https://www.farms.com/news/ News-All related content provided by https://www.farms.com/ Copyright � 1995-2026 Farms.com, Ltd. All Rights Reserved. The federal fuel tax suspension is expected to lower diesel costs for farmers at a critical time in the growing season, easing pressure on already-tight margins. https://www.farms.com/ag-industry-news/fuel-tax-suspension-offers-timely-relief-for-canadian-farmers-ahead-of-peak-growing-season-734.aspx NEWS_240734 Tue, 14 Apr 2026 18:35:24 GMT Operators must be at least 16 years old to drive on public roads https://www.farms.com/ag-industry-news/operating-farm-equipment-in-ontario-733.aspx NEWS_240733 Tue, 14 Apr 2026 16:00:15 GMT The National Farm Animal Care Council (NFACC) and Canadian Cattle Association (CCA) are pleased to announce the launch of the public comment period for the draft Code of Practice for the Care and Handling of Beef Cattle. The public comment period allows stakeholders—including producers, consumers, and others with an interest in the welfare of beef cattle—to review the draft Code and provide input that will inform the final version, recognizing that perspectives and experiences across Canada, can differ. The draft Code and the public comment system are now accessible here. All comments must be submitted through the online system to ensure feedback is consistently reviewed. The public comment period will close on June 12, 2026. Following the close of the comment period, the Code Committee will review and consider the submitted feedback, and the final beef cattle Code of Practice will be released in 2027. A Scientific Committee report summarizing research conclusions on welfare-relate https://www.farms.com/news/draft-beef-cattle-code-of-practice-released-for-public-comment-240732.aspx NEWS_240732 Tue, 14 Apr 2026 14:46:21 GMT With the start of widespread spring seeding just around the corner, Prairie moisture conditions are continuing to improve. The latest monthly update of the Canadian drought monitor on Monday showed just 21% of Prairie agricultural lands impacted by abnormal dryness or some form of drought as of the end of March. That’s down sharply from 47% at the end of February and continues a downtrend from last fall, when farmland impacted by dryness or drought hit 71% in November. Most of the Prairies experienced near to above-normal March precipitation in March, with much of region receiving between 85% and 150% of normal, with some localized areas exceeding 200% of normal due to multiple winter storms, the monitor said. However, other areas were not as lucky, including southern Alberta, which saw only about 60% of normal. In Alberta, conditions generally improved, especially across central parts of the province where abnormal dryness and moderate drought receded after widespread precipitat https://www.farms.com/news/map-further-improvement-in-prairie-dryness-drought-in-march-240731.aspx NEWS_240731 Tue, 14 Apr 2026 14:44:43 GMT Farmers in the American Midwest entered the 2026 planting season somewhat better positioned than peers elsewhere in the U.S. to manage the recent surge in fertilizer costs, but a new survey suggests many are still feeling significant strain as volatility tied to the Middle East conflict ripples through agricultural input markets.   An American Farm Bureau Federation market intel article on Tuesday said the bureau’s Fertilizer Availability Survey - conducted from April 4 to April 11 and drawing responses from more than 5,700 farmers and ranchers - found the Midwest had the highest fertilizer pre-booking rate in the country. About 67% of Midwestern producers reported securing fertilizer earlier in the season, reflecting the region’s heavy reliance on corn and soybean rotations, where nutrient needs are large and purchases are often made well ahead of planting.   That early buying helped shield many Midwest growers from the sharpest recent price increases. Even so, nearly one in three M https://www.farms.com/news/u-s-midwest-better-positioned-on-fertilizer-but-rising-costs-still-squeeze-240730.aspx NEWS_240730 Tue, 14 Apr 2026 14:43:29 GMT A leader in plant breeding and mentorship, Spaner helped develop more than a dozen wheat varieties while strengthening Canada’s agricultural research capacity. The Prairie farming community has lost one of its quiet giants. Dr. Dean Spaner (wheat breeder, professor, and mentor) passed away leaving behind a legacy that is deeply rooted in Western Canadian agriculture. For many farmers, the name may be most familiar from the varieties they’ve seeded. But Dr. Spaner’s impact goes far beyond plant breeding plots; his work helped shape the productivity, resilience, and future of wheat farming across the Prairies. A Breeder Who Delivered for Farmers Over a career spanning decades, Spaner played a leading role in developing wheat varieties that farmers could rely on. At the University of Alberta, he helped build a once-modest breeding program into a major contributor to Canadian agriculture. He was instrumental in releasing: 15 Canadian Western Red Spring (CWRS) wheat varieties One Canadi https://www.farms.com/news/dr-dean-spaner-s-impact-on-prairie-wheat-will-be-felt-for-generations-240729.aspx NEWS_240729 Tue, 14 Apr 2026 14:41:51 GMT The Canadian Produce Marketing Association (CPMA) held its 2026 Annual General Meeting (AGM) on April 8, bringing members together to reflect on a year marked by strong governance, member engagement, and meaningful advocacy outcomes for Canada’s fresh produce sector.  