(Dave Bedard photo)

Cost index up for CN, down for CP in grain revenue formula

CP expects lower labour costs, CN higher

Expected labour costs were the major difference in a new ruling on the index that determines how much revenue each of Canada’s big two railways get to keep in the coming crop year from hauling Prairie grain. The Canadian Transportation Agency (CTA) on Thursday announced its decisions on the volume-related composite price index (VRCPI) for […] Read more



(Thinkstock photo)

Federal budget plays to mixed reviews from ag groups

Funding for green initiatives, carbon pricing rebate plan hailed

The Canadian Federation of Agriculture (CFA) says it is “pleased” the 2021 federal budget included some of the recommendations it had made. Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland’s first budget, released April 19, included significant spending to help producers transition to a greener economy and cited agriculture as a foundational pillar of Canada’s future. “CFA will be […] Read more

Screengrab from a 2019 video profiling a day in the life of an Agropur bulk milk grader. (Agropur Cooperative via YouTube)

Agropur to shed bulk milk handling in Quebec, Nova Scotia

Unnamed buyers to take over Quebec milk runs

Dairy co-operative Agropur is stepping away from hauling farmers’ milk in two of the provinces where it does business. The Quebec company announced Monday it would sell its Quebec bulk milk hauling business to unnamed “companies whose core business is transporting liquid food products,” and would also halt its milk transport work in Nova Scotia. […] Read more


The book chronicles the history of a great Canadian company and its role in the design, manufacture, distribution and sale of trucks, construction and agricultural equipment in Canada.

Book details International Harvester’s Canadian history

Former employees relate stories about their time at the brand

Here at Grainews, we like to profile books that offer interesting looks behind the scenes at machinery brands when we find them. Now, a book that came to our attention a few years ago called A History and Memories of International Harvester Canada, 1903-1985 is available for sale online, which makes it much easier to […] Read more

Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland arrives to a news conference prior to delivering the budget in the House of Commons in Ottawa on April 19, 2021. (Photo: Reuters/Blair Gable)

Federal budget to offer direct payments to farmers for carbon pricing

Other new 'green growth' funding also on deck

The federal government’s 2021 budget offers up new spending to support farmers combatting climate change through targeted investments — and, in some cases, direct payments. Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland released the budget Monday, showing the majority of new spending will take place over three years and be largely focused on “green growth.” “Budget 2021 announces […] Read more


Conservative Party leader Erin O’Toole speaks at Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Nov. 19, 2020. (File photo: Reuters/Blair Gable)

Conservatives’ new climate plan puts price on carbon

New poll ranks carbon tax costs highest among farmers' springtime concerns

Canada’s ag sector is expected to serve as a carbon sink, a renewable fuel source and a beneficiary in the federal Conservative Party’s new climate change plan — which now includes putting a price on carbon. Party leader Erin O’Toole announced the new plan Thursday — after a long campaign of vehemently opposing such policy. […] Read more

Federal Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland appears at a news conference in Ottawa on Sept. 24, 2020. (Photo: Reuters/Blair Gable)

Agriculture, agrifood wish lists pile up ahead of long-delayed budget

Freeland's budget due out Monday afternoon

Agriculture and agrifood sector stakeholders will learn Monday which of their requests make their way out of the pile and into a long-awaited federal budget. Federal Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland’s 2021 budget is scheduled to be released Monday in the House of Commons, at about 4 p.m. ET. Canadians didn’t get a 2020 budget: it […] Read more


John Deere has updated the three models in its 9R tractor line.

John Deere refreshes its 9 tractor series

More power and a heavier chassis for Deere’s flagship line

More power, more weight, more cab space and more technology. That about sums up what John Deere has in store for model year 2022, 9 series tractors. And the more power part now pushes the largest articulated 9R and 9RX models to the pole position in the industry’s horsepower race. The model numbering format for […] Read more

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On-farm cybersecurity campaign gets backing

Glacier FarmMedia to link up with federally-funded project

A campaign to assess, reinforce and promote cybersecurity across Canada’s ag sector — partly through this website and its sister publications and events — has been tapped to receive multi-year federal funding. Public Safety Minister Bill Blair on March 25 announced over $500,000 over four years through the federal Cyber Security Co-operation Program for the […] Read more