Good morning! This is Queen Street Analytics' weekly roundup of regulatory developments, legislative discussions, political announcements and other government-related news for farmers, seed-growers, fertilizers, ranchers, cattlemen and cattlewomen, as well as their upstream suppliers and downstream buyers in food manufacturing and processing. Every Monday, we break down the most important updates in this space in under five minutes.

Want to track the upstream and downstream forces affecting Agri-Food? Don’t miss this week’s updates in Freight & Ports and Oil & Gas.

Dates: 2025-08-10 to 2025-08-16

📋 In This Week's Newsletter

• 🇨🇦 Canadian Federal GR News
• 🇺🇸 US Federal GR News
• 🗺️ Canadian Provincial GR News
• 💬 Government Consultations
• 📚 What We're Reading This Week

Canadian Federal GR News

Canada Responds to China’s 75.8% Tariff on Canola Seed Imports

On August 12, 2025, Ministers Maninder Sidhu (International Trade) and Heath MacDonald (Agriculture and Agri-Food) issued a formal statement following China’s decision to levy a provisional 75.8% anti-dumping duty on Canadian canola seed as of August 14. China accounted for 67% of Canada’s canola seed export market in 2024, totaling $4 billion across 5.9 million tonnes. Canola seed is a $12.9 billion commodity for Canada, representing the country's most valuable principal field crop. Ottawa confirmed increased exports to alternative markets—including the EU, UAE, Japan, and Mexico—this year. The federal government reiterated its position that Canada does not dump canola and maintains robust inspection systems, committing to defend market access for exporters while engaging Chinese officials via available dialogue channels.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

Federal Investment in Saskatchewan AgTech and Value-Added Processing

On August 12, Prairies Economic Development Canada (PrairiesCan), through Minister Eleanor Olszewski, committed over $4.2 million in new support for Saskatchewan’s agriculture sector through the Business Scale-up and Productivity (BSP) and Regional Innovation Ecosystems (RIE) programs. Venlaw Manufacturing Ltd. will receive $2.1 million for automation equipment to expand domestic grain bin manufacturing in Watson, reducing reliance on imports. The Global Institute for Food Security (GIFS) secured $1.66 million to develop a genomic selection-based accelerated breeding program, with the aim of bringing higher yield, quality, and speed to market for livestock and pulses. The Saskatchewan Food Industry Development Centre will obtain $420,000 for expanded food processing and co-packing capacity. Finally, Ag-West Bio Inc. is granted $20,000 to stage the Agri-Value Forum in 2025 and 2026, focusing on value-added agriculture challenges such as cybersecurity and workforce training.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca, Announcements: www.canada.ca

Federal Funding Boosts Saskatchewan AI Innovation for Agriculture

PrairiesCan announced $1.3 million in combined repayable and non-repayable funding for artificial intelligence innovation projects in Saskatchewan. Ground Truth Agriculture Inc. will use $586,900 to finalize and commercialize an AI-based grain grading system, offering real-time quality data to producers, buyers, and processors. Greenwave Innovations secured $425,000 to integrate AI-enhanced maintenance optimization and monitoring features—helping conserve energy and reduce utility risk for agricultural businesses with facilities. Offstreet Technology Inc. will receive $300,000 to scale its guest parking registration platform, enhancing operational efficiency for clientele including universities. Funding is provided via the Regional Artificial Intelligence Initiative and the BSP program, part of a broader strategy to hasten AI adoption in Canadian agri-food supply chains.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca, Announcements: www.canada.ca

New Data: Farm Product Prices, June 2025

Statistics Canada released updated monthly farm product pricing for June 2025, covering provincial prices received by farmers for grains, oilseeds, specialty crops, cattle, hogs, poultry, eggs, and dairy. The dataset provides price benchmarks for market participants to evaluate farm gate returns and monitor input cost pressures.

Sources: Open Government Data Set: www.statcan.gc.ca

StatsCan Releases Updated Employment by Industry in Rural Canada

A new Statistics Canada dashboard provides July 2025 employment data by industry for rural Canada, adding granularity to workforce trends within the agri-food sector. The tool offers interactive features for analyzing regional workforce shifts across agricultural and related enterprises.

Sources: Open Government Data Set: www.statcan.gc.ca

Canada Announces $77.6 Million for Agricultural and Climate Projects in Peru and Colombia

The Government of Canada confirmed $77.6 million in new development projects across Peru and Colombia. Initiatives include support for climate adaptation in agri-food, sustainable farming, boosted ecosystem restoration, and technical assistance to Indigenous and women agri-entrepreneurs. Notable projects range from advancing climate-resilient cacao cooperatives and gender-responsive agri-food SMEs (small and medium-sized enterprises), to integrated fire management in agricultural landscapes regionally.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

Secretary Sarai Concludes South America Mission, Highlights Canadian-Backed Ag Initiatives

