Federal Government Announced New Commitment at International Wool Textile Organization (IWTO) Conference in Montreal

Jan 03, 2024

Ontario Sheep Farmers (OSF) attended the first Canadian meeting of the International Wool Textile Organization (IWTO), in Montreal. The three-day event featured delegates from around the world who discussed wool industry trends. In partnership with the Canadian Wool Council and Campaign for Wool Canada, this high-level event brought together the global wool textile industry for several days of knowledge sharing and networking.

MP Brenda Shanahan (Châteauguay-Lacolle) who attended on behalf of the Federal Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, the Hon. Lawrence MacAulay, announced at the event $185,000 for the Canadian Wool Council (CWC) to continue advancing a more sustainable wool industry in Canada and spread awareness of Canadian wool. These funds will support the CWC in building the brand for Canadian wool, promoting trade and export opportunities, connecting the sector with global best practices, and improving industry and consumer awareness through education and promotional activities. The funding is through the (federal)AgriMarketing Program, under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP).

“OSF welcomes the recent announcement made at the IWTO by the Federal Government to support the Canadian Wool Council and efforts to further strengthen the wool sector through Sustainable CAP” said Art Alblas OSF Chair.

Sustainable CAP is a 5-year (2023-28), $3.5-billion investment by federal, provincial and territorial governments with an aim to strengthen competitiveness, innovation and resilience in the agri-food, agriculture and agri-based sectors. This announcement included $1 billion in federal programs and activities
and a $2.5-billion commitment (cost-shared 60% federally and 40% provincially/territorially) for programs that are designed and delivered by provinces and territories.

Source : Ontario Sheep

Video: Winter Canola Trial in Mississippi | Can It Work for Double Cropping? | Pioneer Agronomy

Can winter canola open new opportunities for growers in the Mid-South? In this agronomy update from Noxubee County, Mississippi, Pioneer agronomist Gus Eifling shares an early look at a first-year winter canola trial and what farmers are learning from the field.

Planted in late October on 30-inch rows, the crop is now entering the bloom stage and progressing quickly. In this video, we walk through current field conditions, fertility management, and how timing could make this crop a valuable option for double-cropping soybeans or cotton.

If harvest timing lines up with early May, growers may be able to transition directly into another crop during ideal planting windows. Ongoing field trials will help determine whether canola could become a viable rotational option for the region.

Watch for:

How winter canola is performing in its first season in this Mississippi field

Why growers chose 30-inch rows for this trial

What the crop looks like as it moves from bolting into bloom

Fertility strategy, including nitrogen and sulfur applications

How canola harvest timing could enable double-cropping with soybeans or cotton

Upcoming trials comparing soybeans after canola vs. traditional planting

As more growers look for ways to maximize acres and diversify rotations, experiments like this help determine what new crops might fit into existing systems.