CAAR recently participated in the Pulse Value MRL Working Group, a meeting to review the market risk of new pesticide products coming to market, and/or products currently on the market that have experienced an MRL change in a major export market. The results of the review are communicated through the Keep it Clean product advisory for the 2022 growing season.

2 - The number of key ways employers can better motivate employees.

4 - This is the average percent increase in crop production gained by farmers that use
precision agriculture technology.

6.9 - The billion-dollar amount of revenues in the Canadian organic market.

12 - As in the number of grams of carbon dioxide equivalent per megajoule, the expected amount of greenhouse gas reduction by 2030 via Canada’s upcoming Clean Fuel Standard.

34,318 - The total ascent distance—in metres—CAAR Board member Blaine Cochrane has achieved while mountain climbing around the world. That is “ascent” only. He still had to climb down.

42,000,000 - The amount of money the Government of Canada recently invested in the Pest Management Regulatory Agency, raising concerns that the regulatory process has become politicalized.

65,472,516,904 - Total operating costs for all Canadian farms in 2019.

CAAR is supporting the work of the University of Guelph on Rural Broadband. 

CAAR Communicator chatted with Blaine Cochrane, Sales Manager with Shur-Gro Farm Services in Brandon, Manitoba to learn about the person and career, his leadership within the ag retail sector, and why he decided to become a part of the CAAR Board team. Oh, and something about mountains.

The CAAR Communicator recently sat down with Stu Rasmussen with Blair’s Family of Companies and Stewart Whillans with J.R. Simplot to learn about their careers in the agriculture industry as well as their journey and leadership in ag retailer and their roles on the CAAR Board.

The CAAR Communicator sits down for a Q&A with Michael Gaumont, vice president of operations at McEwen’s Fuels and Fertilizers, and Russ Reich, vice president of crop inputs at Richardson International, to learn about their journey through the ag retail industry and involvement with the CAAR board.

The CAAR Communicator sits down for a Q&A with CAAR board member Blaine Cochrane, who currently chairs the finance committee.

The CAAR Communicator sits down for a Q&A with Cathi Douglas to learn about her journey through the ag retail industry and involvement with the CAAR Board.

The CAAR Communicator sits down for a Q&A with board member Martin Kiefer, past board chair and communications committee chair.

The April 2020 issue of The Communicator magazine is arriving in print edition and online. This issue contains profile stories on each of the CAAR Choice Awards winners, who were honored for their achievements at the CAAR Conference earlier this year in Saskatoon, Sask. Read more for a preview of the industry updates, stories and successes shared in this month’s magazine. 

Speak up for the Canadian ag retail industry by lending your time and your voice to the CAAR Board of Directors. If you’re a retail member of CAAR, we want you! CAAR will be voting on new board members at the Annual General Meeting on Feb. 12, held as part of the 2020 CAAR Conference. Nominate yourself or a colleague today by emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Read more to hear from current board members on the professional and personal rewards serving on the CAAR Board.

CAAR is pleased to welcome two new, independent-retailer representatives to the association’s board of directors. Joining the board are Mike Gaumont of McEwen’s Fuels & Fertilizers and Stu Rassmussen of Blair’s Family of Companies.

The Canadian Association of Agri-Retailers (CAAR) is pleased to announce its 2019-20 board of directors who will lead the association throughout the next year as CAAR works to strengthen the ag retail industry in Canada through its advocacy activities and suite of valuable services to members.

“CAAR is the only organization dedicated solely to representing retailers and their side of the business,” says CAAR Board Chair Don Kitson. “A dynamic and engaged board of directors allows CAAR to effectively aggregate retailer opinions and interests into a strong message when dealing with the external groups, producers, government regulators and the general public.”

CAAR retailer members are encouraged to attend the 2019 CAAR Annual General Meeting, which will be held on Tuesday, Feb. 12 in Winnipeg, Man., prior to the CAAR Conference Icebreaker Cocktail Reception.

CAAR is pleased to welcome Eric Gregory, director of marketing for BrettYoung Seeds, to the CAAR board of directors.