Agriculture and Critical Infrastructure and Essential Services

Alberta Wheat and Barley Commissions have called on governments for a unified approach to including agriculture as essential services and critical infrastructure.  Many provinces have enacted emergency measures; defining essential services and critical infrastructure. Most provinces have included the agriculture value chain – but not with any consistency. The federal government has stated that they

Markets and Grain Prices – Could wheat be the new toilet paper?

In these unprecedented times, the international buyers of agricultural products are dealing with two major risks from grain exporting countries infected with COVID: Will the supply chains continue to operate so the export of grains can continue? Will governments continue to allow the export of grains? While there are no known issues with supply chains

Temporary Foreign Workers will receive a travel ban exemption

The federal government has announced that a travel ban exemption is now in effect for Temporary Foreign Workers (TFWs). Employers using all streams of the program are able to make arrangements for workers to enter Canada. TFWs, like all travelers arriving in Canada, are subject to a 14-day mandatory quarantine period before they are able

Agricultural Research will be impacted by the pandemic

University classes have moved online, meaning academics have had to pause to adjust the delivery of their lectures. University facilities have faced closures and all non-essential research is ceased. At AAFC, buildings are closed to the public. Essential work is ongoing. Essential work includes germplasm maintenance, livestock care and insect colony care. Maintaining germplasm means

Class 1 Mandatory Entry Level Training – emergency licensing in effect

Effective March 20, the Government of Alberta suspended commercial and passenger road tests for at least four weeks. Road tests will resume when it is safe to do so. Albertans who have a road test scheduled will be able to rebook online as of April 17, 2020 for a test on April 20, 2020 or

Grain movement – rail and ports moving above average levels of grain

Port of Vancouver Port of Vancouver continues to operate as normal and non-essential inside staff have been sent to work at home. There are no anticipated work disruptions from the port or unions and it does not appear that boarder closures are impacting docking or crews. The total number of container ship sailings cancelled to

Agricultural Financial Supports Announced by Federal/Provincial Government

Advanced Payment Programs Farm Cash All eligible farmers who have outstanding Advance Payments Program (APP) loans due on or before April 30, 2020 will receive a Stay of Default, allowing them an additional six months to repay their APP loans. FarmCash customers with outstanding 2018 loans that were due March 31 now have a Stay

Value Chain Committed to Ongoing Operations

With the seeding season upcoming, the uncertainty of supply chain operations is front of mind. Crop input retailers, grain elevators, malt houses, grain mills, bakeries, railways, and export ports are concerned about having to reduce their operations should their staff, or the staff of their customers, become ill. All of these businesses are modifying their operations

Alberta Feed Barley Survey 2019