News Archives

A report that will certainly draw interest from farmers and rural Canadians will be handed down Tuesday in Ottawa, including observations about the federal government's role in the current crisis in rural areas across Canada.

Statistics Canada reports that in 2008, realized net farm income was up $1.3 billion from 2007, to $3.3 billion. Although there were some provinces that saw decreases, the overall impact marked the second consecutive year there has been an increase.

The Government of Canada is set to invest more than $3.0 million in the Canadian 4-H Council during the next four years, to help build greater profitability across the country.

Alberta agriculture is getting some positive press for a trend in reduced- and no-till farming that has been developing for much of the past 10 years, in spite of off-and-on support from the federal government.

The Grain Farmers of Ontario has announced the appointment of Barry Senft as the organization's new chief executive officer, a position he will assume beginning in July, as the process of merging the three grower group begins.

Free trade agreements with Peru and Coumbia are being touted by Pulse Canada as a means of better-securing markets for pulse growers in this country, and meeting the needs of pulse buyers in the two South American countries.  

A recent survey of viewers of America's Heartland, a television program geared to the accurate reflection of agriculture in the US, showed that perceptions of farming improved after watching the program.

A variety of weather conditions across much of the Prairies is contributing to higher soil moisture, yet canola seeding continues, with as much of 70 percent of the crop seeded in parts of Alberta, down to just 15 to 20 percent complete in Manitoba.

Researchers are trying to "get the dirt" on the soils where growers are planting and harvesting their crops, and one Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada researcher is using digitized maps to help them improve their yields.

Growers in Canada and Australia have taken a huge first-step in agreeing to support an eventual commercialization of biotech wheat varieties, hopefully protecting them from international backlash if such a variety is introduced.