A tiny North American moth species that has been seen in Canada has been developing a new appetite for soybean plants on the U.S. Plains. The species, Macrosaccus morrisella — now officially named the soybean tentiform leafminer — was detected feeding on soybean crops in eastern Minnesota in 2021 and has since taken its newfound […] Read more
Native insect acquires taste for soy
What's now called the soybean tentiform leafminer is moving north
Editor’s Rant: Yeah, write
In the weeks since I’ve been back at the Grainews desk I’ve had a few people inquire whether we’re looking for material. Answer: yes. Always were. Always are. You’ve probably noticed over the last few years we don’t lead with the phrase “Written by farmers, for farmers” anymore. That’s not to imply farmers somehow all […] Read more
Editor’s Rant: A process story
Editor’s note, Jan. 30, 2024: This item was written and went to press before Bill C-234 came back up for discussion in the House of Commons on Jan. 29, in consideration of the Senate’s amendments. Some decades ago my grandmother and I were having a conversation about what I hoped to do in life. If […] Read more
Editor’s Rant: In good company
So for weeks I’d been planning to fill this space with a tirade about last month’s cynical-yet-predictable developments in Ottawa on Bill C-234, but when Linamar went public with its plan to buy Bourgault Industries I got distracted by developments closer to home, so to speak. In case you missed the news shortly before Christmas, […] Read more
Editor’s Rant: The cure for success
If I were asked to choose a favourite old adage about farming, I’d make up any excuse to avoid doing so. If pressed further, I’d offer up a classic such as “The cure for high prices is high prices.” As adages go, that one has it all: a caution to make hay while the sun […] Read more
Editor’s Column: Live and learn, it beats the alternative
Here’s the thing: I knew I wanted this column to be about learning, but after sitting here staring for far too long at the screen, blank except for that title and my name — pausing only to fall down a search rabbit hole about the origin of the word “poseur” — I figured I’d better […] Read more
Major strawberry plant producer changes hands
New owners get funding to buy Lareault business
The Quebec company billed as Canada’s largest producer of strawberry plants has picked up new ownership after nearly 70 years. Production Lareault, based on just over 450 acres at Lavaltrie, Que. — about 40 km northeast of Montreal, in the province’s Lanaudiere region — has been acquired by investors Antoine Casimir and Andrea Borodenko for […] Read more
Merit Foods pays off operating lender, no deal yet for plant
Plant-based protein processor in receivership since March
A Winnipeg pea and canola protein processor in receivership since this spring remains mothballed for now with no firm buyer — but has paid off one of its three secured creditors. Merit Functional Foods, which entered receivership March 1 after just two years’ operation, has sold all its remaining finished and raw inventory and directed […] Read more
PigTrace tag prices go up Dec. 15
Program costs 'unsustainable' without price increase
One of the prices producers pay for hog traceability will be going up 10 per cent. The Manitoba Pork Council said in a notice to producers Wednesday that the Canadian Pork Council will apply a 10 per cent increase to the prices of PigTrace ear tags and accessories, effective Dec. 15. Table: PigTrace ear tag […] Read more
Feds plan to ease Underused Housing Tax reporting load
New exemption also proposed for employee housing outside cities
Federal Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland’s latest Fall Economic Statement offers to take some of the reporting burden off certain farmers and other Canadians when filing for exemptions from the national Underused Housing Tax (UHT). The federal finance department on Nov. 16 posted its legislative and regulatory proposals for changes to the UHT online and has […] Read more
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