Joe Dales's Blog (72)

Study Reveals Heavy Producer Cost to Bunge-Viterra Merger

A new study commissioned by Prairie agricultural groups concludes the planned Bunge-Viterra merger could cost farmers more than $700 million annually. Undertaken by University of Saskatchewan researchers with support from the Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan (APAS), Alberta Grains, SaskBarley, and Sask Wheat, the study found the merger is likely to cause “substantial economic harm” to grain producers. The results support the findings of the Competition Bureau’s review that the merger is likely to result in substantial anti-competitive effects and harm competition in markets for grain purchasing, an APAS news release said. The report examined the impact of the proposed merger on grain export services at the port of Vancouver, the canola crushing sector, and competition at primary elevators, and found worrisome levels of market concentration in all three scenarios. The merger would result in over 40% of Vancouver export capacity controlled by one firm, the repor

Global soybean glut could pressure canola prices

The world will be awash in soybeans in 2024-25, and that could be an anchor on canola prices, say analysts. The International Grains Council is forecasting 75.4 million tonnes of global soybean carryout, excluding China. That would be 13 per cent more than last year and 31 per cent above the previous five-year average. “In the absence of any weather events, these heavy stocks are likely to keep pressure on soybean prices,” Helen Plant, senior analyst with the United Kingdom’s Agricultural and Horticulture Development Board, said in a recent grain market report. “The extent of the impact on (canola) prices will depend on prospects for the 2024-25 (canola) crops.” Canola/rapeseed planting is expected to be down 3.1 per cent in Canada and 3.6 per cent in the European Union, two regions that accounted for 44 per cent of global production of the crop last year. Rich Nelson, chief strategist with Allendale Inc., agrees with the premise that global soybean stocks are on the rise unless

Opinion: Farm economic aspect often ignored

The term “environmental sustainability” frequently lacks definition, though it is widely used by governments, media, retailers and environmental non-governmental organizations. We use the term in our research, where we demonstrate with evidence how environmental sustainability has changed, for better or worse. However, the term has been over-used and often lacks meaning or value. The term is frequently applied to methods, processes and technologies that are used to produce food. The European Union is using its broadness and lack of definition to its advantage in the EU Farm to Fork Strategy. It advocates for significant and negative changes in food production, all in the name of improved environmental sustainability. The strategy trades economics for what the EU deems will be environmental sustainability. Often, governments, media and ENGOs fail to appreciate that without economic sustainability, there will be no environmental sustainability in food production. Farming and food pro

Local CFFO Districts Host Successful All-Candidates Night for Lambton Kent Middlesex By-Election

The Christian Farmers Federation of Ontario (CFFO) districts of Lambton, Kent, and Middlesex recently hosted a successful All-Candidates Night for the Lambton Kent Middlesex By-Election.

Introducing the next generation of farm leaders to advocacy

Canada is in the midst of a generational shift as more and more Canadians reach retirement age and younger generations are moving into leadership roles.