This extends the $250,000 limit, which was set in March 2025.

Producers can receive an additional $250,000 interest free on canola only for a total of $500,000.

“By increasing the interest-free portion of the Advance Payments Program, we’re helping farmers manage costs, while giving them more flexibility to market their products on their terms,” Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister Heath MacDonald said in an April 1 news release.

The program offers up to $1 million to Canadian farmers based on the expected value of their agricultural products. Twenty-four industry groups across Canada deliver the program.

The Canadian Federation of Agriculture praised the extension of the $250,000 interest-free limit.

“Maintaining the $250,000 interest free portion reflects the realities farmers are facing today,” said CFA president Keith Currie.

“We are seeing continued volatility in input costs, supply chains and global markets, and this type of support is important in helping farmers navigate those pressures.”

“We look forward to continuing to work with government to secure a permanent increase to the interest free portion of the program, so that producers have the predictability they need to make informed business decisions in an increasingly complex operating environment,” he added.

The post Advance Payments Program interest free limit set at $250,000 for 2026 appeared first on Grainews.

“I saw firsthand all of the stress points at that huge hub and that’s certainly, I think, going to be an important priority for the Grain Growers,” said Bruce Burrows.

Burrows, who stepped into the executive director role on April 1, previously worked as president and CEO of the Chamber of Marine Commerce and as vice president and acting president and CEO of the Railway Association of Canada.

WHY IT MATTERS: Grain Growers of Canada is one of the largest national farm organizations in Canada, representing over 100,000 producers through 15 regional groups.

“Given my past roles in both modes, both the marine and rail mode, I’ve got a good deep network,” he said.

He said he sees opportunities to “bring coalition-building to a next level for farmers.”

Burrows also has experience with port infrastructure including the port of Vancouver, a critical exit point for Canadian grain exports. Bottlenecks at that port and other critical infrastructure threaten the sector’s reliability, so it must have a good relationship with the ports and railways in the west.

“We know the canola story well with China, which is a Vancouver story,” Burrows said, “but there are lots of other Asian markets beyond China, which I think the sector wants to target for growth. And that’s very much a West Coast story.”

He said he saw other transport opportunities in places like Thunder Bay.

Consulting and advocacy

Burrows also brings experience in government relations and international trade policy through his work with Tactix Government Relations and BurCan Consulting. He said one of his goals will be to build on the GGC’s reputation to strengthen government relations.

“Fine-tuning our advocacy skills is really critical in the consulting world,” he said. “I’ve learned a few tricks of the trade.”

Burrows looked forward to upcoming trade trips, particularly to the U.S., which he said will be critical.

“If there are some interesting missions that need to be organized, I’ve been part of those things before and (would) be willing to be part of them again.”

“Global trading relations come and go, politicians come and go, but geography doesn’t change,” he said. “So, that U.S.-Canadian relationship is going to be first and foremost.”

He also called Global Affairs Canada and the Trade Commissioner Service underused resources and said he was open to working with them.

Burrows said his first priority in his new role would be to listen.

“I’m going to be in intense learning mode for some time,” he said. “I know I have to walk the field before I start plowing it.”

Burrows said he’s interested to tour farm tours in Western Canada and to meet with farmers one on one.

Grain as a “superpower product”

He said he hopes to encourage the federal government to recognize grain’s importance.

Canada has significant market share in wheat, canola and pulse crops.

“From a broader policy perspective, I’ll be focusing on this so that the federal government understands that opportunity to ensure that grain is considered a Canadian superpower product.”

Burrows said he feels he is entering the sector at a pivotal time as Canada begins to recognize agriculture’s role as more than a basic resource.

“So, how do we leverage this moment?” he said. “I think that’s what’s really driving me, in terms of my interest getting into the role.”

“I think we can step up our game and really demonstrate… how critically important we are in terms of supporting the commitments of Canada going forward.”

Other priorities Burrows listed for his time in the role included:

• Ensuring Canadian grain is considered in the upcoming review of the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement.
• Engaging in labour issues and modernizing labour rules for a more predictable supply chain while respecting collective bargaining agreements.
• Finding ways to use precision agriculture technology to drive productivity and climate resiliency.
• Ensuring the movement of bulk resources at Canadian ports is recognized.

The post Transport, trade, labour top of mind for new Grain Growers of Canada executive director appeared first on Grainews.

