The LineUp
The LineUp content hub features the latest releases and articles as they are distributed by Newsline, and it serves as a central location for the agriculture sector and media professionals to stay informed and up to date.
Manitoba Crop Alliance opens nominations for delegate positions on crop committees
July 2, 2024 (Carman, MB) – Manitoba Crop Alliance (MCA) is now accepting nominations from farmer members to serve as delegates on its four crop committees. “Our unique governance structure ensures a strong voice for each crop type we represent,” says MCA CEO Pam de Rocquigny. “It also provides plenty of opportunities for a whole-farm, cross-commodity approach to decision-making, which is important because the majority of our farmer members grow several different crops.” MCA delegates work towards strengthening the mandate of research, agronomy, market development and access, and communication and advocacy initiatives within each of the four crop committees: corn, flax, sunflower, and wheat and barley. They also receive personal growth opportunities, such as the chance to network with fellow farmers, researchers and industry stakeholders, while gaining a deeper understanding of all the crop industries MCA represents. This nomination period, there are four open positions on each of the corn, flax and sunflower committees, as well as five open positions on the wheat and barley committee. “We take great pride in the collaborative, farmer-driven nature of our organization,” says de Rocquigny. “By becoming a delegate, farmer members get to help determine how their check-off dollars are invested. I encourage farmer …
AAFC Announces New Canadian National Barley Cluster
June 12, 2024 (Saskatoon, SK) – Earlier today, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) announced a new Canadian National Barley Cluster, a significant initiative aimed at advancing barley production in Canada. With a value of $9.6 million over five years, this Cluster will drive research efforts to enhance the competitiveness and resilience of the Canadian barley industry. More than just a financial commitment, the Barley Cluster represents a united front in securing the future of the barley value chain. Administered by the Canadian Barley Research Coalition (CBRC), the new Barley Cluster will fund research projects that advance feed barley, barley genetics, agronomy, disease resistance and sustainability to make it a more resilient and profitable crop for Canadian farmers and end users. “Barley provides a high-quality grain to many industries like the livestock sector, while malting barley supports the Canadian brewing industry,” said the Honourable Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food. “This research will help producers incorporate climate-resilient barley crops into their operations to increase the profitability of their farms.” “Barley is an important crop on my farm and on grain farms across the country,” said Cody Glenn, CBRC Chair and farmer from Climax, SK. “We are really pleased to have …
Capital Gains Inclusion Rate Changes Will Increase Taxes by 30 per cent on Family Farms
June 11, 2024 (Ottawa, ON) – After weeks of research and consultation with farm tax accountants, Grain Growers of Canada (GGC) revealed that the capital gains inclusion rate changes will increase taxes by 30 per cent on family-run grain farms. The research details the anticipated impacts of the increase, which is set to take effect on June 25. “Our research shows that an average grain farm in Canada, most of which are family owned and operated, will see a tax increase of 30 per cent due to the two-thirds capital gains inclusion rate.” said Kyle Larkin, Executive Director of GGC. “This hike targets farmers’ retirement plans, complicates intergenerational transfers, and threatens the long-term viability of family farms across the country.” According to GGC research, an 800-acre farm purchased in 1996 in Ontario would incur nearly $1.2 million in additional taxes if sold today, while a 4,000-acre farm in Saskatchewan would face an increase of just over $900,000. “With over 40 per cent of farmers nearing retirement over the next decade, this tax increase introduces substantial uncertainty into their retirement planning,” said Andre Harpe, GGC Chair and a grain grower who farms alongside his wife and daughter in Alberta. “Despite Budget …
New Fusarium head blight mapping tool now available to farmers across the Prairies
May 15, 2024 – New Prairie-wide Fusarium head blight (FHB) risk maps are now available to producers in Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta. The tool provides assessment of Fusarium head blight index (FHBi), Fusarium-damaged kernels (FDK), and Deoxynivalenol (DON) risk levels in spring wheat, winter wheat, barley and durum based on weather conditions. These risk maps were created as part of a three-year research project led by the University of Manitoba’s Dr. Paul Bullock, with collaborators from Alberta Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation, Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture, Manitoba Agriculture, Manitoba Crop Alliance (MCA), Saskatchewan Wheat Development Commission (Sask Wheat), Saskatchewan Barley Development Commission (SaskBarley) and Alberta Grains. “The Faculty is very pleased to release this important risk management tool for the agriculture industry,” says Dr. Martin Scanlon, dean of the faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences at the University of Manitoba. “The project is a great example of multi-institutional collaboration, where the combined skills and talents of both federal and provincial agricultural personnel, plus university collaborators, has facilitated research outcomes that could not have been achieved otherwise.” The weather-based risk is calculated using real-time weather data from more than 500 stations operated by Environment and Climate Change Canada, the Manitoba AgWeather …
