The Canadian agriculture sector understands the care and effort it takes to produce high-quality crops. We know this commitment is what sets Canadian malting barley apart. As sustainability becomes a top priority for end-users, Canada is uniquely positioned to meet these demands thanks to the stewardship and innovation of our farmers.
When I became a market analyst 20 years ago, the world of agriculture seemed simpler. Today, I must admit to a deep frustration. My favoured method of analysis is so-called fundamentals. Calculating the difference between supply and demand is a matter of real-world mathematics. If this difference narrows, as measured by ending stocks, prices should respond favourably (bullish). If the surplus expands, prices come under pressure (bearish). A key component of fundamental analysis is having strong confidence in reliable data; the analysis is only as good as the underlying inputs. I have confidently relied on good data most of my career.
Canada is a strong international competitor in durum marketing. Over the past five years, it has exported more than 23 million tonnes. The country’s approach is straightforward: Winning isn’t everything, it’s the only thing. Market dominance is not easy to maintain given factors such as new Russian and Turkish production.
Conversation about ESG continues to increase in volume as these three letters bleed into many facets of life. An acronym for “environmental, social and governance,” the idiom was coined in a 2004 report by the United Nations titled Who Cares Wins. This slightly fluid term delineates the notion that people in any given business sector need to show their work when it comes to taking care of the planet, treating people well and operating in a sustainable, that is, socially acceptable, fashion.
We grew up on family farms in the same area; my mom and dad farming east of Three Hills and his parents running a farm and feedlot on the other side of town. We were both in our 30s and farming full time on our respective family farms when a breakdown in family relationships made it untenable for him and his wife Kendra to carry on with business as usual.
Seed growers are at the forefront of advancement in crop production, said Kelly Chambers, executive director of Alberta-British Columbia Seed Growers (ABCSG). They specialize in production and multiplication of plant breeder stock that produces certified, blue tag seed for commercial production. Alberta’s 662 certified seed growers farmed 307,711 acres of pedigreed seed in 2024, about 25 per cent of Canadian pedigreed acreage.
Commitment is a stressful word for farmers who are subject to the unpredictability of the weather and grain markets. Forward contracts with buyers allow them to lock in a cash price long before the grain is delivered. In doing so, these agreements reduce downside price risk and uncertainty.
Protein Industries Canada is now accepting expressions of interest for a new round of technology projects with a focus on the blending of pulses and cereals. The main goal of this $10 million undertaking is to create the next generation of high-protein, plant-based ingredients and food products.
Some have dubbed it “The Parthenon of Booze.” But Bryce Parsons, CEO and founder of True Wild Distilling, said the business’s impressive Calgary headquarters is a showcase for Alberta agriculture. The $14 million destination distillery, restaurant and event space is housed in a decommissioned electrical substation built in 1911. It boasts an imposingly beautiful white edifice, hence the reference to the ancient architectural wonder.
Grain Growers of Canada (GGC) has long raised concerns the deal may negatively impact Canadian farmers. The organization has cited warnings from the Canadian Competition Bureau and a University of Saskatchewan report that determined farmers will take a $770 million revenue loss should the deal go through without divestment from G3.