Protein Industries Canada (PIC) announced the project on March 31. PIC will provide $1.4 million toward the projects’ $3.9 million price tag.

AGT Foods and Sweet Nutrition will develop pulse ingredients derived from peas, lentils and faba beans for use in food products like cereals, baking mixes and high-protein snacks, PIC said in a news release.

The project will also advance new processing and post-fractionation techniques, including heat-moisture treatment and blending and extrusion. Other goals include increased efficiency and throughput at AGT’s Regina extrusion facility and the expansion and automation of Sweet Nutrition’s Saskatoon, Sask. baking and packaging operations.

“This project is a strong example of how food production and value-added agriculture can unlock new markets for Canadian crops and create new economic value for Canada,” said PIC CEO Tyler Groeneveld in the news release,

PIC is one of Canada’s five, federally-established Global Innovation Clusters, which fund and advance research and development in different industries.

The post Protein Industries Canada funds Saskatchewan pulse ingredient project appeared first on Grainews.

“Presently, tariffs on peas sit at 30 per cent for all countries (Canada included) and lentils sit at roughly 11 per cent for all countries,” Jeff English, vice president, public affairs for Pulse Canada, said about India’s current tariffs in an email to Glacier FarmMedia on March 30.

For daily markets updates, visit the Western Producer Markets Desk

For some time, India suspended its duties on pulses as a means to reduce food inflation, as domestic supply wasn’t quite enough to meet demand. However, with growing pressure from Indian farmers, the country’s government reimposed the levies in late 2025.

English said Pulse Canada will be in a better position to comment after the Indian government has said where it’s going with its pulse duties.

Lentil, pea prices

Heading into that, there has been little effect on pulse cash prices across Western Canada. Prairie Ag Hotwire cited a one cent increase on old crop Laird lentils, ranging from 11.5 to 25 cents per pound delivered depending on size. However, the Lairds have fallen 26 to 30 cents/lb. over the last 12 months.

Cash prices for the Eston, Richlea and French varieties were unchanged over the last week. Estons were 13 to 21.8 cents/lb. delivered and Richleas at 8.5 to 21.8 cents/lb. They as well have experienced sharp declines since a year ago, with declines between 19.3 to 31.3 cents/lb.

Crimson lentils stepped back 1.3 to 1.5 cents on the week at 14 to 25.5 cents/lb. delivered. Over the last 12 months, Crimsons are down 4.5 to cents/lb.

As for dry peas, the greens dropped 50 cents on the week at C$7.50 to C$10/bu. delivered, while the yellows were unchanged at C$7.75 to C$8.55/bu. Over the year, the green have dropped C$7.50/bu. and the yellows slipped C$2.45.

CEPA negotiations, trade mission

English also commented on the state of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement being negotiated between Canada and India.

“…the launch of negotiations is a positive step towards a new bilateral trade relationship. We look forward to playing an active role during these negotiations to ensure that Canada’s pulse sector can benefit from enhanced trade between our two countries,” he said.

Pulse Canada led a delegation to India from March 1-5 with members of other Canadian pulse organizations. The group met with government officials, traders, millers and other industry members, Pulse Canada said in a March 30 report.

“When we sit down with customers and partners in India, it reinforces that Canada is committed for the long haul. That trust is what helps keep our product moving, even when the market gets complicated,” said Terry Youzwa, chair of Pulse Canada, in the report.

According to the report, the clearest takeaway from the mission was that India will continue to need imported pulses. Industry members said the country typically only has a few months’ worth of pulse supply at a time.

“Our job is to stay connected to the market so we can bring that signal back home. That helps farmers understand where the opportunities are – not just this year, but over the long term,” said Shane Strydhorst, Pulse Canada’s vice chair.

-With files from Geralyn Wichers

The post Pulse Weekly: India to make pulse tariff announcement on Tuesday appeared first on Grainews.

Daryl Domitruk, now a research project manager for MPSG, said pulse and soybean prospects in Manitoba have become “very interesting” due to the war in the Middle East as well as speculation over upcoming weather conditions. He added that it is difficult to determine with certainty how many acres will be planted for certain crops.

“What we’ve been seeing is that soybeans are likely to increase in Manitoba. Dry beans are likely to be down and peas are tougher (to determine). We’re expecting similar acreage (from last year) but that could change with the weather,” Domitruk said.

