Coop federee president Ghislain Gervais speaks to the co-operative’s AGM Feb. 23 in Quebec City. (CNW Group/La Coop federee)

Coop federee cracks $6 billion mark in revenues

Revenues for expansion-minded Quebec agrifood and retail co-operative La Coop federee crossed the $6 billion mark in fiscal 2016, leading to a substantial jump in patronage dividends to producers. The co-operative at its annual meeting reported earnings, before patronage dividends and income taxes, of $275.44 million on $6.335 billion in revenues for fiscal 2016, up […] Read more

Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Dwight Ball and Finance Minister Cathy Bennett lay out the “Flatter, Leaner Management Structure” on Feb. 22. (Gov.NL.ca)

Newfoundland shifts Lands Branch to new department

The government branch overseeing Crown land in Newfoundland and Labrador will join the provincial ministry handling the agrifoods file, as the province moves to cut public sector costs. Premier Dwight Ball on Wednesday announced what he billed as the “Flatter, Leaner Management Structure” for the provincial government, a reorganization which will see 287 management positions […] Read more


A rail car from SGCC’s fleet. (Dave Bedard photo)

Warm Saskatchewan weather spells early load limits

A long spell of spring-like weather in Saskatchewan’s southwest has softened roads to the point where winter weights are about to be removed. Increased winter weights will end in southwestern Saskatchewan, including several major roads and 70 rural municipalities, starting at 12:01 a.m. Friday (Feb. 24), the provincial highways department announced Wednesday. Affected roads will […] Read more



(Dow.com)

EU regulators reported set to clear Dow, DuPont deal

Brussels | Reuters — Dow Chemical and DuPont are set to win EU antitrust approval for their US$130 billion merger, two people familiar with the matter said on Wednesday. The deal, which still needs approval from U.S. and other regulators, has faced intense scrutiny from the European Commission. Of particular concern is combining the two […] Read more

(Photo courtesy Federation des producteurs acericoles du Quebec.)

Quebec extends organic conversion funding plan

A support program for Quebec farmers to convert crop, livestock or maple syrup operations to organic production will get an extension. Provincial Agriculture Minister Laurent Lessard on Monday announced the three-year, $4 million organic agriculture conversion support program set up in June 2015 will now run to the end of March 2022. The program offers […] Read more





Researchers in Newfoundland harvested the province’s first-ever canola field in September 2016. (Gov.NL.ca)

Newfoundland expands Crown land base for farming

CORRECTED, Feb. 28, 2017 — The Newfoundland and Labrador government plans to boost the amount of land available to the province’s farmers by allocating more Crown land for development. The province’s Department of Fisheries, Forestry and Agrifoods announced Thursday it has now identified 62 “agriculture areas of interest” to date, totalling about 158,150 acres. The […] Read more

(Dave Bedard photo)

FCC launches new loan for young agri-businesspeople

Canada’s federal farm lending agency is expanding its loan offerings in agribusiness and agrifood with a new program aimed at young businesspeople. Farm Credit Canada’s Young Entrepreneur Loan, launched Thursday in Ottawa during Canada Agriculture Day celebrations, will offer financing of up to $1 million per qualified applicant under age 40, at closed variable rates […] Read more