Dylan Fiessel

The 2024 calendar year was an interesting one within agriculture for farmers in the southeast, and in Saskatchewan as a whole. Multiple drought years previously had brought uncertainty heading into the 2024 winter regarding moisture levels for spring as snow was not abundant. Thankfully, some choice snow and rain events in late Winter and into Spring helped shape optimism for the growing year.

Those interested in relaying information from the fields to the masses can sign up to be a Volunteer Crop Reporter. Every year, producers, agrologists, and those simply interested in agriculture can sign up to be a volunteer crop reporter to help improve the quality of the weekly crop reports that the Ministry of Agriculture puts out. Tyce Masich, Crop Extension Specialist with the Ministry of Agriculture recommends it to anyone interested. 

Yesterday, at the Western Canadian Crop Production Show in Saskatoon, SK, a new brand was announced. SaskCanola and SaskFlax announced that they would be amalgamating under one brand called SaskOilSeeds. While this amalgamation isn’t brand new, in fact, they officially merged together on August 1st, 2024, this announcement marks a new chapter in oilseeds for producers in Saskatchewan. Tracy Broughton is the executive director of the new SaskOilSeeds brand, and she talks about why this merger was needed, and how it will help producers of Saskatchewan oilseeds in the future. 

SJHL have announced their rosters and finalized teams for their MJHL/SJHL Showcase upcoming on January 28-29 in Winnipeg, MB. Richardson Pioneer Weyburn Red Wings Head Coach and General Manager, Cody Mapes, was announced as the coach for the U20 Gold team earlier this month alongside Melville Millionaires head coach and general manager, Doug Johnson, as Mapes' assistant.

Yesterday, at the Western Canadian Crop Production Show in Saskatoon, SK, a new brand was announced. SaskCanola and SaskFlax announced that they would be amalgamating under one brand called SaskOilSeeds. While this amalgamation isn’t brand new, in fact, they officially merged together on August 1st, 2024, this announcement marks a new chapter in oilseeds for producers in Saskatchewan. Tracy Broughton is the executive director of the new SaskOilSeeds brand, and she talks about why this merger was needed, and how it will help producers of Saskatchewan oilseeds in the future. 

The Richardson Pioneer Weyburn Red Wings are 5-0 to start the 2025 calendar year. I was joined by Jaxson Ruthven and Luke Schraeder on Wednesday with the Wings talking about their success, overcoming adversity, new acquisitions, B.C. connections, and their new snow shoveling business. 

The Weyburn Lacrosse Association have been busy this year, including today as their Little Thrashers Lacrosse Academy has gotten underway, helping those aged 8 and under learn and enjoy the sport of lacrosse. Staci Labrecque is the president of the Weyburn Lacrosse Assocation who states the overwhelming excitement for the academy. 

January 10th is the trade deadline day for the Canadian Junior Hockey League (CJHL) which includes the SJHL and the Richardson Pioneer Weyburn Red Wings. Teams have until 5:00 P.M. to submit and conduct trades before they close for the remainder of the 2024-2025 season. After the deadline passes, teams and roster must be reduced to a maximum of 25 players.  

Farmland values continue to rise and as producers head into the 2025 growing year, operations will have to take a calculated approach to either expanding their business or even just staying competitive. Farmland values within Canada increased by 11.5% in 2023 and 12.8% in 2022. Farm Credit Canada or FCC reports on these increasing farmland values and will release a full report for the 2024 year expected in March 2025. Justin Shepherd is a senior economist with FCC who sheds some light on the rise of land prices over the last few years. 

The Weyburn Agricultural Society is hosting its annual general meeting tonight at 7:30 p.m. in the board room at the Weyburn Agricultural Society office building, located beside the Exhibition Hall in the Ag Fair Grounds. 

The meeting was originally scheduled to happen back on December 18th but due to inclement weather and the upcoming Christmas season, they decided to re-schedule it for tonight.