His assessment largely reflected that of Statistics Canada’s latest principal field crop report released earlier this month. Soybean acres in Manitoba were projected at 1.869 million acres this year, up 12.9 per cent from 2025-26. Edible bean acres were projected at 120,000, down 45.6 per cent, while dry pea acres are expected to decline by 40.5 per cent at 116,700.

For daily markets update, visit the Western Producer Markets Desk

Domitruk attributed the drops in dry bean and pea acres to the markets being well-supplied, which resulted in prices going down and seeded area falling.

With shipments of fertilizer and urea being held up due to the war in Iran, farmers may be inclined to grow soybeans and other crops with low fertilizer needs. Domitruk said there is already additional interest from growers.

“That is the only thing that may accelerate bean or soybean acres than what’s already being projected,” he added. “But we need to pay close attention to crop rotations in Manitoba.”

He added that the amount of snow received in central and southern Manitoba this winter could provide the moisture necessary for good growing conditions. However, pulse planting is still restricted to specific windows of time.

“That window only works if seeding for wheat and canola go according to plan,” Domitruk said.

“It’s really difficult when you have so many different factors in play this year between markets, world events, weather and prices for inputs. Weather-wise, we can only assume things will be OK. Of course, it’s not in our hands and we can just see what we get,” he added.

The post Pulse Weekly: War, weather affecting Manitoba pulse prospects appeared first on Grainews.

Burrows has previously served as president and CEO of the Chamber of Marine Commerce and as vice president and acting president and CEO of the Railway Association of Canada. He also has experience in consulting and policy through Tactix Government Relations and BurCan Consulting.

Burrows will assume the role from previous executive director Kyle Larkin, who stepped down in December.

In a Thursday morning written release, Burrows called it “a real honour to join Grain Growers of Canada and represent the interests of grain farmers across the country.”

“Strong advocacy starts with strong connections, and I look forward to strengthening those relationships by working with producers and members across Canada to ensure their priorities continue to be clearly heard in Ottawa,” he said.

Burrows’ role begins April 1.

The post Grain Growers of Canada announces Bruce Burrows as executive director appeared first on Grainews.

Peas

Canada exported 190,480 tonnes of peas in January, which was up by 15 per cent from December, reported StatCan. Year-to-date pea exports of 1.322 million tonnes were running about 200,000 tonnes behind the year-ago pace.

India was the top buyer through six months, accounting for just over 500,000 tonnes of the total pea exports. Bangladesh and China were also major buyers, although Chinese purchases of 104,406 tonnes through January compare with 413,950 tonnes at the same point a year ago.

Lentils

Canadian lentil exports were down 34 per cent in January compared to December, with about 165,342 tonnes moved out of the country. Turkey was the largest destination, accounting for 38 per cent of the total. Crop year-to-date exports of 1.191 million tonnes were down by two per cent on the year.

India was the largest buyer of lentils so far this marketing year, accounting for 30 per cent of the total. Turkey and the United Arab Emirates round out the top three.

Chickpeas

Canada exported about 19,840 tonnes of chickpeas in January, which was down 12 per cent from the previous month. The United States was the largest buyer, accounting for roughly a quarter of the total, followed by Turkey and Pakistan.

Year-to-date chickpea exports at 115,470 tonnes are running 27 per cent ahead of the 2024-25 pace.

The U.S., Turkey and Pakistan were also the top destinations for Canadian chickpeas during the 2025-26 marketing year through January.

The post Pulse weekly: Canadian pea exports up in January, lentils lag appeared first on Grainews.

Chuck Penner, founder of LeftField Commodity Research, spoke at the 2026 Canadian Crops Convention about supply and demand in the Canadian grains sector and how a strong 2025 could lead to a complex 2026.

WHY IT MATTERS: Canadian farmers will soon be planting the 2026 crops, with large old crop supplies complicating the market outlook.

“We talk in ag markets always about cycles,” said Penner. “The market is cycling. And so right now, we’re in a supply-heavy situation. But is that going to continue? I would argue ‘no.’”

“What we have is this comfortable carryover,” he continued noting that can lead to a complacent mindset in grain markets.

Canada produced an aggregated 106 million tonnes of grains, oilseeds, pulses and other crops in 2025, 10 million more than the previous year.

“So, what are we doing with that grain?” Penner asked.

Farmer deliveries are already up three million tonnes over last year. Exports are at 25 million tonnes, up from the five-year average by around 2.5 million.

