Minister Heath MacDonald’s Indo-Pacific mission built stronger trade ties, promoted Canadian agriculture, and expanded opportunities for cereals, pork, beef, soy, pulses, and plant-based protein sectors.
The Ag Commodity Corner+ Podcast for the week of August 4 to 8 analyzed USDA yield forecasts, crop conditions, and weather trends shaping corn, soybean, and wheat markets.
As of August 1, 2025, changes to Canada’s beef check-off collection rules will come into effect in BC, Alberta and Saskatchewan to bring greater consistency and fairness to how levies are collected across Canada. Under the new guidelines, the check-off rate applied to a cattle sale will now align with the seller’s home province, regardless of where the sale takes place. This change ensures that beef producers’ contributions continue to support the programs and initiatives of their own province—even when cattle are sold outside of it. “This is about fairness and alignment,” said Trevor Welch, Chair, Canadian Beef Check-Off Agency. “Producers, provincial cattle associations and other stakeholders have been asking for a more consistent system that reflects their home province’s priorities, especially as interprovincial marketing and transport becomes more common. This change delivers on that.” What’s Changing: Effective August 1, 2025, the check-off rate applied at sale will be determ
Today at an event in Singapore, witnessed by Minister MacDonald, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Protein Industries Canada announced a new international partnership with Nurasa, a leading food innovation and commercialization partner based in Singapore. The partnership will help Canadian companies accelerate entry into the fast-growing Asia-Pacific market—one of the world’s largest and most dynamic regions for plant-based food innovation. "Canadian innovation is driving the global shift toward sustainable food solutions.” Said the Honourable Melanie Joly, Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions. “By supporting our plant-based companies as they expand into new markets like the Asia-Pacific, we are helping them scale up, create good jobs at home, and showcase Canadian expertise on the world stage. This partnership is another example of how the Global Innovation Clusters are helping Canadian businesses succeed both at
The 2025 crop year continues to be challenging in some regions of Alberta. Agriculture Financial Services Corporation (AFSC) has adjusted the low yield allowance, enabling farmers to salvage crops for livestock feed in an effort to reduce producers’ feed-related costs. The low yield allowance is a standard part of production insurance and is meant for situations where there may not be value in harvesting for grain (e.g. low yield due to extreme heat and severe drought). “I’ve spoken with livestock and crop producers in Alberta who are worried about the impact that dry conditions could have this year. Changing the yield threshold will give them some breathing room, so they can make the best decisions for their operations.” Heath MacDonald, federal Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada “The impact of ongoing dry conditions in some regions of the province is concerning for Alberta’s agricultural community. This adjustment lets producers act swiftly to salvage crops for livesto
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