Alice McFarlane

Saskatchewan

Agriculture Director and Agripod Host at farmnewsNOW

Mama and wife, professional talker, agvocate, bookworm and lover of the outdoors.

Articles

Grain off the rails: Transportation update

1 week ago | farmnewsnow.com | Alice McFarlane

Hemmes said rates would have to be cut in half or more in order for the economics to pencil out. There was also discussion on whether additional regulations would help improve the situation or are there other potential solutions. Hemmes said what has been learned from history is that when you overregulate you don’t create better performance, you create more resentment.
Grain off the rails: Transportation update

1 week ago | panow.com | Alice McFarlane

By Apr 14, 2025 | 4:48 PM Grain companies have not been pleased with either railways’ ability to meet hopper car orders this winter. Mark Hemmes with Quorum Corp monitors railway performance on behalf of grain companies and several farm organizations. He participated in a webinar sponsored by the Saskatchewan Wheat Development Commission. Hemmes addressed several questions raised by producers about his views on how to get grain moving on time.
Prioritizing on-farm safety for the next generation

1 week ago | ckom.com | Alice McFarlane

By Alice McFarlaneA fun and interactive program is available to help farm families start important conversations about safety. The BASF Safety Scouts program provides 2,000 BASF Safety Scout and BASF Safety Captain kits each year at no cost to farm families across Canada. The kits are designed to encourage farm children to take on the role of safety ambassador on their farms.
CN and CPKC Rail end carbon tax surcharges

1 week ago | ckom.com | Alice McFarlane

By Alice McFarlaneThe Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan (APAS) has done something it hasn’t done in a long time. APAS applauded the positive steps taken by CN and CPKC to eliminate their rail carbon tax surcharges. The change took effect April 1, for Saskatchewan, Alberta, Manitoba, Ontario and New Brunswick. The development follows the federal government’s elimination of the consumer carbon tax. Read More:Consumer carbon tax will end on April 1 after order by Mark CarneySask.
Prioritizing on-farm safety for the next generation

2 weeks ago | panow.com | Alice McFarlane

By Apr 11, 2025 | 5:06 PM A fun and interactive program is available to help farm families start those important conversations about safety. The BASF Safety Scouts program provides 2,000 BASF Safety Scout and BASF Safety Captain kits each year at no cost to farm families across Canada. The kits are designed to encourage farm children to take on the role of safety ambassador on their farm.
CN and CPKC Rail end carbon tax surcharges

2 weeks ago | panow.com | Alice McFarlane

By Apr 11, 2025 | 12:17 PM The Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan (APAS) have done something they haven’t done in a long time. APAS applauded the positive steps taken by CN and CPKC to eliminate their rail carbon tax surcharges. This took effect Apr. 1, for Saskatchewan, Alberta, Manitoba, Ontario, and New Brunswick. The development follows the federal government’s elimination of the consumer carbon tax (fuel levy).
Province of Manitoba invests in new cereals facility in Winnipeg

2 weeks ago | panow.com | Alice McFarlane

By Apr 10, 2025 | 3:51 PM The Global Agriculture Technology Exchange (Gate) Capital Campaign has secured another $13 million towards its new facility in Winnipeg, Man. The funding announcement was made from the pilot bakery at Cereals Canada, one of six technical facilities located at the organization’s downtown Winnipeg headquarters.
Saskatchewan short lines get a financial boost from the province

2 weeks ago | ckom.com | Alice McFarlane

By Alice McFarlaneThe Saskatchewan Ministry of Highways increased its contribution to the short-line railway industry in the spring budget. The Short Line Railway Improvement Program (SRIP) will receive $1,000,000, which is to be distributed across 13 short line railways in Saskatchewan.
Agriculture in the Classroom Canada welcomes new executive director

2 weeks ago | panow.com | Alice McFarlane

By Apr 8, 2025 | 12:52 PM Agriculture in the Classroom Canada (AITC-C) has made changes to its leadership team. Denise Schmidt steps into the role of executive director ready to strengthen the foundation of agricultural literacy across Canada. Raised with a deep appreciation for Canadian agriculture, Schmidt brings decades of experience connecting industry, producers, associations and government.
Agriculture in the Classroom Canada welcomes new executive director

2 weeks ago | farmnewsnow.com | Alice McFarlane

“Canada’s future food and ag sector depends on our ability to engage our youth — not just as consumers, but as informed citizens, innovators, and future leaders,” Schmidt said. “It’s an honour to lead an organization that supports both our educators and larger industry by helping students see where their food comes from and the people who make it possible.