Senate scrutiny has begun on Bill C-275, the private member's bill to amend the Health of Animals Act, which would increase fines for those who unlawfully enter livestock barns and processing facilities.
Biosecurity bill draws questions from Senate ag committee
Some senators said the bill should cover everyone who enters a livestock operation because anyone can pose a biosecurity threat
Soil should be a strategic national asset: Senate committee
The two-year study of Canada’s soils is now complete and recognizes that while conservation efforts over recent decades have been tremendous there is still more to be done
The Critical Ground: Why Soil is Essential to Canada’s Economic, Environmental, Human and Social Health report said Canada requires an overarching strategy to collect better data. It says a national soils institute database that shares information with provinces, academics and producers should be established.
Farm groups criticize capital gains inclusion rate change
Ten national organizations say several tax-related changes in the 2024 federal budget will impact farmers
In a May 27 letter to finance minister Chrystia Freeland, agriculture minister Lawrence MacAulay and national revenue minister Marie-Claude Bibeau, 10 signatories said they are concerned about the capital gains inclusion rate, the Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT) and the Canadian Entrepreneurs’ Incentive (CEI), which were all announced in April.
Railway strike vote dismays farmers
Grain Growers of Canada calls on railways, workers to resolve their differences
Grain Growers of Canada is sounding the alarm over a potential strike by workers at both of the country’s major railways.
Calls to eliminate the carbon tax grow after the April 1 increase
Opposition to the federal price on pollution ramped up last week as several premiers called for a meeting with the prime minister to discuss the issue.
Producers welcome change to cash advance program
After much lobbying, federal government increases interest-free portion of program to $250,000
The interest-free portion of the federal Advance Payments Program will be $250,000 this year, much to farmers’ relief. The amount had been set to drop back to $100,000 at the end of this month after sitting at $350,000 for 2023.
Bill to protect supply management unlikely to harm trade talks
Former agriculture trade negotiator said the legislation is more symbolic
Long-time Canadian trade negotiator Steve Verheul says Bill C-282 is a political signal and not likely to threaten future deals.
CFA delegates want interest-free portion of APP back at higher limit
Politicians grilled on intentions toward carbon price exemption bill
Federal agriculture minister Lawrence MacAulay said Feb. 27 he couldn’t move the interest-free portion of the Advance Payment Program back up to $350,000.
Automating heat detection
Researchers test whether monitoring technology will predict reproductive cycles
Glacier FarmMedia — Labour challenges on cattle farms could be alleviated by sensors now being tested to help detect females in heat. Dr. Dinesh Dadarwal, a veterinarian and assistant professor in large animal science at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine, says the Livestock and Forage Centre of Excellence tests technology so producers can make […] Read more
Feds reduce interest-free portion of cash advance
Increases implemented over the last few years have been discontinued, leaving farmers to pay higher interest cost
Farmers applying for spring cash advances should be aware the interest-free portion has dropped back to 2021 levels.
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