Secretary of State Randeep Sarai visited Peru and Colombia to champion Canada’s agri-development and climate action partnerships, meeting local agri-food value chain stakeholders and government officials. The trip included new project launches supporting sustainable agriculture, export-readiness for women-led agri-food SMEs, and ecosystem restoration. The delegation emphasized Canadian commercial presence and promoted Canada as an emerging importer for responsibly-sourced products, including Peruvian cacao.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

US Federal GR News

Adjustment of Dairy Import Tariff-Rate Quotas for 2025 Announced by USDA

The USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service announced a transfer of certain dairy article import quota amounts from historical license holders to nonhistorical (lottery) categories for 2025, in line with regulations at 7 CFR 6.34. The quota adjustments, published August 15 in the Federal Register, affect allocations for products including butter, cheese, and dried milk. No changes were made to the total TRQ quantities for cheese and non-cheese articles. Market participants handling in-quota imports will need to review the updated appendix tables for revised eligibility.

Sources: U.S. Federal Announcements: www.federalregister.gov

USDA Sets 2026 Dairy Import License Fee

The USDA will charge $350 per license for 2026 dairy tariff-rate quota (TRQ) year import permits, effective August 15, 2025. The fee is designed to defray administrative costs of the licensing system and reflects an expected 2,288 licenses to be issued for the year. The department estimates total licensing system costs at $800,800, including staff, travel, and electronic infrastructure.

Sources: U.S. Federal Announcements: www.federalregister.gov

Canadian Provincial GR News

Ontario Invests $135 Million in Water and Irrigation Infrastructure for Niagara and Leamington

Ontario announced $135 million for water system and irrigation upgrades in the Niagara Region and Leamington, supporting greenhouse and fruit crop operations while enabling residential development and farm resilience.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: news.ontario.ca

British Columbia Funds Avian Influenza Mitigation at Fraser Valley Poultry Farms

BC committed $2.5 million under the Novel Tools and Technologies Program for Fraser Valley poultry producers to upgrade barns with air filtration and UV systems aimed at reducing avian influenza risk.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: news.gov.bc.ca

Alberta Allocates $5.2 Million to Crop Diversification Centres

The Alberta government designated $5.2 million for infrastructure and operational support at its two crop diversification centres, enabling capacity building in plant health surveillance and applied agricultural research.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: www.alberta.ca

Saskatchewan Launches 2025 Harvest, Stresses Producer Safety

Saskatchewan's agriculture minister formally launched the 2025 harvest season, urging producers to observe best safety practices and use available mental health support resources such as the Farm Stress Line.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: www.saskatchewan.ca

New Brunswick Limits Forest and Blueberry Harvesting under Fire Ban

New Brunswick's government maintained a province-wide burn ban, suspending most forest harvesting while implementing a conditional permitting process for blueberry harvesting and safe peat processing.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: www2.gnb.ca

Government Consultations

CFIA Opens Consultation on New Livestock Feed Ingredient: Pea Solubles

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is accepting comments until September 12, 2025, on a proposed single ingredient feed listing for pea solubles (as a pelleting aid), alongside amendments to the approved description for use as a protein and energy source in cattle and swine feed.

Sources: Canadian Government Consultations: inspection.canada.ca

CFIA Consultation Invites Feedback on New Feed Ingredients: Pea Processing Residues

The CFIA is seeking industry feedback through September 12, 2025, on single ingredient feed ingredient definitions for dehydrated and wet pea processing residues.

Sources: Canadian Government Consultations: inspection.canada.ca

What We're Reading This Week

• ‘This is our livelihood’: Farmers brace for hit from new China canola tariff: Canadian farmers prepare for the implications of steep Chinese canola tariffs.
• Federal ministers to meet with canola lobby as farmers brace for hit from new China tariff: Federal ministers are in talks with sector representatives after China imposed a new canola duty.
• Ottawa wants certainty from China before making concessions on canola tariffs, minister says: Ottawa is demanding clarity from Beijing before considering any changes on canola tariffs.
• 'Uncertainty is the only thing that is certain': Sask. farmers react to Chinese duty on canola: Saskatchewan producers respond to the uncertainty following the imposition of a Chinese canola duty.
• Canola industry asks Ottawa to curtail vegetable-oil imports after China imposes new trade barriers: Industry groups urge Ottawa for additional market protections amid fresh Chinese import restrictions.
• B.C. to fund upgrades to reduce avian flu risk for Fraser Valley poultry farms: Details of B.C.’s funding to improve biosecurity in poultry facilities.
• IFF Launches POWERFRESH® ACE 2000, a Bread Fresh-Keeping Solution That 'Aces' the Shelf-Life Test: IFF introduces a fresh-keeping bread ingredient designed to extend shelf-life.
• How farmers and government are trying to reduce avian flu risk in B.C.’s Fraser Valley: Overview of coordinated efforts to address avian influenza threats in BC.
• Farms and Fuels Alliance Celebrates Ontario Government's Commitment to Homegrown Ethanol Industry and Rural Jobs: Ontario government’s recent moves on rural infrastructure draw support from fuel producers..