Canadian agriculture receives glowing report: BMO

Apr 19, 2013

BMO economists say Canada’s agriculture industry is performing strong

The Bank of Montreal (BMO) released a report saying that Canada’s agriculture industry is a solid performer, noting that the sector’s net worth increased by 78% since 2003.

"Rapid economic expansion in emerging markets and lagging demand growth from south of the border has resulted in increasing export market diversification," said Aaron Goertzen, Economist, BMO Capital Markets. "Although global competition is stiff, Canadian producers' productivity edge has contributed to a large and growing trade surplus."

The report says that innovation has consistently expanded the industry leading to its productivity, noting that output per hectare has more than quadrupled over the past 50 years. The report also highlights that 2012 marked the second-largest harvest on record. Global demand growth has also increased agriculture product prices over the past decade, driven by population increases and income growth of the middle class in emerging markets.

"While some Canadian producers in central Canada faced challenges due to drought, improved demand and increased production led the sector to solid revenue growth in 2012," said Karl McLaren, Manager, Agriculture, BMO Bank of Montreal. "These factors, along with ongoing technological improvements, continue to have a positive impact on the agricultural sector. We look forward to working with our farm customers to support their growth and success."

Video: Sweetener Effects on Gut Health - Dr. Kwangwook Kim

In this episode of The Swine Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast, Dr. Kwangwook Kim, Assistant Professor at Michigan State University, discusses the use of non-nutritive sweeteners in nursery pig diets. He explains how sucralose and neotame influence feed intake, gut health, metabolism, and the frequency of diarrhea compared to antibiotics. The conversation highlights mechanisms beyond palatability, including hormone signaling and nutrient transport. Listen now on all major platforms!

“Receptors responsible for sweet taste are present not only in the mouth but also along the intestinal tract.”

Meet the guest: Dr. Kwangwook Kim / kwangwook-kim is an Assistant Professor at Michigan State University, specializing in swine nutrition and feed additives under disease challenge models. He earned his M.S. and Ph.D. in Animal Sciences from the University of California, Davis, where he focused on intestinal health and metabolic responses in pigs. His research evaluates alternatives to antibiotics, targeting gut health and performance in nursery pigs.