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

High prices of farmland translates to higher rental rates

Farmland rental rates are keeping pace with the value of farmland across Canada. Farm Credit Canada (FCC) provides a rental rate analysis for all cultivated farmland from data on cash rental rates and the Farmland Values Report. The analysis provides a detailed breakdown of rent-to-price ratios by province, highlighting variations in rental rates and farmland appreciation across different regions. When the ratio is lower it assumes cash rental rates are appreciating at a slower pace than land values. An increase in the ratio indicates that rental rates are increasing faster than land values. FCC chief economist J.P. Gervais said the national rent-to-price ratio in 2023 was 2.52 per cent which was a slight decline from 2022. He said it was important to note Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and Quebec had increases in rental rates, maintaining stability in rent-to-price ratios. “There are challenges that come with buying land amid increasing land values and elevated interest rates,” Gervais

Manitoba’s livestock predation program received financial support

Wildlife attacks on livestock are a significant problem for Manitoba producers with over 2,000 livestock lost each year. Farmers and ranchers have been asking for some form of support to implement measures to discourage these attacks. The federal and Manitoba governments are providing $500,000 to Manitoba’s Livestock Predation Prevention Program which supports on-farm measures to deter predator attacks and promotes the co-existence of wildlife and livestock in agricultural regions. Manitoba Beef Producers (MBP) President Matthew Atkinson said the program provides two funding streams for producers including the purchase of equipment, livestock guardian dogs and constructing predator resistant fencing. “The cost-shared funding for practices is aimed at reducing the risk of predation and encourages eligible producers to explore the two programs. MBP appreciates the engagement with the province on the development of strategies to help reduce livestock predation and the negative effects

Bayer Crop Science Canada Partners with U of A to Unlock Canola Potential

Bayer Crop Science Canada has partnered with the University of Alberta (U of A) to research the genetic diversity of Canada’s most exported crop – canola. Through this research, the team at U of A aims to make hybrid canola stronger, leading to an increased yield for Canadian farmers. “There is a prosperous future for canola in Canada,” says Antoine Bernet, President and CEO, Bayer Crop Science Canada. “The talented research team at the University of Alberta are developing hundreds of canola lines, which could be a game changer for our farmers. Having canola that not only has an increased seed yield, but is also more disease resistant, would be an incredible step forward for Canadian agriculture.” The research team is currently evaluating the genes of brassica vegetables, such as broccoli and kale, to determine which are best for breeding new lines of canola to produce the strongest hybrids. These types of plants are closely related to canola, and showcase the untapped genetic range

Drought Fears Tempered by Optimism as Moisture Arrives in Some Seed Growing Regions

As Alberta braces for a potential drought, seed growers are optimistic that farmers won’t be too adversely affected should dry weather plague the province in 2024. “It doesn’t usually take much to break a drought — a couple of good rains can do wonders. If we do get above-average moisture, things should be fine. But if not, and we end up with average or below-average moisture during the growing season, we’ll have to adjust our irrigation strategies,” says Will Van Roessel, owner of Specialty Seeds in Bow Island, Alta. Specialty Seeds, which grows a variety of crops for seed including hybrid canola, wheat, hemp, pea, and more, is situated in the St. Mary’s River Irrigation District, which happens to be the largest irrigation district in Canada. It’s quite substantial, covering a little over half a million acres. “Most people will likely shift water allocation from lower-value crops to higher-value ones. It’s a bit of a juggling act, and crop insurance coverage plays into it, too. I r

ROI announces recruitment for the 2024 Rural Change Makers Program

The Rural Ontario Institute (ROI) is pleased to announce the opening of recruitment for the 2024 Rural Change Makers (RCM) program with the support of regional partners: