Latest news with #SustainableCanadianAgriculturalPartnership
Hamilton Spectator
2 days ago
- Business
- Hamilton Spectator
Crop insurance extends for AgriStability producers
In a year plagued with drought conditions and trade instability, both federal and provincial levels of government announced a boost to the AgriStability program last week. 'It's nice to be able to announce those today,' said provincial Agriculture Minister, Daryl Harrison on July 21. 'I think producers are looking forward to it, producer groups are looking forward to it. It's nice to see it come to fruition.' AgriStability helps farming operations that face a large margin decline caused by production loss, increased costs, or market conditions. Personalized for every producer who enrols, coverage uses historical information based on income tax and supplementary information. Delivered through the Saskatchewan Crop Insurance Corporation, it's one of the business risk management programs in the federal Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership. For this year only, participants in the AgriStability program will see an increase in the compensation rate from 80 to 90 per cent and the maximum cap is doubling to $6 million per operation. Some parts of Saskatchewan are experiencing the 'worst drought in a decade,' with 44 per cent of the province listed as under drought conditions and 38 per cent classified as abnormally dry. The severity in some places is reminiscent of the Dirty Thirties—leading to the RMs of Enterprise, Maple Creek, Fox Valley, Waverley, Big Stick, and Wood River declaring a local state of emergency. 'Now is the time for unity, and we are working together to deliver for producers right across the country to make sure our programs work for them,' Heath MacDonald, federal Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food said. 'That is why, at our meeting last week, we agreed to make changes to AgriStability so that producers facing trade uncertainty and dry conditions have more protection.' As for future changes, AgriStability will see adjustments to the feed inventory pricing for livestock, starting in 2026. Some allowable expenses are also under consideration for the 2026 program year. 'The Saskatchewan Cattle Association has long advocated for changes to the eligible feed expenses and changes to the feed inventory pricing for AgriStability,' SCA Chair Chad Ross said. 'We applaud the changes announced today, including moving forward with the permanent change to the feed inventory pricing for the 2026 program year. This should make the program more responsive for livestock producers. We will continue to advocate for the allowable feed expenses to become permanent as well.' From the years 2018 to 2023, the AgriStability program paid out more than $645 million in benefits, and payments are trending higher for the 2024 program year. The deadline for producers to enrol in the 2025 AgriStability is fast approaching, even though it has been extended to July 31 (from April 30). Chinese tariffs continue to worry canola producers During the virtual meeting between MacDonald and provincial and territorial ag ministers, the Chinese canola tariff was another hot topic. Put in place back in March, China imposed a 100 per cent tariff on Canadian canola oil and meal, which was in response to Canada's tariff on Chinese electric vehicles, steel, and aluminum. 'Our trade is a moving target,' Harrison told the World-Spectator. 'My biggest question from producers is China, and the canola oil and canola meal specifically— peas as well. They're worried about the trade with China, because China's tariffs are counter tariffs in response to our federal government's 100 per cent EV tariffs.' Harrison says there appears to be no movement with regards to the Chinese canola tariff 'I brought it up at the FPT call, but also directly to Minister McDonald,' Harrison explained. 'He said there are talks going on, that they are engaged. I said, 'that's the first question that's most often asked,' and the fact there's been little or no mention to it in any of the federal government's dialogue, nor in any media. Not knowing anything is probably worse than getting bad news, but most certainly, everybody's kind of waiting on pins and needles just to see. It's a huge cash crop for our producers, and then our canola crushers are also right in the middle of this.' Harrison also continues to be boggled as to the reasoning behind the retaliatory tariffs from China, citing the Chinese EV market in Canada doesn't seem to be all too large. 'We've been pushing the federal government since the counter tariffs came in, and actually even prior to it, because we knew when they initiated the tariffs on EV vehicles, that there could be repercussions, and there eventually was,' he said. 'We still continue to pressure the federal government—the new prime minister and new federal ag minister—they need to engage with China on a nation to nation level and get this resolved. 'I'm not sure that there's even an electric vehicle market here in Canada to try to protect, so it's really unclear as to what the intention was of our federal government to impose this in the first place,' Harrison concluded. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? 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Hamilton Spectator
6 days ago
- Business
- Hamilton Spectator
Working group examines the farm uses of emerging technology
