Staying the course at the CDC Thursday, May 23, 2013 by BETTER FARMING STAFF The Canadian Dairy Commission’s chairman will return for a two-year term. Yesterday, federal Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz announced he had re-appointed Randy Williamson to the Commission’s top spot. The federal news release announcing the re-appointment describes Williamson as a former business executive who began his career in 1974 with the Fraser Valley Milk Producers and subsequently took on key roles at two dairy processors in British Columbia and then at Saputo in Montreal before retiring in 2006. He was first appointed as Commission chairman in 2007. Williamson’s re-appointment follows last year’s appointment of New Brunswick farmer Jacques Laforge as the Commission’s chief executive officer for a three-year term. Laforge is the former chair of Dairy Farmers of Canada and a strong supporter of supply management. The two executive positions are also dedicated seats on the Commission’s three-member board. Commission member Gilles Martin holds the third seat. His three-year term ends in July, says Chantal Paul, a spokesperson for the Commission. According to the Auditor General of Canada’s 2011 special examination report, the Commission is a federal crown corporation that coordinates federal and provincial “policies and roles in managing the dairy industry in Canada. Acting as both a facilitator and stakeholder in various forums that influence Canadian dairy policy, the Commission supports the interests of all dairy stakeholders — producers, processors, exporters, consumers and governments.” There are 61 employees. The Canadian Dairy Information Centre website says that in 2011 Canada’s dairy industry generated $5.8 billion in net farm receipts and $13.7 billion in sales — a volume that represented a more than 16 per cent share of the country’s food and beverage sector. More than 80 per cent of Canada’s dairy farms are located in Ontario and Quebec. BF Tougher federal meat inspection might help small plants Canadian ag minister addresses Russian ractopamine ban during trade mission
BASF introduces Surtain herbicide for field corn growers Tuesday, September 17, 2024 Field corn growers in eastern Canada have a new crop protection product available to them. After about 10 years of research and trials, BASF has introduced Surtain, a residual herbicide for corn that combines PPO inhibitor saflufenacil (Group 14) and pyroxasulfone (Group 15) in a premix... Read this article online
We Didn’t Start the Fire! Impacts of Wildfire Smoke on Corn Monday, September 16, 2024 Assistant Professor of Corn Production at Purdue University’s College of Agriculture, Daniel Quinn, PhD. recently provided fascinating insights into the impacts of fire on major corn producing areas, many of which have been impacted by smoke from wildfires. Quinn was the keynote... Read this article online
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Canadian Ag Youth Council Welcomes new Members Saturday, September 14, 2024 Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada has announced the latest members to join the Canadian Agricultural Youth Council (CAYC). This update introduces nine fresh members alongside thirteen returning youths, marking a significant step towards involving young voices in agricultural... Read this article online
New CEO for Livestock Research Innovation Corporation Friday, September 13, 2024 Livestock Research Innovation Corporation (LRIC) is promoting from within with the appointment of the organization’s newest Chief Executive Officer. Industry Services Manager Kelly Somerville has been tapped to assume the role as of September 3, replacing retiring CEO Mike McMorris.... Read this article online