John Stackhouse is a senior vice-president of Royal Bank of Canada and author of the Farmer 4.0 report that delves into the transformation of agriculture. Stackhouse was a participant in a panel discussion on innovation and resilience in agriculture at the Canadian Federation of Agriculture annual meeting in Ottawa on March 7. He sat down […] Read more
Charting Canada’s agricultural path forward
Pulse weekly outlook: Manitoba growers not worried about Merit situation
Pea, canola protein processor in receivership
MarketsFarm — After Manitoba-based plant protein processor Merit Functional Foods went into receivership last Wednesday, Manitoba Pulse and Soybean Growers (MPSG) executive director Daryl Domitruk said it is not a microcosm of the province’s pulse industry. Domitruk said MPSG learned about Merit’s financial situation through the media. He also added that some Manitoba pea growers […] Read more
U.S. demands formal trade talks with Mexico over GMO corn dispute
U.S. says new rules a breach of CUSMA
Chicago/Washington | Reuters — The United States requested formal trade consultations with Mexico on Monday over U.S. objections to its southern neighbour’s plans to limit imports of genetically modified corn and other agricultural biotechnology products. The U.S. Trade Representative’s office announced the request for technical talks after months of informal discussions with Mexican officials over […] Read more
Farmers hear from national political leaders
For the first time since at least 1980, according to a long-time member of the Parliamentary Press Gallery, a sitting Prime Minister has spoken to the annual meeting of the Canadian Federation of Agriculture (CFA). Liberal leader and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was a last minute addition to the agenda, joining Conservative Party leader Pierre […] Read more
CN’s mechanics vote in favour of strike action
Company says rail operations 'will continue'
Unionized mechanics and clerical workers at Canadian National Railway (CN) have voted their support for strike action which CN says will not affect operations. Ballots from members of Unifor Local 100 and Unifor Council 4000 went 98 and 97 per cent in support of strike action, in votes held over the past two weeks, Unifor […] Read more
U.S. grains: Wheat below US$7 on hopes for Ukraine export extension
CBOT corn down, soybeans up
Chicago | Reuters — Benchmark Chicago wheat futures dropped below US$7 per bushel on Monday for the first time in 17 months, pressured by reminders of adequate global supplies and optimism that the safe corridor to export grain from war-torn Ukraine will be extended, traders said. Corn futures also declined. But soybeans rose as Chicago […] Read more
U.S. livestock: CME feeder cattle set contract high on tightening supplies
Chicago live cattle also up, lean hogs down
Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Mercantile Exchange feeder cattle futures jumped to a new contract high on Monday on firm cash prices and increasing concerns about reduced U.S. herd numbers, analysts said. Traders focused on tighter cattle supplies as demand from meatpackers for livestock to slaughter remained strong. Ranchers have reduced herd sizes due to […] Read more
Record winter crop production expected for Australia
Summer crop production seen down on year
MarketsFarm — Australia will see its highest-ever winter crop production thanks to record wheat and canola harvests, according to the latest crop report from the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences (ABARES) released Monday. Winter crop production in Australia is estimated at 67.6 million tonnes, up 8.4 per cent from ABARES’ crop […] Read more
The path to attracting workers
[UPDATED: Mar. 6, 2023] Farm labour was a hot topic at the annual meeting of the Canadian Federation of Agriculture in Ottawa March 6 and 7. Jennifer Wright, executive director of the Canadian Agricultural Human Resources Council, led a panel discussion that delved into the size and scope of the issue and some of the […] Read more
Merit Foods stakeholder looking to buy company
Burcon 'actively engaged' with company's receiver
One of the joint-venture owners of Winnipeg pea and canola protein processor Merit Functional Foods says it’s in talks to buy full control of the cash-strapped company. Two days after Merit entered a court-ordered receivership, Vancouver-based Burcon NutraScience announced Friday it “intends to submit a formal proposal to acquire the business.” Burcon said Merit’s receivership […] Read more
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
