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Agriculture Roundup for Friday December 18, 2020

Dec 18, 2020 | 10:52 AM

Farm groups representing beef, pork, grains, and horticulture want the provinces to approve the federal proposal on AgriStability.

It was a good year for grain farmers, but the pandemic had a serious impact on beef, pork, and horticulture sectors.

The President of the Canadian Federation of Agriculture Mary Robinson said it is important AgriStability responds when there are declines.

“It is important to note that government is not being asked to put money directly on the table, but to create confidence and ensure that we have a financial backstop,” Robinson said.

The federal proposal would see an increase in the compensation rate from the current 70 per cent up to 80 per cent. The reference margin limit would also be removed.

October wholesale trade in Saskatchewan increased 6.7 per cent to reach $2.4 billion over the previous month.

Trade and Export Development minister Jeremy Harrison said the numbers show the resiliency of the province’s economy during the global pandemic and a positive sign heading into the new year.

Statistics Canada wholesale trade figures show year over year wholesale trade rise by 13.5 per cent, the second best in Canada.

Farm products increased 14.7 per cent year over year.

Shareholders at Rocky Mountain Dealerships have voted in favour of a deal to take the company private.

The company said 72.3 per cent of shareholder votes in a virtual meeting were in favour of the deal to allow a numbered company to buy outstanding shares for $7.41 a piece.

The deal with the private company, which is controlled by chair Matthew Campbell and CEO Garrett Ganden, values Rocky Mountain Dealerships at $144 million.

The go-private arrangement must still be approved by the courts before it can go ahead.

The Calgary-based company said it is the largest farm equipment dealer in Canada with 36 locations in Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba.

alice.mcfarlane@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @AliceMcF