(Government of Alberta via Flickr)

Alta. to tweak farm worker bill for ‘clarity’

With consultations only just out of the gate and the legislation awaiting second reading, the Alberta government already plans to amend Bill 6, its farm and ranch worker protection bill, for “greater clarity.” While not mentioning recent vocal protests over the bill, provincial Labour Minister Lori Sigurdson announced Tuesday the bill will be amended to “make clear what […] Read more


Saskatchewan’s wheat and barley development commissions back research and market development work, supported by grower-funded levies. (Jack Dykinga photo courtesy ARS/USDA)

Minogue: Campaigning heats up Sask. commodity board elections

Elections at the commodity association board level in Saskatchewan, often known for a landslide lack of interest, may get goosed this year with candidates investing bigger stakes in their campaigns. Ballots have been mailed out and board elections are now underway for the Saskatchewan Wheat Development Commission (SaskWheat) and the Saskatchewan Barley Development Commission (SaskBarley). […] Read more



Russian harvesting technology has advanced beyond that illustrated in this Soviet-era poster.

Black Sea in it for the long haul

The Former Soviet Union, once Canada's largest wheat customer, is now its largest competitor

Black Sea wheat exports are projected at an all-time high this year, and there is good reason to have confidence in this forecast. During the 2015/16 marketing year, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) estimates that the states of the former Soviet Union excluding Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia (FSU-12) will export a record 45 million […] Read more

(Canada Beef Inc. photo)

Feed: Frost pressures Australian barley

CNS Canada –– Following are a few highlights in the Canadian and world feed grains markets on Tuesday, Oct. 20. • The Grains Industry of Western Australia is predicting the area will harvest a 3.19 million-tonne barley crop in 2015-16. However, some recent frosts are casting questions on whether that mark will be reached. • […] Read more


Feed: Ukraine, U.S. corn harvest advancing

CNS Canada — Following are a few highlights in the Canadian and world feed grains markets on Friday, Oct. 16. • CBOT corn futures were posting small losses at midday Friday, with the December contract quoted at US$3.74 per bushel, as the advancing U.S. harvest and relatively favourable yield reports weighed on values. • Ukraine […] Read more

AB InBev’s operations include Alexander Keith’s maker, Halifax-based Oland Breweries, which became part of Labatt in 1971. (Keiths.ca)

Rivals see local battles, not global war, with new beer giant

Copenhagen/Brussels | Reuters — The prospect of a new competitor that produces one third of an entire industry’s output would normally terrify rival companies, but brewing is different. The very local nature of lagers and ales, and the fact that a price war is seen as unlikely, mean global market leader Anheuser-Busch InBev’s imminent takeover […] Read more


Feed: Russia may plant more feed, U.K. less

CNS Canada — Following are a few highlights in the Canadian and world feed grains markets on Wednesday, Oct. 14. • CBOT corn futures were down by two to three cents per bushel (US$) at midday Wednesday, as the advancing U.S. harvest and relatively favourable yield reports weighed on values. • Barley futures on India’s […] Read more