Grain Growers of Canada (GGC) Welcomes Canadian Food Inspection Agency’s (CFIA) Finalized Guidance for Gene Edited Plants, Opening Doors to Agricultural Innovation
(OTTAWA, ON – May 3, 2024) – GGC today applauds the release of CFIA’s long awaited final guidance on novel feed, marking the completion of a trio of regulatory updates that enable the introduction of gene-edited crops in Canada. These updates, initiated in 2018, are designed to foster agricultural innovation in plant breeding by addressing today’s farming challenges such as pest and disease management, yield improvements, drought resistance, and the nutritional quality of crops. “This progress opens doors to innovation in Canadian agriculture, enabling the introduction of gene-edited crops that meet pressing agricultural challenges like drought, pests, and diseases, while enhancing nutritional quality,” said Andre Harpe, Chair of Grain Growers of Canada. “The updated guidance enables us to use the latest innovation in plant technology to produce nutritious and affordable food for Canadians and our international customers.” The regulatory guidance aligns Canada’s regulations with our trading partners, ensuring Canadian farmers remain competitive globally. It is based on rigorous, science-driven assessments that guarantee the safety and efficacy of gene-edited crops. “Completing this trio of regulations is a milestone that began five years ago, reflecting our joint commitment with government agencies to promote a regulatory environment that supports innovation while ensuring safety …
Canada Grains Council Embraces New CFIA Guidance for Gene Edited Plants
(OTTAWA, ON – MAY 3, 2024) – Today marks a significant milestone for Canada’s agricultural sector as the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) unveils its latest livestock feed guidance, completing the trio of policy updates crucial for clarifying Canada’s requirements for gene-edited crops. This completes a process to enable innovation that began in 2018, when Canada’s seed and grain sectors called on Canadian regulators to clarify their policies for gene edited plants. In response, Krista Thomas, Vice President Trade Policy, Seed Innovation, for the Canada Grains Council issued the following: “This is a ground-breaking day for Canadian agriculture, as the Canadian Food Inspection Agency confirms its livestock feed guidance, marking the final piece in a series of vital policy updates that began in 2018. With this final piece in place, Health Canada and the CFIA have now answered longstanding calls from the seed and grain sectors for predictable, clear, and consistent policies for gene edited crops. “We are pleased to see Canada maintaining a science-based and product-based regulatory approach. This means that gene-edited plants, which closely resemble traditionally-bred varieties, will be treated the same way—an approach many of our trading partners are also following. By aligning our policies with trading …
Grain Growers of Canada Launch Road to 2050 Policy Recommendations
April 9, 2024 (Ottawa, ON) – Today, Grain Growers of Canada (GGC) launched its Road to 2050 policy recommendations, an initiative aimed at shaping federal government programs for the sustainable intensification of the grain sector. The launch comes against the backdrop of critical challenges, including the need to feed an expanding global population, address climate change, and maintain the economic viability of Canada’s grain farms. “Facing the urgent need to feed more people, tackle climate change, and keep grain farms profitable, Canadian grain growers are leading with innovative sustainable practices. These efforts not only reduce our carbon footprint but also play a crucial role in achieving Canada’s climate goals,” said Andre Harpe, GGC Chair. Over the past two decades, the grain sector has achieved considerable strides in environmental sustainability by maintaining stable greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions while increasing production. This resulted in a 50% reduction in GHG emission intensity from 1997 to 2017 in the agriculture sector, surpassing the 36% reduction across the Canadian economy during the same timeframe. With a $30 billion contribution to Canada’s GDP, the grain sector recognizes the necessity of continuous innovation and investment to sustain production. “For decades, grain farmers have been at the forefront …
Grain Growers of Canada Applauds Government Boost to Farmer Support Through Enhanced Loan Program
March 25, 2024 (Ottawa, ON) – Grain Growers of Canada applauds the Government of Canada’s announcement today to offer a $250,000 interest-free portion of the Advance Payments Program (APP) this year to farmers across Canada. APP advances are important in supporting the cash flow of grain farmers to meet their financial needs until they’re able to sell their grain. “We commend Minister MacAulay and the government for this announcement that will support thousands of grain farmers across the country,” stated Andre Harpe, Chair of GGC. “With the rising cost of inputs and low grain prices at harvest, a higher interest free portion of the APP is needed.” GGC recognizes the importance of early announcements like this, which provide both predictability and stability, ensuring that grain farmers and administrators can efficiently plan their financial strategies for the year ahead. GGC looks forward to working with the government to ensure the APP continues to support grain farmers. Kyle Larkin, Executive Director of Grain Growers of Canada, is available for interview. -30- About Grain Growers of Canada (GGC): As the national voice for Canada’s grain farmers, Grain Growers of Canada (GGC) represents over 65,000 producers through our 14 national, provincial and regional …
