Canada must prepare for a future featuring a less friendly trade environment, says a new policy note authored by two leading policy analysts. Al Mussell and Ted Bilyea, researchers at Agri-Food Economic Systems Research, said the recent action by China on Canadian canola illustrates their point.

Researchers call for rapid adaptation to global trade environment

Grain commission revokes Purely Canada licence
The Canadian Grain Commission has revoked the licences of Purely Canada Foods.

Jasper fires force trains to go slow
CN has resumed service but at a reduced speed through the area
The Canadian National Railway line through Jasper, Alta,. is open, but trains are moving slowly due to the wildfire that destroyed a significant part of the community this week. The implications for grain movement are unknown, but unloads are already down at the port of Vancouver.

Ag ministers discuss BRM changes
Canada’s agriculture ministers wrapped up their annual meeting in Whitehorse Friday saying they continue to look at changes to business risk management programs to make them more responsive.

Carbon tax rebate available to farms with employees
The Canada Carbon Rebate for Small Businesses was announced in this year’s federal budget, and while details are still scant, it will return a portion of the price on pollution through a refundable tax credit.

Leon Manufacturing for sale
Yorkton manufacturer's assets for sale as part of receivership process
The company, along with Ram Industries Inc., was placed in receivership June 11 after numerous financial difficulties were reported and the company missed payments to BMO. It owes BMO more than $16.6 million.

FCC invests in breeding innovation
Farm Credit Canada has invested $5 million into the accelerated breeding program at the Global Institute for Food Security.

Cattle producers wary of grasslands conservation proposal
Glacier FarmMedia – Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association members want the Canadian Cattle Association to press pause on its Grasslands Conservation Initiative until it can better communicate its plan. Several resolutions about the initiative were debated during the SSGA annual meeting June 11 and while some were defeated members did approve one calling on CCA to […] Read more

Biosecurity bill draws questions from Senate ag committee
Some senators said the bill should cover everyone who enters a livestock operation because anyone can pose a biosecurity threat
Senate scrutiny has begun on Bill C-275, the private member's bill to amend the Health of Animals Act, which would increase fines for those who unlawfully enter livestock barns and processing facilities.

Soil should be a strategic national asset: Senate committee
The two-year study of Canada’s soils is now complete and recognizes that while conservation efforts over recent decades have been tremendous there is still more to be done
The Critical Ground: Why Soil is Essential to Canada’s Economic, Environmental, Human and Social Health report said Canada requires an overarching strategy to collect better data. It says a national soils institute database that shares information with provinces, academics and producers should be established.