News - Economy

The crop year will end tomorrow showing the largest Canadian wheat exports in nine years and the second-highest grain revenues in history for western Canadian farmers.

Canada’s federal, provincial and territorial Ministers of Agriculture held their annual meeting in Niagara-on-the-Lake this week to discuss issues affecting the sector and their ongoing support for farmers and the agricultural and agri-food sector across the country.

The chair of the Canadian Swine Health Board says, despite the economic challenges, the health status of the Canadian swine herd gives the Canadian pork industry an edge in the global market place.

The Honourable Jean-Pierre Blackburn, Minister of National Revenue and Minister of State (Agriculture) is encouraging all potential applicants to apply for the new federal Slaughter Improvement Program (SIP).

A director on the Manitoba Farm Mediation Board says maintaining communications within the family and with creditors is key to dealing with the economic crisis being experienced on Manitoba hog farms.

Rural small businesses will benefit from the new Rural Small Businesses Operating Credit Guarantee program (RSB), Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives Minister Rosann Wowchuk announced.

A director with the Saskatchewan Pork Development Board says the pork industry has reached a crisis point where some method needs to be found to get cash into the hands of producers.

A livestock Economist with the Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture says export demand for pork will be key to improving hog prices over the next few months.

The Canadian Pork Council (CPC) welcomes the Government of Canada’s efforts to expand international agriculture markets during this time of economic uncertainty, and strongly urges the government to engage in negotiations of an ambitious trade and economic agreement with the European Union.

The Harper Government’s Economic Action Plan is already delivering real results for Canadian farm businesses and farm families, Minister of Agriculture Gerry Ritz reported.