By Dori Modney (@Dori_Modney on Twitter) with files from The Canadian Press

In the Field – Everything from Grain to Milk — and Cricket protein!

Mar 24, 2017 | 6:33 PM

LETHBRIDGE –  Country 95-5 makes sure our agricultural reporting on In the Field covers everything food related.  So, it should come as no surprise that the program would zero-in on a new type of protein. It is not in the same category as beef, pork or poultry. You could say it is in the entomology line.
 
A kick-starter campaign has been launched for a Canadian cricket protein company to expand its line of products.

Vancouver-based Coast Protein is hoping to raise 20-thousand dollars from now until the end of the month to help streamline production, improve packaging, and add cricket protein powders to its list of products.

The two-year-old company’s biggest seller is a protein bar which is available in two flavours.

Marketing Director Chris Baird says the goal of the campaign is to not only increase production, but to also educate people on the health benefits of his sustainable protein source. He notes crickets contain more calcium than milk and more iron than spinach, making them ideal as protein powder for shakes and smoothies. 
 
Federal Budget and agriculture:

Over the past week, it was also noted that the Canadian Federation of Agriculture says the new federal budget clearly signals the government’s recognition that Canada’s agriculture and agri-food sector is primed to drive a new era of economic growth that will benefit all Canadians.

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President Ron Bonnett says the federation is encouraged that the government envisions an expanded role for farmers and agri-food businesses as part of its innovation agenda.

Agriculture is earmarked as one of three pivotal areas under the proposed Canada’s Innovation and Skills Plan.

Finance Minister Bill Morneau says initial efforts will centre on clean technology, digital industries and agri-food. He says Ottawa will also help farmers, producers, and processors build their businesses globally, and do so sustainably.

Softwood lumber issue could be tied to dairy:

A free-market think-tank suggests Canada could use its dairy sector as a bargaining chip to get a deal on softwood lumber exports to the U-S.

The Montreal Economic Institute says at the NAFTA talks, Canada could offer American negotiators more open trade in dairy in exchange for more predictable trade in softwood lumber.

The institute says eliminating trade barriers that persist in the agricultural sectors under supply management and in the softwood lumber sector would be good both for consumers and for producers.

American lawmakers have already indicated they will press the Trump administration to gain more dairy trade when the North American Free Trade Agreement is renegotiated.

Grain movement update:

C-N Rail says grain movement is on record pace after a slow start last fall, due to wet conditions at harvest.

Director of Grain Marketing David Przednowek says record volumes have been set from September through to February.

He notes the average number for this time of year is about 4,000 cars per week.

He says the increase in grain movement has been made possible thanks to infrastructure investments by all players in the supply chain, including C-N.