‘So God Made a Farmer’ Super Bowl ad kicks off year long campaign
While you were busy arm-chair quarter-backing your team during the Super Bowl on Sunday you may have stumbled upon the “The Year of the Farmer” ad done by Ram Trucks.
The “So God Made a Farmer” ad is the kick-off of a campaign done by Ram Trucks and Case IH to benefit the Future Farmers of America (FFA). During the ad viewers were invited to visit RamTrucks.com/KeepPlowing. Ram Trucks is donating money to FFA every time someone shares “The Year of the Farmer” video with the intent of raising $1-million.
Together with Case IH and other partners, Ram is aiming to raise awareness and generate funds for FFA hunger relief efforts in local communities across the States.
The ad was presented by legendary broadcaster Paul Harvey at the 1978 National FFA Convention.
A decision by A-D-M Milling to close down its Medicine Hat, Alberta flour mill means 40 workers will lose their jobs at the end of May. In a statement, the company says it will continue to serve customers from its Calgary mill and workers are being told they can apply for jobs at its other locations.
Canola tax refund
The Alberta Canola Producers Commission is reminding canola growers that if they did not request a refund of their check off from the ACPC they qualify for a tax credit for the 2012 tax year. The Scientific Research and Experimental Development (SR&ED) tax credit allows canola growers to claim the tax credit for that portion of the check off paid that was used to fund qualifying research.
A fire at a cheese factory east of Ottawa has left 60 people without jobs. According to media reports, no one was in the factory when the blaze broke out on Sunday. 50 producers are co-owners of the factory which produces cheddars, curds among other dairy delicacies.
Pool returns look strong
The poor condition of the US Hard Red Winter wheat crop means higher winter pool returns. This according to the CWB, who says winter pool projected returns are now 10 dollars per tonne higher than they were at this time last month. The Canadian Wheat Board also adds the lack of physical corn south of the border that strong wheat feeding will continue through to new crop corn availability. Pool return outlooks for canola are 35 dollars per tonne higher and durum is 6 dollars per tonne higher than they were at the start of the year.
Alberta looks for more agricultural trade with Asia
Representatives from the agricultural industry met with the province’s Asia Advisory committee during three days of meetings to discuss Alberta’s Asia-specific initiatives. Based on the meeting the council has identified three priorities, which include:
- enhancing public awareness of the importance of expanding market access to Asia;
- work with government and industry to set hard targets for trade and investment, work on strategies to create more opportunities for Alberta’s small and medium sized enterprises doing business in Asia and for Alberta students to study abroad; and
- help complement the Government of Alberta’s advocacy efforts to create new access to Asian markets.