Producers and industry professionals travelled to the Simcoe crop research centre this week to see some of the latest robotics technology. The AgRobotics Working Group (AgRobotics WG) hosted an in-field demonstration of robotic technology on July 22. The event, sponsored by Finite Farms, FCC's AgExpert, and the University of Guelph, showcased more than a dozen different robots and technologies. The event took place at the Ontario Crops Research Station – Simcoe. 'The goal with the demo event is to be able to showcase as much as possible the technology in the field in use, so that it's kind of like that first touch point with them, for a potential customer, and for the customer, it's also they get to see an opportunity to see a robot in action,' Bridget Mahon, AgRobotics project manager. These events are part of the project AgRobtics WG, which is funded by the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food, and Agribusiness. The working group comprises a network of people across Canada and even some abroad. They meet every Friday morning to discuss advancing the adoption of agricultural robotics. Currently, they are primarily focused on robotics in the field of crop production or greenhouse farming. 'We have over 400 members on our working group. I would say we typically see about 70... every Friday morning. [At the meetings] we have a guest speaker, and then we do a round table discussion,' said Mahon. She told The Observer that they do accept presentations from across the board, and that there is 'also a lot of vision systems, drone systems, AI-based stuff as well that's kind of looped into that in more of the ag tech side.' AgRobotics WG is funded through the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP), where they have allocated a certain amount per year until 2028 for projects to be field-tested. These field tests are open to commercially ready projects, allowing them to be demonstrated in the field to prove the concept to buyers. Projects must be at a commercial readiness level of seven or higher on a scale of ten. 'Where somebody comes with a really cool robotic idea, but they have to [prove it] in the fields before they're going to get a mass adoption from farmers,' added Mahon. These field tests look to answer questions such as 'How does it work in field crops? What kind of tasks can they do?' The primary tasks these robots handle include planting, harvesting, cultivation and controlling weeds. The working group also examines drones and other mapping technologies. Having the demonstrations provides various touchpoints for these technology producers, said Mahon. 'It's like they are trying to look for their end customer, but farmers can be a little fickle when they're spending money on different software and hardware and that kind of thing, because you want to make sure it works.' More information about the group's work can be found online at . Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
Global News
7 days ago
- Business
- Global News
Manitoba, federal ag ministers announce funding for local food processors
Nineteen food processors in Manitoba will share in more than $6 million in provincial and federal funding, Manitoba's agriculture minister announced Wednesday. Ron Kostyshyn, in a statement alongside federal agriculture and agri-food minister Heath MacDonald, said the money — via the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership — will go toward expanding facilities, and upgrading equipment and technology. Story continues below advertisement 'These investments support our economy, strengthen our communities and ensure sustainable food security for generations,' said Kostyshyn. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy 'By enhancing our local food infrastructure, we help to create jobs, reduce our carbon footprint and foster a resilient food system that benefits everyone.' Among projects receiving funding are Brandon's Maple Leaf facility, along with Jowett Farms (Blumenort), River Valley Specialty Farms (Bagot), Prairie Flour Mills (Elie), Buffalo Creek Mills (Altona), and Prairie Fava (Glenboro). 'When we invest in food processors, we're helping them grow, stay competitive and ensure they can keep putting their high-quality food on tables here in Canada and around the world,' said MacDonald.
Yahoo
16-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Officials announce multimillion-dollar initiative to bolster agriculture in crucial region: 'Thrilled to see this vital investment'
The Niagara Irrigation Initiative, a new collaborative project dedicated to constructing irrigation infrastructure on behalf of the agricultural communities of Lincoln and West St. Catharines, Canada, recently secured $1.8 million in funding from the Canadian government and the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture. According to PelhamToday, this initiative aspires to advance farming capabilities throughout the region, making it both an environmental and economic investment for the parties involved. More efficient and less wasteful irrigation systems can enhance the agricultural yield of the specialty crops — such as grapes and tender fruits — which the unique Niagara climate makes possible to cultivate. In particular, the next steps for the project include establishing a preliminary irrigation design that upgrades and merges the multiple irrigation systems in place in the town of Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario. Funding for the Niagara Irrigation Project comes through the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership, a multibillion-dollar five-year investment by Canadian governments of all sizes aimed at developing the resilience and innovative potential of the nation's agricultural underbelly — ensuring "long-term stability for growers and local jobs, all of which contribute to Ontario's economy," as Canada Infrastructure Bank CEO Ehren Cory explained to PelhamToday. As a changing climate continues to threaten both the livelihood of farmers and the persistence of crops through tough seasons, taking measures to protect the agricultural sector has become increasingly essential. Thanks to the current rate of global carbon pollution, temperatures are rising worldwide, leading to increased volatility in both overall weather patterns and isolated weather phenomena. Floods, storms, wildfires, and other extreme weather events are supercharged by our warming planet, making them even more devastating for humans and crops alike. As a result, while projects like the Niagara Irrigation Initiative may not tackle the carbon problem head-on, they serve as a powerful protective measure against the onslaught of climate change. In fact, the implementation of better irrigation systems is likely synonymous with a wiser and more cautious use of water, delivering exactly what the root systems need with minimal waste. "I'm thrilled to see this vital investment in the Niagara Irrigation Project," reported farmer and project chair David Hipple. "New and improved irrigation systems aren't just about efficiency; it's about protecting livelihoods, supporting food security, and ensuring that future generations can continue to farm this land." "This partnership shows what we can achieve when all levels of government and community partners come together to support our agricultural sector," added Jim Bradley of the Ontario Regional Council. What single change would make the biggest dent in your personal food waste? Not buying food I don't need Freezing my food before it goes bad Using my leftovers more effectively Composting my food scraps Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Winnipeg Free Press
