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Comment by Joe Dales on February 19, 2014 at 10:48am

Minister Ritz Highlights Budget 2014 and Trade Opportunities at London Chamber of Commerce

 

February 19, 2014 – London, Ontario – Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

 

Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz today addressed the London Chamber of Commerce to outline how Canada's Economic Action Plan 2014 will foster economic growth and help Ontario succeed in the global economy. He emphasized that the Government's top priority in Budget 2014 remains jobs, growth and long-term prosperity.

 

Minister Ritz also outlined the importance of the agriculture and the agri-food sector to the economy of Ontario and the key role that opening new markets plays in creating new opportunities for the industry. The Canada-EU trade agreement will open new markets and unlock growth opportunities in the European Union for Ontario's producers, processors and exporters. Once fully implemented, the agreement will eliminate tariffs on almost all of Ontario's key exports, from chemicals, to plastics, to processed foods.

 

Quick facts

 

Under Canada's Economic Action Plan:

  • An investment of $630 million will advance the construction of the new Windsor-Detroit corridor, which handles a third of all Canada-U.S. trade carried by truck.
  • An investment of $1.5 billion in the new Canada First Research Excellence Fund will help Canadian universities excel globally in research areas that will create long-term economic advantages for Canada.
  • An additional $500 million over two years will be provided to the Automotive Innovation Fund to support significant new strategic research and development projects and long-term investments to the Canadian automotive sector.
  • The Building Canada Plan will receive a further $1.3 billion over two years to support additional strategic investments in public infrastructure and transportation services.
  • An additional $390 million over five years to strengthen Canada's food safety system will support the hiring of inspectors and other staff; establish a national information system to move quickly to detect and respond to food safety risks and continue core bovine spongiform encephalopathy-related programming aimed at safeguarding human and animal health.
  • An expansion of the types of farming livestock that quality for tax deferral on sale by farmers dealing with drought or excess moisture conditions.
  • The Agricultural Growth Act will strengthen intellectual property rights for plant breeders and stimulate innovation and growth in the agricultural sector.
  • The agriculture, agri-food and beverage sector in Ontario contributes $15 Billion to the province's GDP, and leads the nation in agriculture and food exports, topping $11 billion last year, for the first time ever.
  • Ontario is home to the largest food and beverage processing jurisdiction in Canada. Across Ontario, about 3,000 food and beverage companies generate $40 billion in revenues and employ more Ontarians than any other manufacturing sector in the province.

 

Quotes

 

With ongoing investments in innovation, job creation and infrastructure, and our aggressive trade agenda, our Government is opening up new frontiers for farmers across Ontario.

 

We will continue to work with producers and the entire value chain to ensure they have access to the tools they need to succeed.

 

– Gerry Ritz, Agriculture Minister

Agriculture Headlines from Farms.com Canada East News - click on title for full story

A Feed Barley with Better Disease Resistance and Bigger Yield? Yes, Please

After nearly three decades of barley breeding ups and downs, one thing remains constant: the need for varieties that deliver under western Canadian conditions. That’s why TR22669 — a new semi-dwarf, two-row hulled feed barley — has researchers talking. Recently registered by Western Crop Innovations after three years of testing, TR22669 was initially developed as a potential malt line. The cross was made back in 2014 by breeder Oriana Grace, and while it didn’t quite make the cut for malting quality, it proved too promising to leave on the bench. “We saw some really strong agronomic traits,” says John Bowness, the senior research associate leading the program. “So instead of walking away, we registered it as a feed variety.” Designed for High-Input Success As a semi-dwarf, TR22669 is bred for performance in high-management systems — think high fertility, manure-heavy fields, and irrigated acres. That puts it in the same playing field as varieties like Esma and Suresh, which have see

GIFS at USask study shows Western Canadian farmers produce barley and oats with lowest carbon intensity

A new comparative carbon footprint study of barley and oats production shows that Saskatchewan and Western Canadian farmers are producing these crops with the lowest carbon intensity relative to other jurisdictions in the study. The study, commissioned by the Global Institute for Food Security (GIFS) at the University of Saskatchewan (USask), compared barley and oats produced in Saskatchewan, Western Canada, Canada and international competitors – Australia and France for barley and Australia, Finland, Poland and Sweden for oats. “The results from our oat and barley report further reinforce the productive sustainability of Western Canada’s cropping system,” said GIFS Chief Executive Officer Dr. Steven R. Webb (PhD). “These findings are consistent with previous studies on non-durum wheat, durum wheat, canola, lentils and field peas we announced last year. It’s a clear story of innovation—demonstrating that Canada’s advanced cropping systems continue to drive sustainable productivity.”

Feed Testing: A Tool for Better Returns

A recent survey of more than 300 cow-calf producers across Western Canada showed only 59% of respondents had used lab-based feed testing at least once in the past three years. Among those who hadn’t tested, two-thirds believed it wasn’t necessary because their animals appeared healthy. However, subclinical nutrient deficiencies such as inadequate energy, protein or minerals can go unnoticed while quietly reducing animal performance, leading to reduced profits. Additionally, forage quality can vary significantly within a field and from year to year. While feed testing may seem like an additional expense, the investment pays off by allowing producers to make informed decisions about ration balancing, feed efficiency and herd health.  Below are three scenarios that highlight how feed testing can unlock cost savings or protect revenue in cow-calf operations.  Scenario 1: Lower Feed Costs While Maintaining Cattle Body Condition  Feed testing and ration balancing allows producers to confi

CFA and Indigenous group commit to collaboration and reconciliation

The Canadian Federation of Agriculture (CFA) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the National Circle for Indigenous Agriculture and Food (NCIAF) with the goal of building stronger collaboration between Indigenous and non-Indigenous agricultural producers across Canada.

Canada to resume fall rules for U.S. romaine lettuce imports

Beginning September 25, 2025, Canada will reintroduce temporary import requirements for romaine lettuce originating from the United States. These measures, which will remain in effect until December 17, 2025, are part of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency's (CFIA) ongoing efforts to mitigate the risk of E. coli O157:H7 contamination in imported leafy greens during the fall season. 

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