Canada Archives - Page 43 of 65

File photo of hogs in transit near Red Deer, Alta. (Stefonlinton/iStock/Getty Images)

Canada’s pork sector up to speed, aware of challenges

Processing plants enhancing biosecurity; producers being urged to watch their stress levels

By Alexis Kienlen, GFM Network News April 3, 2020

They’re adding protective plexiglass shields, bringing in trailers to separate groups of workers, and boosting communication on biosecurity. It’s all part of an ongoing effort to ensure pork processing plants aren’t disrupted by COVID-19. “I’m very impressed by our packers, and for the workers for coming to work every day and being there and realizing […] Read more

Dairy Cattle, Livestock

Pandemic planning leads to staff cuts at Agropur

Dairy co-operative enters 'business continuity' mode

By Glacier FarmMedia staff, GFM Network News April 3, 2020

Dairy co-operative Agropur’s “business continuity” plan against the COVID-19 pandemic calls for job cuts and layoffs for about three per cent of its total workforce. Longueuil, Que.-based Agropur announced Thursday it will eliminate 60 positions and temporarily lay off another 200 employees, all from its Canadian operations. In the “unprecedented context” of COVID-19, Agropur said […] Read more

(Photo courtesy Canola Council of Canada)

Canola, Crops, Markets

Canola dockage agreement with China expires, but limited exports to continue

Most remaining shipments meet Beijing's requirement

By Allan Dawson, GFM Network News March 31, 2020

Exports of Canadian canola seed exports to China will continue, at the same reduced pace seen since March last year — but only if it contains less than one per cent dockage. A memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the two countries allowing higher dockage ends Tuesday (March 31), a Canadian government official said in an […] Read more

(File photo courtesy Canola Council of Canada)

Canola, Crops, Markets, Reuters

China to resume imports of Canadian canola, sources report

By GFM Network News March 31, 2020

Beijing | Reuters — China has agreed to allow imports of Canadian canola to resume, two sources briefed on the matter told Reuters on Tuesday, lifting a ban in place since March 2019 that had halted US$2 billion worth of trade. The agreement was reached during a call held by China’s customs administration and Canada’s […] Read more

General, Markets

Ottawa expected to ‘officially’ declare ag an essential service

The Western Grain Elevator Association says that designation will clarify things and help to keep grain moving

By Allan Dawson, GFM Network News March 30, 2020

Canada’s grain industry expects the federal government will soon officially declare agriculture an essential service. Wade Sobkowich, executive director of the Western Grain Elevator Association (WGEA), says that designation will have a practical application. “Hopefully it ends all confusion about grain workers at elevators, railway workers and anybody else required for moving grain, as to […] Read more

(Canada Border Services Agency video screengrab)

General, Machinery, Markets

Cross-border truckers exempt from mandatory isolation

TFWs coming to Canada won't be exempt from new rule

By Glacier FarmMedia staff, GFM Network News March 27, 2020

Truckers and others who are still allowed to cross into Canada on essential business are exempt from a new two-week self-isolation rule for people arriving in the country. Health Minister Patty Hajdu on Wednesday announced an emergency order under the federal Quarantine Act, requiring anyone who’s entering Canada by land, air or sea to self-isolate […] Read more

Gordon Harrison. (Manitoba Co-operator file photo by Allan Dawson)

Cereals, Crops

Lots of flour to go around, millers’ association says

System is 'doing extremely well' and should have no problem keeping up with demand, CNMA's Gordon Harrison says

By Alexis Kienlen, GFM Network News March 25, 2020

The grain supply chain is working as it should during the COVID-19 pandemic, says the president of the Canadian National Millers Association. “From the milling industry vantage point, the movement of grain from farm to the producer to the elevator systems to mills is doing extremely well,” Gordon Harrison said Tuesday. “The grain supply chain […] Read more

General, Machinery

‘Essential’ travel rule fuzzy on farmers picking up parts, inputs

U.S. border officers will have final say on Canadian farmers' cross-border business trips

By Allan Dawson, GFM Network News March 25, 2020

Whether Canadian farmers can continue to pick up machinery parts and other products for their operations in the United States is at the discretion of U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers. At 11:59 p.m. ET Friday, Canada and the U.S. temporarily restricted non-essential travel between the two nations to try and slow the spread of […] Read more

Crops, Reuters

As customers hoard pot brownies, weed firms see lockdown boost

By GFM Network News March 24, 2020

Reuters — Cannabis sales are touching new highs as customers across the U.S. and Canada stockpile weed to prepare for long spells of isolation because of the coronavirus pandemic. Between March 16 and 22, sales of recreational cannabis across California, Colorado, Oregon and Alaska — some of the key U.S. markets — were up 50 […] Read more

Ardent Mills’ milling facility at Saskatoon. (ArdentMills.com)

Cereals, Crops, Markets, Reuters

North America’s millers, bakers scramble to satisfy bread binge

By Rod Nickel, GFM Network News March 24, 2020

Chicago/Winnipeg | Reuters — North American flour mills and bakeries are rushing to boost production as the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus leads to consumer stockpiling of staples such as bread and pasta. The virus’ spread prompted orders to stay at home in some U.S. states, including New York, California and Illinois last week, following […] Read more

U.S. grains: Corn sags as bumper US crop harvest advances, soybeans retreat

U.S. livestock: Cattle futures rally, hogs rise

Fund traders flip to net short in canola futures

GFM Network News