Canada’s biggest dairy processor has logged a substantial boost in its year-end bottom line, partly through “rationalization” in its Canadian business and increased Canadian fluid milk sales. Montreal-based Saputo posted $288.2 million in net earnings on $5.06 billion in revenue in its fiscal 2008 ending March 31, the company reported Thursday. Earnings were up 20.9 […] Read more
Saputo profit rises on “rationalization”
Viterra braces for GSU vote
While hopeful it will reach a new agreement with over 850 unionized employees, grain handler Viterra says its plans are in place in case of a summer strike or lockout. Viterra and the Grain Services Union (GSU) will wrap up 60 days of conciliation talks Tuesday as GSU employees continue to vote at meetings on […] Read more
CWB poll subject to interpretation
Whether you support a single marketing desk or a deregulated market for Prairie barley and wheat, the Canadian Wheat Board’s new survey of Prairie farmers offers a little something for everyone. The poll, conducted by phone in the three Prairie provinces in March by the Gandalf Group and released Friday by the CWB, shows both […] Read more
Aid package leads Alta. livestock “transition”
Cash-strapped Alberta livestock producers can expect $150 million in immediate aid payments, with another $150 million where that came from if they help create a provincial brand for their meat by setting up age verification and premises ID systems. On top of that aid package, announced Thursday by provincial Agriculture Minister George Groeneveld, is $56 […] Read more
Manitoba doubles hog farmer loan limit
The Manitoba government has doubled the maximum loan available under its hog assistance loan program to $5 million. “We’ve monitored the program, we know larger hog operations need to maintain higher cash flows and we are responding to that reality,” provincial Agriculture Minister Rosann Wowchuk said in a release Thursday. “We have also extended the […] Read more
CWB files Charter challenge of “gag order”
A federal order-in-council that directs the Canadian Wheat Board not to use its farmer-funded budget on any advocacy for the single grain marketing desk it operates, is headed to a court challenge. The CWB announced in a press release Thursday that it filed notice Tuesday in Federal Court to question the “constitutional validity” of the […] Read more
“Buy P.E.I.” local food initiative launched
Prince Edward Island will help fund market development and promotion for Island farmers’ food products as part of a new “Buy P.E.I.” initiative launched Thursday. The initiative, part of a $500,000 allocation in April’s provincial budget, is expected to help producers and businesses in marketing and promotion, promote P.E.I. food’s benefits for farmers and the […] Read more
Stolen laptop had canola growers’ data
Their financial data isn’t likely to be stolen, but canola growers in five provinces have been warned that the computer containing it was. Several Prairie media outlets on Thursday reported that a laptop belonging to the Canadian Canola Growers Association was stolen in late March after it was taken off-site for maintenance. According to the […] Read more
Agrium fined over Sask. miner injury
A potash mine rockfall that left a miner paraplegic will cost fertilizer firm Agrium a $234,000 fine, a Saskatchewan court ruled Wednesday. The penalty follows an incident in late August 2006 at the Calgary company’s potash mine at Vanscoy, about 25 km southwest of Saskatoon. CBC, which identified the worker as Paul Goddard, reported Wednesday […] Read more
Alta. beekeepers report high overwintering losses
Higher-than-normal loads of mites that have built up resistance to pesticides have helped lead to higher-than-normal rates of winterkill in Alberta bees, according to the provincial apiculturist. Alberta producers are seeing about 25 per cent overwintering losses, the province said, compared to the normal 15-20 per cent range. “The hardest hit regions are the Peace […] Read more
Canadian Cattlemen Presents: Depth of Field
