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Building A Unified Voice for Agriculture: Agriculture Updates, Supports, and News: September 2022

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Building A Unified Voice for Agriculture: Agriculture Updates, Supports, and News: September 2022

Agriculture Updates Since August 12

Advocacy in Action 

Share your input on the National Agricultural Labour Strategy
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) is developing a sector-specific strategy to address chronic labour shortages in farming and food processing. The goal is to develop solutions that consider unique regional and sub-sector concerns. This will better position the sector to address short-term pressures and advance long-term solutions to help farmers and food processors meet their needs.
View More and Participate in the Conversation


Government of Canada is looking for input on the Next Agricultural Policy Framework

The Next Policy Framework (NPF) is a five-year (2023–2028) investment by federal, provincial and territorial (FPT) governments to strengthen and grow Canada's agriculture and agri-food sector. It will replace the Canadian Agricultural Partnership (CAP), which ends March 31, 2023.
Learn More and Participate in the Conversation


ABP delegate nominations are open
Alberta Beef Producers (ABP) delegate nominations are now open, with four two-year term positions available in all five zones. Becoming an ABP delegate is one of many ways you can become more involved in Alberta’s beef industry. Learn more about the opportunity here 


Funding Updates

1. Tax relief for Prairie livestock producers facing the impacts of extreme weather
The Livestock Tax Deferral provision allows livestock producers who are forced to sell a significant amount of their breeding herd due to drought or flooding to defer a portion of their income from sales until the following tax year. The income may be at least partially offset by the cost of reacquiring breeding animals, thereby reducing the potential tax burden associated with the original sale.

2.  Agricultural producers interest relief: 
In response to rising input costs and to help ensure farmers have access to cash flow to cover crop-related expenses, Agriculture Canada recently announced that the interest-free portion of the Advance Payments Program will increase from $100,000 to $250,000 for the 2022 and 2023 program years. As a result, participating producers will save on average $5,500 in interest costs over the next two years. This change will represent total savings of up to $61 million over 2 years for approximately 11,000 producers.

3. AFSC has lending options for cattle producers 
AFSC made some interim changes to their loan processes to ensure Alberta’s cattle producers have access to the capital they need to maintain their herds and operations. These changes include quick processing of loans up to $200,000, interest-only payments for up to 24 months, up to 60 month loan amortization, and flexible collateral considerations.

4. Alberta Innovates Agri-Food and Bioindustrial Innovation Program
The Agri-Food and Bioindustrial Innovation Program (ABIF) supports projects that develop and advance technologies that increase productivity, enhance competitiveness, boost the value of agriculture and forestry commodities, and lower greenhouse gas emissions. Strategic focus areas include: data and digital solutions; autonomous systems; agricultural biotechnology; food processing innovation; biofibre utilization; value-added biomass; and green construction. The program is open to small and medium-sized enterprises, industry organizations, research and development organizations, post-secondary institutions and government research laboratories. 

5. Agricultural Clean Technology Program
The new Agricultural Clean Technology (ACT) Program aims to create an enabling environment for the development and adoption of clean technology that will help drive the changes required to achieve a low-carbon economy and promote sustainable growth in Canada’s agriculture and agri-food sector. The ACT Program offers support under 2 streams, a Research and Innovation Stream and an Adoption Stream.

6. FarmCash Cash Advance Program: Many producers use the Advance Payments Program annually to finance their crop or livestock inputs, but FarmCash can also help to improve the farm's profitability throughout the year. The key is cash flow management. FarmCash application deadlines:

  • Fall application takes place September 1, 2022 through March 15, 2023

7. Agricultural Climate Solutions On-Farm Climate Action Fund (OFCAF):  The Agricultural Climate Solutions On-Farm Climate Action Fund (OFCAF) is an initiative to help farmers tackle climate change. Funding for this project (in part) has been provided by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada through the Agricultural Climate Solutions – On-Farm Climate Action Fund.

8. Advance Payments Program: The Advance Payments Program is a federal loan guarantee program which provides agricultural producers with easy access to low-interest cash advances. On June 23, 2022, the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food announced a temporary increase to the interest-free limit for advances under the Advance Payments Program (APP). The change will make the purchase of important inputs such as fuel, fertilizer and seed more affordable for producers.

9. THRIVE Academy: The THRIVE Academy is 12-week agri-food tech pre-accelerator program for idea stage entrepreneurs, early-stage startups and researchers looking to commercialize their innovations. The immersive program will help you de-risk and validate your idea while preparing you to raise capital alongside building your go to market strategy.

Labour Resources

  1. Agriculture Job Connector: https://www.alberta.ca/agriculture-job-connector.aspx 
  2. Chamber Agriculture Labour survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/2019AgribusinessLabour
  3. Riipen Rural Roots, a collaborative program in partnership with Alberta-based Rural Development Network, Portage College, Mount Royal University, Medicine Hat College, and MacEwan University. The focus of this new program is to connect rural businesses and non-profits across Canada with post-secondary learners to advance their labour market and workforce skills through short-term virtual WIL projects. Read more
  4.  Olds College is excited to announce the approval of a new Bachelor of Digital Agriculture Degree. Offered through the College’s Werklund School of Agriculture Technology, the first intake of students in the Digital Ag degree will be on campus for fall 2023. See the press release here.
  5.  Canada Alberta Jobs Grant The Canada-Alberta Job Grant is a training program where an employer applies on behalf of their present or future employees for eligible training costs. Employers decide who gets training and what type of training may be needed for their employees. Learn more

