By Alice McFarlane

Agriculture Roundup for Wednesday March 29, 2023

Mar 29, 2023 | 11:01 AM

The Manitoba government is investing more than $420 million in northern transportation routes and infrastructure over the next five years.

Minister Responsible Doyle Piwniuk said the announcement included $74 million for the development of a northern corridor through the Port of Churchill for the export of resources and nearly $250 million to improve five existing roadways to improve safety and year-round connectivity between northern communities.

“We understand the importance of improving transportation linkages today to transport goods and services, promote tourism, mining exploration and spur economic development,” Piwniuk said. “We are also committing to a bright future by making the Port of Churchill an inter-continental trade gateway.”

Piwniuk said $75 million will be used to improve seven northern airports which includes new airport terminal buildings, improvements to exiting terminals, and runway repairs.

There will be $98.3 million spent on Provincial Road 283 for a new bridge at the Pasquia River and bituminous reconstruction from the Saskatchewan boundary to PTH 10 at The Pas. Once complete, this section will support Manitoba’s heaviest allowable loads and will complete 39.7 km of the trade and commerce grid.

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A new national program for Canadian soybean growers, grain handlers and exporters has been created to meet the needs of customers and ensure continued access to premium markets.

The new Sustainable Canadian Soy program was developed by Soy Canada.

Executive Director Brian Innes said this happened with extensive farmer and industry consultation and is funded in part through the Canadian Agricultural Partnership’s AgriAssurance Program.

“Customers have been asking for a verifiable sustainable program,” Innes said. “Sustainable Canadian Soy is a market-driven solution that will enable our industry to compete for market share and enhance the sustainability of Canadian farms and the entire soybean value chain.”

Sustainable Canadian Soy utilizes the Farm Sustainability Assessment (FSA), a globally recognized whole farm sustainability benchmarking and assessment program, that focuses on meeting customer needs and values.

The FSA aligns with Sustainable Canadian Soy priorities, including land use efficiency, climate-smart farming, soil health, water stewardship, biodiversity and habitat.

Grower participation in the program is voluntary and includes completing an on-farm sustainability questionnaire about economic viability, social responsibility, and environmental stewardship.

The Sustainable Canadian Soy Program will be available for the 2023 growing season.

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To mark National Grain Week, the Grain Growers of Canada (GGC) urged all political parties to support Bill C-234, an amendment to the Greenhouse Gas Pollution Pricing Act.

GGC chair Andre Harpe said the amendment would extend the exemption for qualifying farming fuel to natural gas and propane.

“By extending the exemption this amendment will unlock innovation and drive sustainable growth in the sector,” Harpe said. “We urge all political parties to support this important legislation and demonstrate their commitment to the needs of Canadian farmers.”

Farmers incur a carbon price when using natural gas and propane for practices like grain drying, land irrigation, and heating or cooling their barns.

Harpe said Bill C-234 will allow farmers to invest in new efficiencies that reduce fuel usage by putting money back in their hands.

“Unlocking innovation is key to achieving sustainability in agriculture. Carbon surcharges on necessary farm activities only add to the financial strain and divert capital away from critical investments,” he said.

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alice.mcfarlane@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @farmnewsNOW