(Twitter/@KowalchukFarms)

By Alice McFarlane

Agriculture Roundup

Agriculture Roundup for Wednesday January 22, 2020

Jan 22, 2020 | 9:57 AM

Federal Agriculture Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau asked provincial ministers for data on the impact of the carbon tax on farmers and Keystone Agricultural Producers (KAP) have delivered.

Speaking at Manitoba Ag Days, KAP President Bill Campbell said corn growers in that province have paid almost $1.7 million in federal carbon tax related to the cost of drying.

KAP said initial data shows the average producer paid $3.69 per acre in carbon tax on grain drying, including propane and natural gas. A typical Manitoba farmer growing 500 acres of corn spent roughly $14,000 on fuel for drying. The carbon tax added $1,700 to their bill.

KAP is asking farmers at Manitoba Ag Days in Brandon to stop at its booth and share their fuel bills.

Campbell said there needs to be an exemption for farmers under the carbon tax framework for all the costs associated with drying all grain, as well as heating barns and farm buildings.

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HAMS Marketing Services is hopeful Chinese demand for U.S. pork will lead to higher hog prices this year.

Despite record U.S. slaughter hog numbers, prices have been holding steady since the start of 2020.

HAMS Director of Risk Management Tyler Fulton said there is an expectation of increased movements of pork to China, especially after the signing of the U.S.-China trade deal.

Fulton said he is still skeptical about the impact, but the U.S. could increase their shipments to China to roughly one million metric tonnes of pork in 2020, which would result in a significant price increase.

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A “Buy Canadian” advertising campaign focused on local food and the national agricultural system will be rolling out in the coming months.

Agriculture Canada started seeking bids for a firm to design and implement the $25 million campaign.

Agriculture Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau said the campaign will build consumer confidence and pride in Canada’s food producers and highlight the advantages of their products.

Companies have until Feb. 18 to submit a pitch.

The first priority of the campaign is to raise awareness of the standards and practices in Canadian agriculture. Another goal is to make it easier for Canadians to identify domestic products.

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alice.mcfarlane@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @AliceMcF