$6 million investment announced for Manitoba's agri-food sector
Manitoba is continuing to work on growing the agri-food sector.
Agriculture Minister Ron Kostyshyn announced over $6 million in funding from the province and the federal government to increase food processing opportunities.
The announcement was made at Maple Leaf Foods in Brandon, one of the recipients of the funding.
Maple Leaf's President of Pork Operations Dennis Organ says the investment will help modernize the Brandon pork facility with state-of-the-art equipment, improving reliability, efficiency and production quality.
Research chair focuses on profitability
New Beef Cattle Research Council chair at the U of M to focus on best environmental practices and economic viability
A new beef-focused research chair will soon begin work at the University of Manitoba.
The 10-year role has been named the BCRC Chair in Beef Cattle Economic Sustainability.
“I believe this is the fourth chair position that we’ve developed,” said Craig Lehr, chair of the BCRC’s producer council.
Barlow says the Liberal's Clean Fuel Standard will drive up food and fuel costs
Conservative Agriculture Critic John Barlow is warning that the Liberal's Clean Fuel Standard will hit Canadians hard at the gas pump and the grocery store.
Citing a recent Department of Agriculture briefing, Barlow said the policy will raise fuel prices by 13 cents per litre for gasoline and 16 cents per litre for diesel by 2030. He criticized the government for downplaying the impact on consumers.
Saskatchewan initiative hopes to expand agri-food sector
Cultivator by Conexus and Food Centre work together to increase opportunities for ag-tech and agri-food entrepreneurs
The Saskatchewan Food Industry Development Centre Inc. (Food Centre) and Cultivator powered by Conexus (Cultivator) have signed a memorandum of understanding that is intended to benefit Saskatchewan agriculture and food tech entrepreneurs.
“There are so many great resources that exist in our province,” said Cultivator director Laura Mock at the July 8 announcement.
Maintaining CUSMA access should be the priority amongst other trade noise
Panelists agree that maintaining access under the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement should be priority among other trade noise
Canadian trade negotiators should be cautious and be prepared to weather further abrupt policy changes from U.S. president Donald Trump.
A panel on trade and politics at the Seeds Canada conference in Quebec City heard that Canada’s ability to delay trade negotiations could be valuable in finding a way to a successful renegotiation of the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA).
McCain Foods looks for new processing potatoes
Company works with Farming Smarter Association as it searches for options other than the century-old Russet Burbank variety.
Russet Burbank has been the go to potato variety for Canadian farmers and consumers.
This year, McCain Foods in Chin, Alta., has entered a corporate partnership with the Farming Smarter Association to explore the viability of other varieties in its food processing plant for farmers to consider.
Farming Smarter is using one of its commercial plots to do a research trial growing four varieties using six treatments.
Sask. ag group wants strychnine back
The Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan has written to the federal government asking for emergency use of strychnine to control gophers
The Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan wants strychnine reinstated under emergency use provisions.
The organization has asked the federal agriculture and health ministers to “urgently” consider the request.
APAS said there is a significant uncontrolled increase in the population of Richardson’s ground squirrels costing about $9 million a year.
Genesis Fertilizers says it has hit ‘turning point’
Firm behind plan to build Saskatchewan fertilizer plant had to recently deal with former CEO’s financial problems
It is full steam ahead at Genesis Fertilizers despite a tumultuous June, say proponents of the proposed Saskatchewan mega-project.
“It’s not a matter of if, it’s a matter of when we get this project off the ground,” said Terry Drabiuk, vice-president of business development with Genesis.
The project is a proposed $2.89 billion, farmer-owned nitrogen fertilizer plant to be built in Belle Plaine, Sask.
Agriculture Minister Daryl Harrison updates producer groups on AgriStability changes
Saskatchewan producers will benefit from major enhancements to the AgriStability program for the 2025 program year, aimed at strengthening support amid trade uncertainty and ongoing drought conditions.
Federal, provincial, and territorial agriculture ministers met virtually last week and agreed to increase the compensation rate from 80 per cent to 90 per cent, and doubled the maximum payment cap from $3 million to $6 million per operation.
Saskatchewan Agriculture Minister Daryl Harrison announced the changes yesterday on a farm at Rush Lake.
Senft to step down as CEO of Seeds Canada
The founding CEO of the five-year-old organization will stay on until January 2026
Seeds Canada is looking for a new chief executive officer after Barry Senft announced he is stepping down from the role he’s held for about four years.
Senft will continue to serve as CEO until the end of January 2026.
“I think after five years, it’s time for new leadership,” he said during the 2025 Seeds Canada conference in Quebec City.
He said someone with more seeds experience would make sense now that the organization is up and running.