Reading Time: < 1 minute Warmer than normal temperatures are expected across all of Canada through the winter months, with average precipitation for most of the agricultural areas of the Prairies, according to the latest long-range seasonal forecast from Environment and Climate Change Canada, released Dec. 31.
Warmer winter likely across Canada
High probability of warm spring to follow, long-range forecast shows
Hepworth honoured for agricultural achievements
The London, Ont. resident started as a Sask. farmer and vet before moving to politics, then research
Reading Time: < 1 minute Lorne Hepworth, former Saskatchewan agriculture minister and current chair of the Agriculture Research Institute of Ontario, has been named a member of the Order of Canada.
Commodity prices to remain high in 2024, drop in 2025 – HSBC
Most agricultural products expected to outperform energy, industrial metals amid supply constraints, dry weather
Reading Time: < 1 minute Squeezed supply, improved Chinese demand and the global energy transition will keep commodity prices elevated in 2024, before falling the following year, forecasted British banking group HSBC today.
Smaller U.S. swine herd likely as Prop 12 takes effect, think tank says
Canadian pork sector concerned the animal welfare law will act as a non-tariff trade barrier
Reading Time: 2 minutes The cost of compliance with a California animal welfare law, which takes full effect on New Year’s Day, will likely shrink the U.S. national hog herd and lead to further consolidation, a Washington State think tank says. “No one will be spared the change in market pressures,” wrote Pam Lewison, director for the Washington Policy […] Read more
Feds ask for public input on standards for municipal waste to be used for fertilizer
Municipal biosolids contain chemicals that don’t degrade, are toxic to humans, environment
Reading Time: < 1 minute The federal government is asking for public input as it prepares to implement interim rules for municipal wastes imported into Canada or sold as fertilizer.
Global hunger stalled well above pre-pandemic levels
Intersecting crises of conflict, climate and economics have hit struggling communities hard says Foodgrains Bank
Reading Time: 2 minutes The number of people experiencing hunger around the world remains far higher than pre-pandemic levels, but is still "significantly better" than 20 years ago, the Canadian Foodgrains Bank says.
Railways blast past revenue cap
Grain moved was up 60 per cent from last season on drought recovery
Reading Time: < 1 minute Canada's two big railways will have a $7.1 million Christmas present for the Western Grains Research Foundations following a ruling they exceeded their revenue caps in 2022-23.
Başak Traktör of Turkey looks to move Versatile brand forward
Buhler Industries announced the Turkish firm had bought its majority stake
Reading Time: 4 minutes “One of the keys for us was making sure we found a partner that was committed to preserving the Versatile and Farm King brands,” said Adam Reid, VP of sales and marketing at Versatile. “We wanted to make sure the viability of the plant here in Winnipeg and our staff was secure. And taking care of all of our stakeholders, the suppliers, shareholders.”
Bourgault becomes third shortliner acquired by Linamar since 2017
Leadership say they want to double the business of the maker of Highline equipment and Freeform Plastics
Reading Time: 3 minutes In 2017 Linamar, a company best known as an auto parts manufacturer, purchased Winnipeg-based header and swather manufacturer MacDon. It followed that up by bringing implement brand Salford into its fold in 2022. In late December the company announced it is now adding Saskatchewan-based air drill manufacturer Bourgault into its family of shortline ag equipment brands.
Urban school farm opens world of opportunity to British teens
Students from the underprivileged community have won acclaim at ag fairs, and some have gone on to be farmers, vets
Reading Time: 2 minutes The rural life of rearing rare breed sheep and nurturing alpacas is a world away for many urban teenagers. Yet a British school near Liverpool has opened its pupils to a wealth of jobs in agriculture and the benefits of nature with its own farm.
A message from April Stewart, Country Guide's Associate Editor
