OntAG Admin's Blog – January 2014 Archive (5)

Manitoba Crop Alliance announces results of 2024 crop committee delegate nominations

Manitoba Crop Alliance (MCA) is pleased to announce the results of the nomination process for delegate positions on its four crop committees. The nomination period ran from July 1 to Oct. 1, 2024. In total, 16 farmer members were nominated for the 17 available delegate positions across the four crop committees and are thereby elected by acclamation. Among those 16 delegates, eight are new to their respective committees and eight are incumbents. “I would like to thank all the farmers who let their names stand for nomination during this cycle,” says MCA CEO Pam de Rocquigny. “Each MCA crop committee delegate has made the choice to represent their peers and help guide the direction of our industry, and we are grateful for their service and dedication.” Corn: Carl Bangert (Beausejour), Riley Anderson (Morris), Craig Riese (St. Andrews) and Patrick Gamache (Laurier) were nominated for the four available crop committee delegate positions. They will join Doug Martin (East Selkirk), Jonotha

Manitoba producers call for end to port workers strike in Vancouver

A group that represents Manitoba farmers is calling for the “immediate” end to a strike that has seen grain workers at Canada’s largest port walk off the job right in the middle of harvest season. “Keystone Agricultural Producers (KAP) is calling for an immediate resumption of activities at the Port of Vancouver, including all terminal activity,” KAP said in a press release. Grain workers at the Port of Vancouver walked off the job Tuesday over hours and wages, after first giving a 72-hour strike notice on Saturday. KAP president Jill Verwey said the timing of the strike could not get much worse for Manitoba farmers and farmers across the country. “Producers already face a massive amount of pressure during the annual harvest season to get crop in the bin,” Verwey said. “This disruption at such a critical time of year will only add further stress to producers as they work long hours to get harvest complete, not knowing if there will be a transportation system to get that product to

Manitoba grain producers bracing for impacts after workers at Vancouver port terminals go on strike

An industry group representing Manitoba's farmers is worried Canada's position as a reliable grain supplier might be tarnished after operations at one of the busiest ports for bulk grain export came to a halt on Tuesday. Workers at several Metro Vancouver grain terminals walked off the job after members of the Grain Workers Union Local 333 couldn't come to an agreement on a new contract with their employer, the Vancouver Terminal Elevators Association. Workers went on strike on Tuesday, halting operations at some of Canada's busiest terminals for bulk grain exports.  Jill Verwey, president of Keystone Agricultural Producers, a non-profit organization representing close to 4,600 Manitoba farmers, told CBC News Tuesday that the job action in Vancouver couldn't have come at a worse time.  "A strike occurring right now during our peak [harvest] season does cause widespread disruption for our grain producers and for exporters serving international customers," she said.  Uncertainty aro

APG Seeks Advisors in All Zones to Grow Pulse Industry

Pulse producers who want to grow the province’s pulse industry while developing their own leadership skills are invited to let their names stand for election as an Alberta Pulse Growers (APG) Advisor at their zone meeting this fall. “Any interested pulse farmers are strongly encouraged to join the APG team,” APG Chair Shane Strydhorst said. “I began as an Advisor like most APG Directors, and it has been a very rewarding experience. Becoming an Advisor is a great way to get involved in the industry. Each of our five zones has available positions and it’s a good introduction to the organization, working on committees, and making things happen for Alberta pulse farmers.” A team of Advisors leads extension activities specific to each of APG’s five zones. Directors on APG’s provincial board often serve as Advisors first. Available positions are presented below, along with this fall’s meeting dates. Producers must have sold pulses and paid service charges since August 1, 2022 in order to

From Letterfrack to Rural Ontario: Sharing Ideas from the 2024 North Atlantic Forum

Researchers, policymakers and practitioners recently gathered in Letterfrack, Ireland for the 2024 North Atlantic Forum. The Forum focused on sustainable livelihoods and sought to engage new ideas in rural development, policy practice, and the social economy.