“That’s good, but it still doesn’t dispose of 10 million tonnes more production,” Penner said. “If we keep this pace up, and there are some really good signs that we will keep this pace up, then we will work that down to some degree.”

Despite what Penner referred to as a “heavy-supply mindset” hanging over the sector, prices are still moving, and he expects them to continue firming up.

Many crops see seasonal price peaks in the spring, but Penner cautioned that those commodities will start to tip over in early summer “and everybody’s going to freak out and talk about the heavy supplies again.”

One problem now is there is not much urgency in attracting acreage.

In tighter supply years, such as after the 2021 drought, buyers were desperate and some started contracting for 2022 new crop in October and November already. However, this year, the sentiment is “we’ll buy it when we need it,” said Penner.

Resolving heavy supply

For some major crops like barley, canola and soybeans, stocks-to-use ratios are wide, but Penner said those ratios will likely be a bit lower at the end of 2026-27.

“There’s a key reason for that,” he said. “What happens when we drop back to either average or to trend yields? It basically wipes out. It’s a far bigger influence on the supply situation for next year than acreage shifts.”

While acreage shifts are interesting, a return to average yields in Western Canada after the bumper crops of 2025-26 would “do a whole lot in terms of resolving the heavy supply situation that we have,” said Penner.

“If we move to an average yield or even a trend yield in those major crops, the supply numbers get close to the five-year average,” he said adding that supplies of oats, corn and soybeans may even become tight.

What to plant this year?

Penner said his recommendation for 2026 was to plant oats.

“If you all rush out and plant oats now, of course that effect is gone. But barley and durum supplies should remain comfortable. It’s the pulses and special crops that are going to take a couple of years to really resolve the heavy supply situation.”

Currently, he said global supplies will favour the buyer.

“2025-26 was a good year globally. No question,” he said. “The question is, can it repeat?”

Penner offered general market thoughts on crops for 2026.

Wheat

Wheat saw record global and Canadian production with prices remaining relatively flat. Penner pointed out wheat is almost never touched by trade disruptions or tariffs. Canada is also exporting durum almost at last year’s record pace, even with strong European and North African crops.

Barley

Barley had a record yield last year with the largest Canadian crop since 2020-21, and prices are rising. Penner said Canada has strong barley exports to countries like China, Japan and Saudi Arabia.

Oats

Penner said the main concern with oats is a weaker export pace. Other export markets like Australia and the U.S., which saw its biggest oat crop in over 10 years, could challenge Canada. He said he thought soft prices could discourage acreage in 2026 and leave Canada with “some really tight supplies of oats.”

Canola

Canola production and yields were strong globally, leading to increased supplies, but according to Penner, “the demand side is the bigger picture.” With the market more certain following U.S. biofuels and potential tariffs, prices have continued to rise. He added if canola drops back to average levels, supplies will tighten and demand will strengthen.

Peas

Peas also had near-record yields in Canada which, combined with a strong Russian crop, have led to a global glut. Though imports from India are not what they have been, Penner said other buyers like China have also stepped in. He said there is a sizable carryover into 2026, especially for green peas.

Lentils

Penner said demand is fairly static for green lentils but could be stronger for red lentils. On both fronts, he said it must get stronger to deal with supply, but it is “hard to see that happening.” He added there is a huge supply of green lentils now hanging over the market, but “the red picture will be more balanced.”

The post Strong 2025 could mean complications for Canadian grain sector in 2026 says analyst appeared first on Grainews.

Dennis Lange, industry development pulses specialist for Manitoba Ag, said in a March 10 interview that any such changes “would be an option for somebody who hasn’t had fertilizer plans set up already.” Lange said if there were to be any alterations, the most likely crops to change to would be soybeans and pulses.

Fertilizer, crude oil prices rise

Fertilizer prices have spiked, following sharp hikes in crude oil prices that started when the United States and Israel attacked Iran on Feb. 28.

The day before, urea futures on the Chicago Board of Trade were about US$442 per tonne in the nearby contracts. By March 3, urea hit US$590 and closed March 10 at US$585.

In comparison, the April contract for West Texas Intermediate jumped from US$67 per barrel on Feb. 27, to almost US$95 six days later. On March 9, WTI topped out at more than US$119/barrel before closing at around US$83.50.

Fall fertilizer

Lange said Manitoba farmers managed to get down a good amount of fertilizer in the fall after a number of extensions to the application deadline following frequent rains.

