Built on strong variety development, Canadian grain has a solid reputation for high quality. However, industry experts increasingly warn this has been put at risk by waning investment, a cumbersome variety registration process and plant breeders’ rights that are often criticized as weak.
Robin Nikkel fondly recalls playing with toy farm equipment as a child at his family’s farm near Morden, MB. “I did a lot of carpet farming and making hay on the front lawn,” said Nikkel, who now operates an auto transport company in Delta, B.C.
When barley germinates prior to harvest or in the bin it can cause significant problems for the maltster to achieve a high-quality malt product. Maltsters generally reject barley that exhibits significant pre-harvest sprouting. The livestock industry also typically discounts pre-sprouted feed barley.
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.
Cereals Canada welcomes the signing of the Canada-Indonesia Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA). Set to take effect in 2026, an exact date has not been set. This groundbreaking agreement promises to usher in a new era of growth and innovation for the Canadian cereals industry and solidify Canada’s position in the Indonesian market.
Though the recent departure of the Field Crop Development Centre (FCDC) has affected its rating, Olds College of Agriculture and Technology remains highly ranked in Canada’s top 50 research colleges, according to Research Infosource Inc. In December 2024, the research, consulting and publishing firm placed the institution at No. 14.
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.
