First Ever National Grain Week

Grain farmers from across Canada are in Ottawa this week for the inaugural National Grain Week, hosted by Grain Growers of Canada (GGC).

Farmers will be advocating for policies that increase their competitiveness and sustainability.

“There is a lot to celebrate about being a grain farmer right now,” said GGC President, Jeff Nielsen. “An ambitious trade agenda, investments in science and innovation and the Canadian Agriculture Partnership show that the Government understands that agriculture is made up of hard working middle class Canadians and is a key sector for growth, benefiting the economy as a whole.”

He added that they look forward to working with all partners in the nation's capital to deliver on grain grower priorities such as getting the amended Bill C-49 passed by the House of Commons as quickly as possible.

 

Abundance in Red Meat Supplies Putting Pressure on Cattle Markets

Manager and Senior Analyst with CanFax, Brian Perillat, says the cattle markets have been under pressure recently.

He says, the struggles in the hog markets, are also impacting the beef markets.

"They're definitely inter-related, just on the fact that red meat supplies are certainly growing and as pork really cheapens up, which it has, hog prices have come under pressure and cheaper pork at the retail counter certainly competes with beef and it adds a bit of a pressure that weighs on the beef side. Both beef and pork exports have been strong but pork maybe not as much, meaning more meat in North America needing to be consumed, which weighs a bit on the cattle markets as well."

Perillat says, the rising Canadian dollar has also put pressure on the cattle markets.

 

Nominations Open for the Alberta Agriculture Hall of Fame

Now's the time to nominate co-workers, neighbours, and industry members for the Alberta Agriculture Hall of Fame.

Alberta's Minister of Agriculture and Forestry, Oneil Carlier, says the Hall of Fame is a very exclusive club.

"Since 1951, there's only 132 inductees. It happens every two years, not a yearly thing, and nominees are then selected and then three individuals are then selected to become part of the Hall of Fame."

Carlier says, the Hall of Fame is for high caliber individuals, but he knows there's lots of these people in Alberta.

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