Ag News

Bill C -234 still awaits third and final reading in the Senate.

The bill would remove the carbon tax on natural gas and propane used for on-farm use for grain drying, irrigation, heating, and cooling livestock 
barns and greenhouses

There has been some heated discussion around the bill in the Senate 

The National Farmer's Union is holding its Annual Convention in Ottawa.

This year's theme is " The Future of Farming: In Our Hands."

Organizers say the 54th annual convention will cover a lot of ground on how to organize effectively and counter entrenched powers in order to build the future farmers and other Canadians want and need.

Some of the panel discussions focus on Confronting Power, Organizing for Change, Creating the Future we Want - Land, Seed, Labour 

Delegates will also vote on resolutions and the executive for 2024.

A protest on Parliament Hill on Wednesday focused on two key areas of concern for producers the carbon tax and investor ownership of farmland. 

Producers have been pushing for the Senate to pass Bill C-234 without amendments. 

A small group of farmers from across Canada were on site with signs calling on the Senate to pass the Bill.

Bill C-234 would remove the carbon tax on natural gas and propane used for on-farm use for grain drying, irrigation, heating and cooling livestock barns and greenhouses.

The Grain Growers of Canada (GGC) celebrate the incorporation of the Competition Act amendment in the 2023 Fall Economic Statement, a move aimed at bolstering the right to repair for grain farmers.

“Enabling growers to access essential tools and software for maintaining their equipment, such as tractors and combines, will foster a more equitable landscape between manufacturers and consumers," states Kyle Larkin, executive director of GGC. 

Canadian farmers brought in another top-quality wheat crop this year despite the challenging growing conditions.

Cereals Canada CEO Dean Dias (dye-as) says the 2023 New Wheat Crop Report shows the majority of the crop is grading No. 2 or better, 
 with average to higher than average protein content. 

Dias says representatives of the value chain will be talking about the results with customers domestically and globally via webinars this week, 
before leaving for the trade and technical missions.

There's still a lot on the agenda for Day 2 of Canadian Western Agribition.

It's Bison Day at the show with participants in this week's 40th annual Bison Convention move over to the show for the final day of activities in the John Deere Sales Arena.

The highlight for the Bison today is the video sale at 5 o'clock.

Agribition CEO Shaun Kindopp says another key highlight for today is going to be the new Bull Fighters Only freestyle bullfighting event  7 o'clock  tonight in the Brandt Centre:

Conservative MP John Barlow, the Shadow Minister for Agriculture, Agri-Food, and Food Security was joined by a group of independent farmers from across Canada this morning at a press conference to address the games being played in the Senate to kill Bill C-234.

Farmers are being reminded to take part in the Canadian Grain Commission's (CGC)  Harvest Sample Program.

Dr Sean Walkowiak, a research scientist with the CGC's Grain Lab, says under the program, farmers send in crop samples and in turn, receive free unofficial grade and quality information which is helpful when marketing your grain.

Olds College of Agriculture and Technology is now offering a new Indoor Agriculture Certificate program.

The program, the first of its kind offered in Canada is designed to meet the growing need for skilled professionals in the controlled environment agriculture (CEA) sector.

The four month program will equip students with the knowledge and hands-on experience to optimize plant growth in indoor growing conditions involving vertical farming, hydroponics and more.

The number of Avian Influenza cases in Western Canada continues to climb.

The risk for avian influenza increases during spring and fall with wild bird migration 

Stats from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency website show they've seen a number of active outbreaks of the highly pathogenic avian influenza being reported this fall.

HPAI IS NOT A  food safety concern.

There is no evidence to suggest that eating cooked poultry or eggs could transmit HPAI to humans.

CFIA stats showing the number of operations under current quarantine