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

Guidance for Livestock Feed Levels Playing Field for Canadian Farmers

Last week, Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) released new guidance on livestock feed, completing the third and final step in a Canadian regulatory pathway for gene-edited p?roducts. Canadian Canola Growers Association (CCGA) and the 43,000 canola farmers it represents welcome completion of the last step in the regulatory process. “Canola farmers need faster access to seed varieties that respond to the evolving production challenges they face," says Dave Carey, Vice-President of Government & Industry Relations at CCGA. “While gene editing can offer solutions to these challenges, building a predictable regulatory pathway in Canada has been years in the making. This guidance establishes the framework needed to bring new innovations to market and helps level the playing field for Canadian farmers who will finally have access to gene-edited plant varieties." Canola, a Canadian plant breeding innovation success story, was built on a foundation of scientific advancement. Further advanc

Keeping Canada’s Economy on Track

Reliability of Canada’s transportation systems is crucial for the agricultural sector and the economy. Farmers have faced increased difficulties in sourcing crops inputs, parts, equipment, and moving agricultural products to export due to labour disputes in the supply chain. These uncertainties create bottlenecks and cost the agricultural sector and the Canadian Economy millions of dollars. This status quo is unsustainable, and Alberta Canola and industry partners are urging government action. Agriculture is heavily dependent on an efficient transportation system Agricultural crop production relies heavily on the ability to import crop inputs through the port and rail transportation systems as well as for exports of commodity products. Over 90% of Canadian canola, worth almost $15 billion annually, is exported either as seed or processed products like canola oil or meal. Maintaining efficient port and rail systems is essential for this industry and others relying on these transportat

Ontario’s new ag minister is ready to get to work

The number one issue facing farmers is the carbon tax, the new minister said

Farmer sentiment recovered somewhat in May following a sharp drop-off in April. The May reading of the Purdue University-CME Group Ag Economy Barometer came in at 108, up 9 points compared to April.

The North American Equipment Dealers Association (NAEDA) announced June 5 the newly elected and re-elected directors for the Great Lakes, MSEDA, North Central, and Pacific Northwest Regions. In May, NAEDA advised members of nominations for one (1) Director position in each region. Voting took place until May 30, and announced the following directors in each region. Great Lakes Region: Steve Hunt, H&R Agri-Power, Hopkinsville, KY MSEDA Region: Kyle Fulcher, AgUP, Portland, AR North Central Region: Mike Weisenberger, Titan Machinery, West Fargo, ND Pacific Northwest Region: Chad Fossey, Campbell Tractor, Nampa, ID Other members of the 2024-25 NAEDA Board of Directors include: Jared Nobbe, Chair (Sydenstricker Nobbe Partners, Waterloo, IL); Brad Hershey, Past Chair (Hoober, Inc., Northeast Region); Kevin Clark (AKRS Equipment, Iowa Nebraska Region); Wally Butler (Mazergroup, Canada Region); Eric Mason (Mason Machinery, Far West Region); Josh Vines (Allegiant Ag & Turf, Deep Southern Reg

Farmer Sentiment Recovers in May; Interest in Solar Leasing Rising

Farmer sentiment recovered somewhat in May following a sharp drop-off in April. The May reading of the Purdue University-CME Group Ag Economy Barometer came in at 108, up 9 points compared to April.