(Alice McFarlane/farmnewsNOW Staff)

By Alice McFarlane

Agriculture Roundup

Agriculture Roundup for Friday August 23, 2019

Aug 23, 2019 | 9:00 AM

Canadian National Railway has established a committee to find ways to better understand issues affecting the agriculture sector.

The CN Agricultural Advisory Council will be led by former Saskatchewan Agriculture deputy minister Alanna Koch.

There will be representatives from the three Prairie provinces as well as the Alberta Barley, Grain Growers of Canada, Alberta Pulse Growers, Manitoba Wheat and Barley Growers Association and the Western Canadian Wheat Growers Association.

The council’s 10 members are to give CN Rail input on grain plans and trade issues.

CN says it wants to hear the good, the bad and the ugly so it will know when it is not performing well.

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The Canadian Crop Hail Association is urging farmers to leave adequate samples of damaged crops as harvest begins across Western Canada.

It says these samples will make it easier for insurance adjusters to accurately process claims.

So far the amount of damage this season is about the same as this time last year.

The association says to date farmers have made about 10,000 claims.

The hail season ends in October.

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The federal government will contribute $1.6 million to Pulse Canada.

Agriculture Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau said the funding will provide support for two main activities. This includes the establishment of harmonized pulse ingredient standards and the development of data and tools to build awareness about the sustainability benefits of Canadian pulses and cropping systems that include pulses.

Pulse Canada will generate tools and data that highlight the quality and nutritional density of Canadian pulses and the environmental benefits of the industry.

Canada is the world’s largest exporter of pulse crops and the largest producer and exporter of peas and lentils globally.

Bibeau made the announcement at the Canadian Pulse and Special Crops Convention in Montreal.

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alice.mcfarlane@jpbg.ca

On twitter: @AliceMcF