Potato growers holding annual conference in Brandon this week
Manitoba Potato Production Days are celebrating its 50th Anniversary this year.
This week's event in Brandon, which got underway Tuesday with a meet and greet event and the speaker program starting Wednesday morning, includes sessions on regenerative agriculture, wildfires and soil health.
The event originally began as Horticultural Production Days in 1973 until some of the other fruit and vegetable growers split off on their own.
Donald's Fine Foods receives $1 million to create new cull line
Concerns over potential animal health diseases is leading to more investment in preparedness.
The province of Saskatchewan and Sask Pork are investing $1 million in swine disease mitigation efforts.
A key concern for the pork industry is African swine fever, a viral disease that has been found in Africa, and some parts of Europe and Asia.
To date, the disease has never been found in Canada, but should it occur somewhere, borders would likely be closed and export markets shut down for the whole country.
Alberta Canola reports spear-phishing attack during AGM
The Alberta Canola Conference kicked off yesterday in Lethbridge.
Producers taking part in the group's AGM heard the details of a spear-phishing attack that occurred in August.
Alberta Canola has implemented new ongoing cyber security training for staff and directors following a spear-phishing attack in August.
Director Ian Chitwood says payment for one invoice was diverted to a fraudulent account, the attack was discovered when the perpetrators tried a second attempt.
Rural crime is on the rise
There was a rural crime panel as part of SARM's midterm convention in Saskatoon.
One of the panelists was RCMP assistant commissioner Rhonda Blackmore.
She noted rural crime seems to be on the rise again.
CETA's 5-year anniversary disappointing for the cattle sector
Wednesday marked the five year anniversary for CETA - the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement between Canada and European Union.
The Canadian Cattle Association (CCA) remains a leading supporter of opening access for Canadian beef exports to the European Union. Although the CETA created quotas for nearly 65,000 tonnes of duty-free access for Canadian beef, unresolved technical barriers have
prevented CETA from delivering its full potential.
Cattle prices edge six year highs
Cattle markets have turned the corner showing signs of improvement over the last few months as prices edge six year highs.
Cattle Market Analyst with Gateway Livestock, Anne Wasko, says supplies are tightening, cattle feeders are getting more current and cattle on feed numbers are down three per cent from last year.
Grain Growers of Canada recommendations to the federal government consultations on fertilizer emissions focus on three key areas
The federal government's consultations over their proposed fertilizer emissions reduction target wrapped up last week.
The Grain Growers of Canada (GGC) was one of a number of farm groups taking part in that consultation process.
GGC Chair Andre Harpe says our sector knows nitrogen fertilizer is essential to the success of individual farm operations and, in turn, the Canadian economy.
Recent crop tour results in a slight increase in projected yield estimates
Representatives from Argus Media and LeftField Commodity Research recently toured the Prairies to get a better idea on this years crop quality and production.
The Western Canadian crop tour involved two cars traveling about 2000 kilometres each, visiting about 40 farms during the first week of August.
Jonathan Dreidger, Vice President of LeftField Commodity Research says based on producer comments and random plot counts they have been able to come up with some early yield estimates.
Barlow says the Liberal denial of reducing fertilizer use is syntax and semantics
The Conservative Shadow Minister for Agriculture, Agri-Food and Food Security has been busy criss-crossing the country meeting with producers.
John Barlow says he's been trying to hit every province and this week they're in Atlantic Canada speaking to producers.
He says a key topic of concern everywhere is the Liberal's Fertilizer Reduction policy.
Analyst says bullish wheat market ahead
Harvest activities are just getting underway across the Prairies.
Grain Market Analyst Brennan Turner says he's not a big fan of selling direct off the combine unless you have to as prices are generally lower.
He says when it comes to the harvest the first few fields are usually pretty good, adding that some farmers have been pleasantly surprised by what the yield monitors are showing.
The first estimates from Stats Can are expected in a couple of weeks.
Meantime, when it comes to the wheat market there are a number of factors at play.