Federal Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz has pledged to push the Canadian Wheat Board to allow no-cost buybacks for farmers who’d like to market grain ahead of the official end of the single desk. Ritz told the recent annual meeting of the Western Canadian Wheat Growers Association in Moose Haw that he would push for such […] Read more
Ritz to press CWB for interim no-cost buybacks
Ex-CWB directors seek to shut down feds’ appeal
The legal battle over the Canadian Wheat Board has taken another twist: its eight fired directors are now looking to quash Ottawa’s appeal of a declaration that Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz erred in deregulating the CWB’s marketing desk. Ritz introduced Bill C-18, the Marketing Freedom for Grain Farmers Act, on Oct. 18. C-18 received royal […] Read more
Conference explores life after the CWB monopoly
In a post-monopoly world, the Canadian Wheat Board will disappear altogether, or it will become the "eBay" for grain exports by bypassing the grain-handling system with container shipments. Or it will become something in between. It all depends on who was talking at the recent two-day conference here organized by the universities of Saskatchewan, Regina, […] Read more
Frozen wheat lawsuit goes against CWB
The Manitoba Court of Appeal has upheld a lower court ruling finding the Canadian Wheat Board liable for negligent misrepresentation in a 1983 wheat sale and must pay $4.6 million in damages, plus costs. The Dec. 14 ruling by Chief Justice Richard J. Scott stems from a trial held in 2009. Wheat board spokeswoman Maureen […] Read more
CWB fusarium programs to disappear
Farmers plagued with fusarium head blight are likely to see deeper discounts in the wake of the Canadian Wheat Board’s monopoly, the board’s agronomist Mike Grenier says. “I think you’ll see deep discounts pretty quickly on an individual year,” Grenier said during the recent 7th Canadian Workshop on Fusarium Head Blight. “I guess you just […] Read more
Experts see CWB legislation entering legal limbo
A parliamentary expert says federal plans to change the Canadian Wheat Board are likely on hold until the courts have had their final say on last week’s ruling in favour of opponents. "The federal government can get the legislation through Parliament, but they won’t be able to implement it as long as it’s before the […] Read more
Manitoba winter fertilizing ban begins Nov. 10
Did you know the last day to fall-apply fertilizer in Manitoba is Nov. 9? That’s how long Manitoba farmers who still plan to apply fertilizer this fall have to get the job done. Otherwise, they must wait until next April 10 under new regulations that came into effect last spring. Although the changes were announced […] Read more
Farm group under fire from farmers over CWB stance
Mostly it has been farmers fighting the government over the Canadian Wheat Board’s future, now it’s farmer against farmer. Three western Manitoba producers paid for an inserted advertisement in the Manitoba Co-operator last week accusing the Keystone Agriculture Producers (KAP) of not working to save the Canadian Wheat Board and suggesting KAP members request their […] Read more
Manitoba’s KAP bows out of CWB fight
Keystone Agricultural Producers (KAP), once a steadfast supporter of the Canadian Wheat Board, now accepts the board is going lose its single desk. Manitoba’s largest farm group now wants to ensure farmers benefit from the controversial change, says KAP president Doug Chorney. “We’re just facing the reality of the circumstances that we find ourselves in,” […] Read more
Falcon wheat to remain a Red Winter, for now
CDC Falcon, Manitoba’s most popular winter wheat, remains a milling wheat in the Canada Western Red Winter wheat (CWRW) class until at least Aug. 1, 2013 — and possibly longer. Todd Hyra, SeCan’s business manager for Western Canada, says some farmers are confused about future changes to the CWRW class. CDC Falcon is still a […] Read more
Canadian Cattlemen Presents: Depth of Field