08-07-2025
- Business
- Winnipeg Free Press
Manitoba positioned to champion agricultural innovation
Opinion Before June's G7 summit in Kananaskis, Alta., the national farm organizations from each member country released a joint statement. The text emphasized how G7 farmers find themselves at the crossroads of numerous global challenges — 'maintaining productivity in the face of market instability, ensuring food security amid geopolitical uncertainty, and adapting to climate imperatives without sacrificing competitiveness.' However, 'with the right tools, policies, and support,' said Keith Currie, the president of the Canadian Federation of Agriculture, 'farmers can continue to lead the way toward a more sustainable and secure future for all.' Manitoba can, and should, be at the forefront of these efforts. Our province is home to world class manufacturers such as MacDon and Elmer's Manufacturing who design and manufacture equipment right here in Manitoba before shipping it around the world. We are also home to one of Canada's only full-scale commercial smart farms. Since launching Innovation Farms powered by AgExpert in 2022, EMILI has seen first-hand the importance of supporting technology that empowers producers and increases economic and environmental sustainability across the Prairies. If Canada is to realize its place as a global leader in digital agriculture, the time to act is now. One reason is necessity: agriculture and agri-food are central to our province's economy and communities. When combined, they are responsible for the majority of provincial exports and one in 20 Manitoban jobs. Another reason is timing: discussions are already underway between federal, provincial and territorial (FPT) governments to craft a successor to the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership, or S-CAP. Originally scheduled to be held in Winnipeg this July, in-person FPT meetings have been postponed till fall due to wildfire complications, with the Manitoba government convening virtual discussions in the interim. Launched in 2023, the five-year, $3.5-billion agreement created a suite of programs to position Canada as a world leader in agri-food production and environmental responsibility. However, S-CAP lacked serious attention to digital technology trends within the sector. It was a missed opportunity — one that must not be repeated in whatever deal comes next. Instead, the next FPT agreement must meet the moment wherein the global economy is rapidly digitizing and true wealth generation stems from ownership of intangible assets — mainly data and intellectual property. Canadian producers currently still face too many barriers to accessing the emerging tools and technologies, and harnessing their data in value-added ways beneficial to them. Feeding into producer demand for digital tools will support Canada's vibrant ecosystem of domestic agtech companies as well. This includes Made-in-Manitoba success stories like TerraWave, Bushel Plus and Agi3, among others. Bringing new products to market is always a challenge — in specialized industries like agriculture, even more so. Without strong customer uptake of a new product or service, it can be difficult for startups to scale up. To strengthen the Canadian agri-food sector federal and provincial governments must act now to make digital agriculture a national strategic priority. This could come in several forms, each detailed in a recent research report, The future is digital: Digital agriculture and Canadian agriculture policy, produced by the Canadian Agri-Food Policy Institute and EMILI. First, support for digital agtech adoption must be a core pillar of FPT policy framework agreement. At the same time, provincial and territorial governments should develop their own 10-year digital agriculture action plan to drive strategic policy responses over a longer time horizon. Second, governments should fund and facilitate the creation of regional digital agriculture hubs to address these issues and facilitate collaborative projects to develop and adopt digital agriculture tools in real life settings, tailored to regionally specific needs. EMILI's Innovation Farms is a perfect example of this type of model already in action, testing more than 30 agtech solutions and welcoming hundreds of visitors this growing season alone. Governments and technology companies should collaborate to compensate producers for large-scale testing of mature technologies, aiming for numerous sites across the country with more than 5,000 acres active in commercial technology testing by 2030. Fourth, the federal government should foster the development of markets that leverage agricultural data to provide tangible value to farmers, such as premium pricing for traceability in export markets. In the Netherlands, for example, Dutch fruit and vegetable growers can earn higher prices by proving their produce is pesticide-free using farm data. As organizers of this year's FPT meetings Manitoba has the opportunity, experience and expertise to be a true champion of digital agriculture by placing it high on the agenda and weaving it prominently into talks around the group's next agreement. There's no time to waste. Jacqueline Keena is managing director at EMILI, and a professional agrologist with degrees in agribusiness and public policy.
