The Federal Government is increasing the loan limits under the Advanced Payments Program from $400,000 to $1-million on all commodities. Advances on canola will also be interest free up to $500,000.

Canadian exporters say China importers are no longer purchasing Canadian canola seed. The Canola Council of Canada is urging the federal government to intensify efforts to resolve the situation.

In this 2018 recap, Alberta Ag Minister Oneil Carlier talks about the rough harvest, the new USMCA deal, CN and CP’s ability to get grain to market and whether the province buying new rail cars to transport oil will interfere with that. He also talks about the results of his trade mission to India and the local food councils.

Alberta Beef Producers Executive Director Rich Smith discusses the issues in 2017 including the struggle against the weather, how they are keeping a sharp eye on trade deals, the size of the provincial herd and a few other topics. All in this discussion with Rural Roots Canada.

The country’s chief negotiator during the formation of the North American Free Trade Agreement has been paying close attention to the Trans Pacific Partnership talks and believes there are some parallels drawn to that of the talks leading up to a deal on NAFTA.