Stewart Collin took this photo of a field south of Foremost, Alta., on April 23, 2018. He estimates at least 15 per cent of his acres won’t get seeded this year.

Farmers hoping for a balance in moisture

As spring finally takes hold, producers report a wide range of seeding conditions

The 2018 seeding season is starting out as a Goldilocks year for many western Canadian farmers — with conditions ranging from too dry, or too wet, they are looking for that middle ground that is “just right.” Producers in parts of Manitoba and southern Saskatchewan are reporting enough moisture to get the crop started, but […] Read more





U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer walks toward reporters ahead of a meeting with his Canadian and Mexican counterparts to discuss talks on modernizing the NAFTA trade deal, in Washington, D.C. on May 11. (Photo: Reuters/David Ljunggren)

Negotiators fail to reach NAFTA deal

Washington | Reuters — Senior U.S., Canadian and Mexican officials on Friday ended a week of talks without a deal to modernize NAFTA, agreeing instead to resume negotiations soon, ahead of a deadline next week issued by U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Paul Ryan. The failure to secure a quick deal underscores uncertainty over the […] Read more



Ford’s 2018 Super Duty King Ranch Crew Cab pickup. (Ford.com)

Ford scrambles to restart truck production after fire at supplier

Detroit | Reuters — Ford Motor Co. is working with a key supplier to shift some parts production from Michigan to Ontario, after a fire and subsequent parts shortages forced the automaker to halt manufacturing of its highly profitable full-size pickups, according to sources familiar with the companies’ plans. The supplier, Chinese-owned Meridian Magnesium Products, […] Read more



(Toyota.ca)

‘Progress’ seen by ministers at NAFTA talks, but breakthrough elusive

Washington | Reuters — Canadian, Mexican and U.S. officials hailed progress on revamping the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) on Tuesday as efforts focused on crafting new rules for the auto sector, but there was no sign of a major breakthrough. Canadian Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland, U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer and Mexican Economy […] Read more