Ag News

Earlier this week, the Canadian Canola Growers Association (CCGA) issued their first cash advances with the 2025 Advance Payments Program for the upcoming growing year. More than 1750 producers across Western Canada received more than $310 million to finance their operations. Dave Gallant, Vice President of Finance and APP operations at CGA, talks about the benefits of the program for Western Canadian producers. 

A spokesperson for Canadian Foodgrains Bank says they are very grateful for a recent funding announcement by our federal government. The Canadian government is providing a $4 million grant for Canadian Foodgrains Bank to address the growing hunger crisis in Sudan. 

According to Canadian Foodgrains Bank, nearly 25 million people in Sudan are facing acute hunger since the outbreak of civil war in April 2023. That makes up more than half the population. As many as 640,000 people are already experiencing famine-like conditions in five identified areas.

With the weather warming and spring coming to the prairies, producers have been going through calving season with plenty of work for them. 

Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan Vice-President Chris Procyk says that, from what he's heard, it's been a decent season in the province.

Manitoba farmer Tyler Fulton is the new President of the Canadian Cattle Association. The Birtle area cattle producer moved into the role during the organization's recent annual meeting in Ottawa.

"Well, I'm excited," shared Fulton. "I'm a little tentative just given the political environment and the geopolitical environment and the reliance on trade. Overall, I feel well prepared, well supported, and so in that sense I'm excited to take on the challenge, and do my best to just represent cattle producers across the country with all the sectors covered off."

With a federal election looming, Grain Growers of Canada (GGC) is launching Vote for Grain, a national campaign to engage grain farmers in the federal election and ensure their voices are heard.

Last month, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency or CFIA officially declared a herd of cattle infected with bovine tuberculosis or bovine TB. An investigation spanning back six years has taken place, tracking the movements of the herd to limit the spread of bovine TB. Dr. Stacey Vos, veterinarian and Animal Health Regional Veterinary Officer with the CFIA, talks about the case itself, and the risks associated with bovine TB. 

The Manitoba Crop Alliance (MCA) has just awarded its 2024-25 bursaries to six deserving university students from across the province, supporting the future of agriculture in Manitoba.

Madison Kostal, the Research and Production Coordinator at MCA, took some time to share what went into the selection process and why these bursaries are so important for the next generation of Ag leaders. 

With a federal election on the horizon, the agriculture sector is hoping to see some commitments from the federal parties as they campaign for seats in parliament. The Canadian Federation of Agriculture released its priorities, breaking those down into three categories: competitiveness, resiliency, and rules-based trade.

President Keith Curie talks about the competitiveness factor of Canada and what he wants to see done.

As tensions rise in ongoing trade disputes, China's latest move is adding to concerns for Canadian producers. The country recently announced a 100 per cent tariff on canola oil and meal exported from Canada, compounding the uncertainty already present due to U.S. tariffs.  

Farmers caught in the middle  

The new tariff has many farmers wondering how to best proceed and that includes Curtis Sims, owner of Emeline Farms near MacGregor, Manitoba. Sims grows canola and is worried about the impact of these trade measures.  

AAFC Researchers at the Lethbridge Research and Development Centre want to turn Canadian agriculture’s value chains into value circles.  

Dr. Emma Stephens and a team of data analysts are taking the most comprehensive look yet at Canada’s entire agriculture and agri-food industry, from the field, to processing and exports, to the end use by consumers.

"What that means is looking for additional value-added opportunities within our agri-food value chain through co-products and current waste byproducts to find additional ag-based resources," she explained.