Canadian Federation of Agriculture Looks Back On 2019

Dec 27, 2019

During her year-end interview, Canadian Federation of Agriculture (CFA) President Mary Robinson says farmers faced a number of challenges in 2019.

"We had cold and wet, we had dry and hot, so I think from coast to coast there were a lot of challenges in regard to getting the crop in, tending to it all season and then getting it harvested successfully. Whether that was for poor conditions or lack of propane that you might need to dry a crop off when you harvest it. So there was a lot of complications along the year for sure."

Robinson says trade with China was also a big focus during the past year.

"We certainly got a quick education on what it means to be shut out from Chinese markets for canola producers. Weathering that storm has been very difficult and we've been pushing throughout the year for some movement on the part of government to be reactive to that."

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Video: Dicamba Returns for Georgia Farmers: What the New EPA Ruling Means for Cotton Growers

After being unavailable in 2024 due to registration issues, dicamba products are returning for Georgia farmers this growing season — but under strict new conditions.

In this report from Tifton, Extension Weed Specialist Stanley Culpepper explains the updated EPA ruling, including new application limits, mandatory training requirements, and the need for a restricted use pesticide license. Among the key changes: a cap of two ½-pound applications per year and the required use of an approved volatility reduction agent with every application.

For Georgia cotton producers, the ruling is significant. According to Taylor Sills with the Georgia Cotton Commission, the vast majority of cotton planted in the state carries the dicamba-tolerant trait — meaning farmers had been paying for technology they couldn’t use.

While environmental groups have expressed concerns over spray drift, Georgia growers have reduced off-target pesticide movement by more than 91% over the past decade. Still, this two-year registration period will come with increased scrutiny, making stewardship and compliance more important than ever.