Pork Pen

Pierre Elliott Trudeau once noted that living next to the United States is “like sleeping with an elephant. No matter how friendly and even-tempered is the beast, one is affected by every twitch and grunt.”

This past January, the Government of Canada announced its “Team Canada” missions to the U.S., to promote Canadian exports in advance of the upcoming renegotiation of the Canada – U.S. – Mexico Agreement (CUSMA, the former NAFTA).

Research shows that one of the fastest ways of boring someone to tears is mentioning the words “regulatory competitiveness.”

It is not your great-granddaddy’s farm anymore. While some may have nostalgia for the old farm with a little red barn that housed a few chickens, a couple of pigs, and a dairy cow, it is better for both the environment and the economy that agriculture has modernized.

I did not come up with the line “hard to be green while in the red”, but I wish I had. It is a succinct phrase describing one of the most challenging policy aspects of sustainability.

What should farmers be asking of governments? This is an especially relevant question for producers in Manitoba who are getting to know the new government led by Premier Kinew.

I have a message for every farmer in Manitoba, no matter what crop they grow or type of animals under their care – now is the time to engage with all local candidates.

Farmers face a growing number of challenges. The threat of drought and crop failure seem to be with us every year.

The international agricultural landscape is witnessing a troubling trend towards protectionism. In past eras, protectionism was enabled through prohibitive tariffs that blocked trade.

There are two ways to get a horse to carry a heavy load. You can hit it with a big stick, or you can provide a reward for work well done.