THURSDAY, MARCH 10, 2011
VOL. 89 | NO. 10 | $3.75
TOP BEST IN BARLEY | THE GROWERS P40-41
SERVING WESTERN CANADIAN FARM FAMILIES SINCE 1923
FARM POLICY | SPENDING CUTS
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WWW.PRODUCER.COM
IT WAS A DARK AND FOGGY SHOW …
Farmers may see less ag spending Budget estimates | Federal government reveals deficit reduction strategy BY BARRY WILSON OTTAWA BUREAU
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SEE BUDGET ESTIMATES, PAGE 2
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The thermometer didn’t rise above -15 C for the 111th Calgary Bull Sale held March 3. Handlers waited in the fog when the barn doors were opened to load their cattle. For sale coverage, see page 113. | BARBARA DUCKWORTH PHOTO
2011 COMMODITY CLASSIC | CORN GROWERS
MARCH 10, 2011 Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to: Box 2500, Saskatoon, SK. S7K 2C4
The Commodity Classic brings together the most influential crop organizations from across the United States. What happens there can have far-reaching implications for Canadian farmers. Western Producer reporter Sean Pratt filed these stories from the meetings, held March 3-5 in Tampa, Florida. TAMPA, Fla. — America’s largest and most influential agricultural commodity group is contemplating getting rid of a subsidy that has drawn the ire of Canadian growers.
The National Association of Corn Growers passed a resolution at the 2011 Commodity Classic conference to investigate moving direct payments into other safety net programs.
Observers of U.S. farm policy say it’s the first time one of the main crop groups has seriously contemplated such a move. access=subscriber section=news,markets,none
GROUP RETHINKS SUBSIDY, PAGE 3
COMMODITY CLASSIC: SEE PAGES 5, 6, 7, 14.
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Largest crop group rethinks subsidy
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The Western Producer is published in Saskatoon by Western Producer Publications, which is owned by GVIC Communications Inc. Publisher, Larry Hertz Publications Mail Agreement No. 40069240; Registration No. 10676
The federal government is estimating that Agriculture Canada spending will fall by $418.6 million this year as the department’s contribution to deficit reduction. According to spending estimates tabled in parliament, the departmental budget will drop 14 percent to $2.571 billion. However, it is not a simple story of program cuts. The totals represent savings from temporary programs that are expiring, presumptions of reduced investments in business risk management programs and bookkeeping changes that make it look like a funding increase for the Canadian Food Inspection Agency is bigger than it really is. The government will also slash spending for Western Economic Diversification by $222.8 million, a 54 percent cut from spending in this fiscal year. It is part of the government’s promise to cut spending in the fiscal year beginning April 1 by $10 billion to reflect the end of the two-year economic stimulus package and to reduce Canada’s record deficit.