(File photo/farmnewsNOW Staff)

By Alice McFarlane

Agriculture Roundup for Wednesday May 6, 2020

May 6, 2020 | 9:33 AM

Canada’s grain farmers are disappointed with the federal relief package announced yesterday.

Grain Growers of Canada (GGC) chair Jeff Nielson said the funding fails to address the long-term issues in agriculture.

“While we recognize the urgent challenges faced by other commodities, the announcement does nothing for grain farmers,” Nielsen said in a news release. “This relief package offers no resolution to our existing issues, which result from long-standing market access challenges, rail blockades, and 2019’s harvest from hell.”

Nielsen said the federal government has only offered relief programs that are either not applicable to the majority of farms or prioritize access to debt for already highly leveraged farmers.

“We have provided the government with proactive, practical measures to give farmers the tools they need to succeed,” Nielsen said. “We ask the federal government take a leadership role and implement the concrete solutions that we have outlined.”

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A Canadian multinational frozen food company is pleased with the $50 million Surplus Food Purchase Program announced yesterday.

McCain Foods CEO Max Koeune said the company, alongside potato farmers across the country, has been asking the government to participate in finding a solution for the large surplus of potatoes caused by the closure of restaurants due to coronavirus.

“We are keen to see the details of the program, including timings,” Koeune said. “This support needs to be in place quickly, as potatoes in store are at risk of spoiling as the weather warms.”

Koeune said he is encouraged by the Prime Minister’s appreciation of Canadian farmers and food producers, and the commitment to more funding if needed.

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Co-operative Hail Insurance Company has launched a new online direct to consumer option.

Buy Direct is for producers who want to purchase their crop hail insurance direct without the aid of an agent.

Producers will have to set up a personal account on the Buy Direct platform available on their web site. Current members will be able to link in their account.

For the first year the platform will provide only full coverage hail option policies.

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alice.mcfarlane@jpbg

On Twitter: @AliceMcF