Canadians returned Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to Parliament Hill, but in a minority situation and a duration that depends on how long the political parties can agree to work together.

Comment: Another federal election in the books

The 2019 federal election is done and gone, leaving the country with a Liberal minority government and some strong feelings. It will also leave the beef industry looking for common ground with elected officials from various parties, at least for the next couple of years. These days, the way to a Liberal or NDP MP’s […] Read more

Photo: Canada Beef Inc/Getty Images

China to resume imports of Canadian beef and pork

Reuters – China will resume imports of Canadian beef and pork, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said on Tuesday, some four months after Beijing blocked shipments amid an escalating diplomatic feud between the two countries. “Good news for Canadian farmers today: Canadian pork and beef exports to China will resume,” Trudeau tweeted. The Chinese embassy in […] Read more





The Canola Council of Canada hopes Canada and China’s first meeting on the canola seed dispute will lead to a resumption of Canadian canola seed exports to what was Canada’s biggest export customer.  Photo: File/Greg Berg

Canada, China meet over canola stalemate

[UPDATED: Oct. 31, 2019] Glacier FarmMedia – Canada and China finally had a face-to-face meeting *Oct. 28 in Geneva on China’s de facto import ban of Canadian canola seed. The private consultation under the auspices of the World Trade Organization (WTO) went well, according to Brian Innes, the Canola Council of Canada’s *vice-president of public […] Read more

A group of oil tankers moored at a Texas oil refinery just outside of Houston, Texas.  Photo: ArtWager/E+/Getty Images

Oil vs Corn: U.S. lawmakers set hearing on fractious biofuels policy

The U.S. oil and corn industries will continue a long-running public battle over America’s biofuels policy on Tuesday during a Congressional hearing about the Trump administration’s use of “secret waivers” for refineries. The hearing set by the Energy and Commerce Committee will air out the grievances of two key political constituencies heading into next year’s […] Read more


Excessive amounts of fall moisture in the form of rain and snow has practically ensured that grain drying will be necessary for any remaining crops to be harvested.  Photo: File

Carbon costs affecting grain drying for Prairie farmers

Opponents say the rebates won't fully cover the additional costs farmers must pay

Glacier FarmMedia – Farmers in Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta struggling to get their crops harvested will also be paying higher costs for drying thanks to the federal carbon levy. While the federal carbon price offers relief for gasoline and light fuel oil costs used in tractors and trucks, there is no exemption for grain drying […] Read more

Canadian International Trade Diversification Minister Jim Carr speaks at the first China-Canada economic and financial strategy dialogue in Beijing on Nov. 12, 2018.  Photo: Reuters/Jason Lee/Pool

Key federal minister in Canada/China dispute fighting cancer

Just days after two senior cabinet ministers from the Prairies were defeated in Monday’s federal election, the Liberal government is now facing the possibility of a third stepping away from cabinet. International Trade Diversification Minister Jim Carr from Manitoba announced on Friday that he has been diagnosed with a type of blood cancer known as […] Read more


Recommendations for the federal government to help grow the Canadian beef industry comes down to six factors.

CCA Reports: Outlining recommendations for the new federal government

From the October 2019 issue of Canadian Cattlemen

Shortly after this column is published, we may have a new federal government. In our role representing Canadian beef farmers and ranchers from coast to coast, the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association (CCA) looks forward to working with not only the leading party, but all parties, to advance the profitability and sustainability goals of our industry. Contributing […] Read more

Palace intrigue affects pigs and cows

Free Market Reflections with Steve Dittmer

It would seem a long way from the ancient halls of China’s government in Beijing to hog producers or ranchers and feeders in Canada. But such are the vagaries of global trade. I thought the U.S. trade situation was leaning towards the crazy. Now Canada has almost inadvertently become embroiled in something akin to a James […] Read more