https://www.farms.com/news/cpma-reports-strong-growth-and-global-advocacy-at-2026-agm-240720.aspx NEWS_240720 Tue, 14 Apr 2026 12:24:03 GMT Empire Co. Ltd., headquartered in Stellarton, Nova Scotia, has announced its intentions to acquire Québec-based food retailer Mayrand Food Group Inc. https://www.farms.com/news/empire-to-acquire-four-mayrand-stores-in-greater-montr-al-area-240719.aspx NEWS_240719 Tue, 14 Apr 2026 12:23:07 GMT For more than three decades, starting in the early 1990s, the World Potato Congress Inc. has made its way around the globe, providing an avenue for networking and educational opportunities focused on a https://www.farms.com/news/world-potato-congress-launches-international-potato-working-groups-240718.aspx NEWS_240718 Tue, 14 Apr 2026 12:21:55 GMT Mark the calendar for April 23 at 1 pm for a webinar: The OGSCC and the DRC: How They Work Together in Practice https://www.farms.com/news/webinar-to-explain-how-ogscc-and-drc-work-together-240717.aspx NEWS_240717 Tue, 14 Apr 2026 12:20:47 GMT The deadline for the 3rd National Survey of Farmer and Rancher Mental Health in Canada has been extended to May 31, 2026. https://www.farms.com/news/mental-health-survey-deadline-extended-to-may-31-240716.aspx NEWS_240716 Tue, 14 Apr 2026 12:15:23 GMT The Pesticides Regulatory Directorate (PRD), formerly known as the Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA), has approved a minor use label expansion registration for AIM herbicide for control of labelled weeds on lavender flowers in Canada https://www.farms.com/news/aim-herbicide-registered-for-weed-control-in-lavender-240715.aspx NEWS_240715 Tue, 14 Apr 2026 12:14:03 GMT The Pesticides Regulatory Directorate (PRD), formerly known as the Pest Management Regulatory Agency, has approved a minor use label expansion for Cimegra insecticide for management of cabbage maggot on CG 5-13 Brassica head and stem vegetables: broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cabbage (Chinese, napa), and cauliflower in Canada. Cimegra insecticide was already labelled for management of insects on a wide range of crops in Canada. This minor use proposal was submitted by the Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture as a result of minor use priorities established by growers and extension personnel across Canada, and in response to several years of Emergency Use Registration requests. https://www.farms.com/news/cimegra-insecticide-label-expanded-to-help-manage-cabbage-maggot-240714.aspx NEWS_240714 Tue, 14 Apr 2026 12:12:59 GMT The Farm & Food Care Ontario (FFCO) annual conference on April 9, marked a pivotal moment f https://www.farms.com/news/ag-advocacy-groups-to-receive-518-000-in-federal-funding-240713.aspx NEWS_240713 Tue, 14 Apr 2026 12:08:48 GMT Debbie Zimmerman, CEO of the Grape Growers of Ontario (GGO), has announced results of the election of its 2026–27 Board of Directors and 23-member Growers’ Committee. The Board of Directors elected Kevin Watson as chair and Jeff Duc as vice chair. https://www.farms.com/news/grape-growers-of-ontario-elects-kevin-watson-as-new-chair-240712.aspx NEWS_240712 Tue, 14 Apr 2026 12:06:40 GMT Kemin unveils EDIE™ Generation 2, a smart water system that improves farm water quality through automation, real time monitoring, and connected technology for better animal health and biosecurity. https://www.farms.com/ag-industry-news/kemin-unveils-smart-water-system-for-livestock-farms-711.aspx NEWS_240711 Tue, 14 Apr 2026 11:29:09 GMT Global fertilizer price shocks are forcing farmers to rethink nutrient use as experts stress precision technology efficient practices and soil health protection to manage costs and limit food price increases https://www.farms.com/ag-industry-news/smart-fertilizer-use-helps-farmers-face-rising-costs-710.aspx NEWS_240710 Tue, 14 Apr 2026 11:24:59 GMT Tonya Haverkamp was honored as 2026 Food and Farming Champion while national funding was announced to strengthen public trust and agricultural education across Canada. https://www.farms.com/ag-industry-news/tonya-haverkamp-named-2026-food-and-farming-champion-709.aspx NEWS_240709 Tue, 14 Apr 2026 11:19:42 GMT USDA will provide over 275 million dollars in new grant funding to strengthen specialty crop research marketing and innovation starting in fiscal year 2026 https://www.farms.com/ag-industry-news/usda-expands-funding-for-specialty-crop-growers-708.aspx NEWS_240708 Tue, 14 Apr 2026 11:11:51 GMT Drones are becoming valuable tools in agriculture by improving crop health monitoring, reducing costs, and helping farmers make better decisions for higher productivity and sustainability. https://www.farms.com/ag-industry-news/drones-transform-modern-farming-practices-707.aspx NEWS_240707 Tue, 14 Apr 2026 11:07:12 GMT