Government and Politics in Ontario Agriculture: The Boiler Room (79)

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‘It feels personal’: Canadian farmers cope with Chinese tariffs on canola and peas

Canola runs deep on Margaret Rigetti’s farm in southern Saskatchewan. Her grandfather was among the first to grow the bright yellow flowering crop in the 1970s, and it has been a staple ever since. “For a large part of Saskatchewan, the farm economy has been driven by canola,” Rigetti, a director with SaskOilseeds, says in an interview on her land near Moose Jaw. “It feels personal when people come after canola, just because it’s such a Canadian story, such a western Canadian story, such a Saskatchewan story and such a story that’s right here on my farm.” China hit Canadian farmers with 100 per cent tariffs on canola oil, canola meal and peas in retaliation to Canada slapping Beijing with levies on Chinese-made electric vehicles, steel and aluminum.  Producers are also caught with uncertainty around U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariffs. Trump has imposed levies on Canadian aluminum, steel and automobiles, while musing about applying additional duties.  Products that fall within

Rocky Mountain Equipment launches fifth year of rural community grant program

The 2025 edition of the RME Right by You Ag Society Grant community investment initiative is accepting applications. The Rocky Mountain Equipment (RME) program supports four agricultural societies across Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba. Garrett Ganden, President and CEO of RME said a $10,000 grant goes to each project “We take pride in being embedded in rural communities in Western Canada,” Ganden said. “This program allows us to further support the communities in which many of our employees and customers live, work and play.” The grant is open to agricultural societies working on projects that enhance the lives of the residents of their communities. Last year’s grant recipients include the Forestburg Ag Society in Northern Alberta, which received a credit towards a Case IH Farmall tractor to groom its indoor riding arena used for barrel racing and rodeo practice. The Stavely & District Ag Society in southern Alberta purchased a brand-new Ferris ISX800-60C Zero Turn Mower to he

Manitoba farmers starting spring seeding

Manitoba Agriculture has released its first crop report for 2025. Spring planting is registered at three per cent complete just two points ahead of the five-year average. There have been small amounts of peas, spring wheat and oats primarily seeded in the central, eastern and Interlake regions of the province. No oilseed crops have been planted to date. James Frey is an Applied Research Specialist with Manitoba Agriculture, based in Roblin, Man. He said it’s not surprising it’s been a slow start considering the moisture conditions. “We’ve had a lot of snow over the winter and over the last week or so with a late snow with parts of the region receiving up to 10 inches of snow or even more according to some accounts,” he said. “This translates to about an inch and three-quarters of water so that has slowed things down a bit.” Frey said first assessments are good for how winter wheat and fall rye crops fared over the winter. “There’s enough heat in some areas where we’re starting to

Small Steps, Big Gains: How Starting Slow Leads to Grazing Success

This article is one of a series of case studies on forage beneficial management practices from Alberta Agrisystems Living Lab and Canfax. It is reprinted on BeefResearch.ca with permission. Rotational grazing can mean different things to different people. This Beneficial Management Practice (BMP) is often adopted at varying levels of intensity, depending on timing and amount of precipitation, water source or labour availability. Rotational grazing can offer many benefits, including a more evenly grazed field, enhanced soil health, improved water quality and preserving the productivity of your pastures. Rotational grazing systems can also offer more options in dry conditions, but back-to-back droughts, water availability, fencing and labour can make implementation of this BMP a challenge.