HoC Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food tackled the issue of food inflation this week
Stats show that food price inflation between January 2022 and January 2023 was 11.4 percent.
Consumers report switching to cheaper brands, buying products on sale and flyer price comparison shopping and going where the price is the best instead of retail loyalty.
Anthony Durocher, the Deputy Commissioner of the Competition Promotion Branch told the House of Commons Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food committee that on October 24th they launched a market study of grocery store competition in Canada.
Farmers in a good spot with snow pack heading into spring
Farm producers are doing their best to prepare for the upcoming season and part of that is watching just how much snow will stick around until spring.
Moisture levels were average or above average during harvest last year in the southeast, especially compared to other regions, but more is likely to be needed once the ground thaws.
That, along with replenishing groundwater sloughs for ranchers, means that snowpack is a key component of 2023 for agriculture.
Agrologist Edgar Hammermeister says we've been fortunate to get a good amount of snow which should help out.
The CCA is watching what's happening with proposed new U.S. labelling rules
The Canadian Cattle Association Executive Vice President Dennis Laycraft says they are close monitoring the proposed 'Product of USA' or 'Made in the USA' labelling program for meat, poultry and egg products.
"When you look at what they're proposing, they've not only taken what were the elements in the mandatory Country of Origin Labelling rule, but they've expanded it to include processed in the US. Which would also affect some of our other exports down there."
Canada monitoring proposed new labelling rules south of the border
The U-S is proposing new voluntary "Product Of USA" Or "Made In The USA" labelling for meat, poultry and egg products.
Canada will be monitoring the process closely as there's a growing concern that this may be similar to the mandatory Country of Origin Labelling legislation they had on fresh beef, pork and lamb.
Canada and Mexico launched a WTO challenge over m-COOL that resulted in the U.S. removing the labelling requirements for beef and pork.
A number of women running Agriculture companies are included in the NPC "Game Changers: Leading Companies. Powered by Women" report
Natural Products Canada (NPC) has released its Canadian Game Changers Report.
The report identifies over 100 companies powered by women in the natural and bio-based industries.
NPC is the driving force behind Canada's Natural Product Innovation Cluster - which recognizes the development and commercialization of naturally-derived products and technologies in health and life sciences, natural resources, agriculture and agri-food, and sustainable bioproducts.
Canadian Centre for Agricultural Wellbeing holds National Symposium on Agricultural Mental Health
The Canadian Centre for Agricultural Wellbeing (CCAW) continues to gain support and build resources.
Yesterday, during the CCAW's first National Symposium on Agricultural Mental Health, Federal Agriculture Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau announced up to $168,440 to help the group spread awareness and multiply the resources available to the ag sector.
She says farmers have a very demanding job and deal with a lot of stress.
SSGA Zone 3 & 12 AGM takes place this weekend
The Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association Zone 3 and 12 Annual General Meeting is set for 2 pm Saturday (March 11) at the Eagles Club in Swift Current.
The event features a number of key presentations including updates from the Livestock Services of Saskatchewan, the RCMP Livestock Investigator, the Saskatchewan Stock Growers Foundation and the Canadian Cattle Association.
Provincial Agriculture Minister David Marit and Cypress Hills-
Grasslands MP Jeremy Patzer will be in attendance to talk with producers.
CropLife Canada has joined the Grain Growers of Canada's 'Road to 2050' climate solution initiative.
The 'Road to 2050' will focus on innovation, research and beneficial management practices, representing a practical and proactive approach to tackling climate change.
CropLife Canada president and CEO Pierre Petelle says Canadian farmers are global leaders in sustainability.
"From seed technology to the pest control tools that protect crops, the plant science industry is committed to providing solutions that support Canadian farmers as they work to address the global challenges of food security, climate change and sustainability."
Government of Canada opens applications for federal programs under Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership
The Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, the Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, announced that applications are now being accepted for federal programs under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP) that will go into effect on April 1, 2023. Federal, provincial and territorial governments are investing a record $3.5 billion in the new 5-year agreement to position the sector for continued success as a global leader in agriculture that is environmentally, economically, and socially sustainable.
Saskatchewan CAP final rebate deadline coming up March 15
The Canadian Agricultural Partnership officially comes to an end March 31st.
In Saskatchewan, CAP was a $388 million investment over five years to help encourage the investment, adaptation, and sustainable growth of the ag sector.
Agricultural program specialist Shiela Miller says the CAP funding targeted key strategic areas like Science Research and Innovation, Risk Management, Environmental Sustainability and Climate Change, Value Added Agriculture and Agri Food Processing, Public Trust, and Market and Trade.