By Alice McFarlane

Agriculture Roundup for Tuesday, October 24, 2023

Oct 24, 2023 | 10:06 AM

The Canadian Agri-Food Policy Institute has recommended governments across the country develop a national plan to sustainably manage water use for the agri-food sector.

In a report released yesterday, the institute called for ambitious commitments from governments and partnerships with stakeholders to prioritize the critical natural resource.

The cost of extreme weather and rising temperatures runs to the tune of billions of dollars and the report said it’s affecting farmers and the entire agri-food industry.

Farmers in this country have been grappling with drought for several summers in a row, with irrigation often the only thing keeping crops going in some areas.

2021 was a particularly bad year where production of some crops fell to their lowest level in more than a decade.

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The report added immediate action is required to lay the groundwork for effective water management, including to develop uniformity in data collection regarding groundwater and surface water, and investment in research.

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Like many Canadians facing sky-high food prices, a House of Commons committee is seeking answers for what Canada’s major grocery chains have planned to cut consumer costs.

Following up on Industry Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne’s earlier announcement that the companies have presented plans to the government to tackle rising prices, the grocery executives have now been invited to tell the parliamentary committee what they have in mind by Nov. 2.

It is also inviting Champagne and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland to appear before the committee to answer questions.

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A man from southwestern Manitoba is being celebrated for his gargantuan gourd.

Jason Terwin has taken home a $1,500 prize after winning a competition at this year’s Roland Pumpkin Fair in Roland, Manitoba.

Terwin’s pumpkin weighed in at more than 680 kilograms.

It’s his third year in a row winning the title, though Terwin said he was hoping to beat the all-time Manitoba record, which is more than 725 kilograms.

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alice.mcfarlane@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @farmnewsNOW