacteriophages are finding more uses in food processing, but not yet in internal medicine

A virus discovered a century ago could become a powerful weapon against disease and antimicrobial resistance in the livestock industry, according to an expert in the Canadian government. Why it matters: Bacteriophages could be an antidote to antimicrobial resistance, which is undercutting options for antibiotics at a time when global demand for meat is rising. […] Read more