“For now, I don’t foresee any big swings because there was a fair bit of fertilizer that went down last fall, on the nitrogen side anyways,” Lange said.

He added that growers will likely keep to their crop rotations and give consideration to weed issues, especially when it comes to planting peas.

“It’s the status quo for the most part, but if there’s unseeded acres or unplanned acres, that might be a shift to the crop set that might be more economical,” Lange said.

StatCan forecast

On March 5, Statistics Canada issued its planted area projections for 2026/27 and forecast less pulse acres for Manitoba while soybeans are to increase.

The post Manitoba farmers not too likely to change planting plans appeared first on Grainews.

The Farmers Equity Trust was created in 2015 as a condition of the sale of the CWB to G3 Canada Ltd.

Ten years later, the trust units have been fully allocated.

“It is momentous,” said trust chair Kevin Augusta. “It is definitely a signpost along the way for the trust.”

The trust owns 499,000 Class B shares in G3, which were originally valued at $210.2 million.

That represented a 49.9 per cent ownership stake in the company at the time the trust was created on July 31, 2015.

These days, the ownership stake is closer to 20 per cent.

“Over time, G3 has spent a whack of money building new inland terminals and a new export terminal in Vancouver,” said Augusta.

The majority shareholders, which are Bunge Global SA and SALIC Canada Ltd., contributed all the cash for that expansion in return for additional equity in the firm.

The trust has no money to invest, so its percentage ownership in G3 has been diluted over time.

“We have a lower percentage of a bigger entity than we did on day one,” he said.

WHY IT MATTERS: Many Prairie farmers have an ownership stake in G3 Canada.

Units in the trust are issued to eligible farmers who have delivered grain to G3 and to the former wheat board. There are about 28,000 unit holders in Western Canada.

Farmers who delivered grain to the board between Aug. 1, 2013, and July 31, 2015, are eligible for units in addition to those who delivered grain to G3 after its inception on Aug. 1, 2015.

When the trust was formed, G3 estimated it would take seven to 10 years to allocate all the units.

“That’s about what it took,” said Augusta.

Units are reserved for any farmer who delivered grain and are issued to those who complete an eligibility certificate.

Are you…?

Statements are issued annually to those with reserved units, asking them to complete a certificate comprising two questions: are you a resident of Western Canada and are you a taxpayer?

However, many farmers have not completed the certificate. About half of the total allocated units are still reserved and have not yet been issued.

Augusta wishes more farmers would complete the eligibility certificate.

“Sign it and send it back. It’s not onerous,” he said.

There are no tax implications at the time the units are issued and no costs to the farmer. However, there will be a capital gain incurred once they are redeemed.

There are four ways to redeem the trust units:

• Farmers can request redemption upon reaching age 75 for units held for at least three years.
• The estate can request redemption upon the death of a unit holder. “We are receiving many, many such redemption request these days,” said Augusta.
• If the other G3 shareholders purchase the trust shares at fair market value, an option that kicked in at the end of seven years of the company’s existence. “So far, they haven’t shown any indications that they’re desirous of doing that,” he said.
• If the majority shareholders in G3 decide to sell their interest in the firm. “Our shares would get dragged along in any transaction on the same terms and conditions,” said Augusta.

Redemptions

The trust board considers redemptions once a year. Trust units are currently valued at $3.40 per unit. That number changes quarterly based on a mathematical formula.

“Sometimes we hear grumblings that farmers can’t necessarily redeem their units when they want, and that’s true,” said Augusta.

“It was never designed to be a liquid investment.”

Once a unit is redeemed, it is cancelled. They do not get reissued.

Annual redemptions these days total much more than $500,000 per year.

That could eventually prove problematic because the government originally provided $4.6 million to manage the trust, and that fund has dwindled over time.

Augusta declined to divulge how much remains in the fund. At some point, the trust will not have the means to redeem any more units, in which case they will have to issue promissory notes.

There is always the possibility that the fund could receive an injection of cash if the other G3 shareholders make an offer to purchase the trust shares or if G3 is sold to another buyer.

If that happens, the net proceeds will be distributed to all the issued units. The reserved units that belong to farmers who have not bothered to fill out their eligibility certificates will not participate in the distribution of proceeds.

“That farmer will get nothing,” said Augusta.

The post G3’s Farmers Equity Trust hits full allocation appeared first on Grainews.