Additional Government & Industry News and Information

  • Consumer attitudes towards innovative agricultural technologies: the Government of Canada has released their survey and focus group results related to attitudes and perceptions toward emerging agricultural technologies and their applications in the sector. See more information.
  • Learn about the legalities of the food co-packing industry: In this webinar, participants will hear from Glenford Jameson, founder of G.S. Jameson & Company, a Canadian lawyer with significant industry experience in the food sector focused on corporate, commercial and regulatory issues faced by start-ups, not-for-profits, small and medium sized and multinational food companies. Glenford will focus on the legal aspects of the food co-packing industry including a brief overview of the top legal issues identified by this sector and he will provide insights on key written agreements. Sign up for the webinar put on by the Government of Alberta here
  • Insect Updates: The last insect update was released by Prairie Pest Monitoring Network on August 26, 2022. See the update here or view historical updates.
  • Insect Risk Updates: The Alberta Pest Monitoring Network provides timely, accurate insect management resources to help monitor crop pests in Alberta ensuring crop quality and market access. This includes live insect survey and population maps for bertha armyworm, cutworm and diamondback moth. Check out the maps and see the risk level in your area
  • Harvest Sample Program: The Harvest Sample Program is a voluntary program for Canadian grain producers. When you sign up, you’ll receive a Harvest Sample kit annually that contains envelopes for sending in samples of your crop at no cost to you. Learn more
  • Hemp Fiber Variety Testing in Alberta: This value-added research project, led by Canadian Rockies Hemp Corp, will work in collaboration with the University of Alberta, Canadian Hemp Trade Alliance, Alberta Hemp Alliance, and Alberta Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Economic Development, to help hemp producers accurately identify which fibre hemp varieties are best suited for production in Alberta. Results from this project will be vital to help expand the hemp industry across Alberta. Read more about this RDAR-funded project
  • Disease ID tips for pre-harvest scouting: With harvest nearing, producers are encouraged to scout weekly for disease: pull plants and check roots for clubroot and root rots, cut into the plant crown to look for blackleg, analyze whole plants for sclerotinia stem rot and other diseases. Find out what’s new and what proved effective this year by walking local trial plots and attending field days. Learn more in the latest Canola Watch
  • Alberta crop report as of September 6th, 2022: According to the latest crop report, over the past 30-days, most parts of the province have experienced “once in 50-years” warmer than normal temperatures and received below normal rainfall. However, crop yields have been better than normal. In addition to a cool wet start to the season, which saved soil moisture reserves, June rainfalls were largely responsible for supplying enough moisture for crop growth.
    Read the crop report
  • New web tool makes it easier to find permits, licenses & approval information: The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is making it easier for individuals and businesses to find information on permits, licenses and approvals through a new web tool - the Permissions Finder. This tool helps businesses and individuals find the information they need when conducting import, export, or conduct domestic activity with food, plants or animals in Canada. Find the tool at https://inspection.canada.ca/permits
  • Farming the Web
    Looking to buy or sell products, services or equipment? Check out Farming the Web - the free, not-for-profit agriculture classifieds site that makes it simple to buy and sell locally. Powered by the Alberta Forage Industry Network, Farming the Web is used by producers, farmers and ranchers to get what they want from the people they trust. 
    Check out Farming the Web
  • Invasive Plants of Alberta Identification Guide
    The revised version of the Invasive Plants of Alberta Identification Guide is complete. This is a detailed, illustrated guide to prohibited noxious, noxious and weed species of concern in Alberta.
    The latest edition will be available in mid-July.
    View the PDF version
    Check out the Alberta Invasive Species Council store
  • Weather and weather data at your fingertips - The Alberta Climate Information Service (ACIS) provides the forecast, weather alerts, radar and more importantly, the past weather. Virginia Nelson, director, Alberta Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Economic Development, says this information is often missing from today’s ‘run of the mill’ weather apps. With ACIS, Albertans can access the forecast, weather alerts, radar, the past weather, and even look at 60-year climate trends.
    Read the article
  • Alberta Soil Moisture Information: Moisture situation updates from the team at Alberta Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Economic Development's Agrometeorology Applications and Modelling Unit can be found here.
    Read the latest update

Events

Nominate someone for the 2023 Pulse Industry Innovator Award

An industry innovator is a person or organization that has worked to help nurture and shape the pulse industry and has helped contribute to the success of the industry. Innovators may have contributed to the industry through various areas from production, marketing, research, extension and processing, to management, promotion and innovation. Nominations will be accepted until December 6, 2022. Read more.


BCRC 2022/2023 Webinar Series 

This year’s Beef Cattle Research Council webinar series will cover a range of topics all focused on practical, science-based information for Canadian beef producers. Topics include the Canadian Cow-Calf Cost of Production Network, opportunities and limitations in nutrition and feed management and record keeping. See webinar descriptions and register.

Your Path to Farm Transition Event Series

Join Farm Credit Canada (FCC) for a 9-part virtual event series on farm transition running from July 12, 2022 to March 14, 2023. Hosted by FCC business advisors and guest experts, each month will feature a new topic, highlighting a different step in the transition process. Register for all events in the series or register for individual events.


5th Annual Prairie Cereals Summit

The Prairie Cereals Summit is taking place this year from December 7th-9th at the Fairmont Banff Springs. With a dynamic line-up of speakers, networking opportunities, and mountain views, this agriculture conference will be worth attending! Learn more.


Global Crop Production Virtual Conference

It’s your chance to hear speakers from around the world highlight advances in agriculture practice, technology and issues. Farming Smarter believes we can learn and adapt the knowledge to benefit local farmers. Join the conference on PheedLoop for a great day at a virtual convention! Learn about agriculture from around the globe, all in the comfort of your home! Learn more.

Other Resources

If you know of someone who may be interested in the work we are doing and might be interested in investing in this work through membership, please feel free to refer them to us. You can also encourage others to subscribe to our agriculture updates through this page. We look forward to continuing our work with you and pushing for our collective priorities on your behalf. 

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