Ag News

With the federal election just days away, farmers and ranchers had the opportunity to hear directly from political parties about their agricultural policies.  With the federal election just days away, farmers and ranchers had the opportunity to hear directly from political parties about their agricultural policies.  The Canadian Federation of Agriculture held their National Agriculture Leaders Debate last week. The debate on Thursday featured representatives from the Liberal, Conservative, NDP, Green, and Bloc Québécois parties. 

The 22nd Annual Keystone Alpaca Classic is underway this weekend at the Keystone Centre in Brandon. Alpaca enthusiasts and producers from across the Prairies and Ontario are gathering to showcase their top-quality animals and share their passion for alpaca farming.

Kim Dyck, President of the Manitoba Alpaca Club and owner of Hundredfold Farm in Stephenfield, says the alpaca industry in Manitoba started in the early 90s. "There's quite a few farms in Manitoba. We have about 10 or 12 members of the Manitoba Alpaca Club. Those people raise alpacas for their fiber."

Despite having lower numbers of grasshoppers last fall, they're certainly one of the three more notorius bugs to be watching for this summer.

Applied Research Crop Specialist, Scott Chalmers, says he had recently been watching a presentation by Manitoba Ag Entomologist, Dr. John Gavloski on what bugs to watch for.  

Agriculture takes center stage in the Federal  Election campaign for some candidates this week . 

The Canadian Federation of Agriculture  (CFA) is holding their National Agricultural Leaders Debate on Thursday, April 17th.

CFA President Keith Currie says, like most Canadians, producers are concerned about what's happening south of the border and the plethora of executive orders that President Trump is putting in motion.

SaskTel is developing new assets to help tech companies better connect with farmers by providing them with more background infrastructure. The project's full name is The Smart Agriculture Data Hub, and it will provide tech companies with a digital toolkit to help them reach more farmers.

Heather Clair, the marketing manager for Smart Ag, says the program is all about partnering with all the right companies to deliver what Saskatchewan farmers need.

Albertans are being encouraged to support one another during a time of financial uncertainty, with a new provincial campaign focusing on the province’s agriculture producers and processors.

The Government of Alberta has launched the Buy Local campaign to promote homegrown goods across the province.

The initiative is being led by Alberta Agriculture and Irrigation Minister RJ Sigurdson.

Manitoba Pork celebrated its 60th anniversary during its annual meeting and industry banquet Thursday in Winnipeg. Producers, processors and various stakeholders gathered at the Fairmont for the day full of meetings which was capped by an evening gala. There are currently 188 registered producers in the province, representing 608 farms and 22,000 full-time equivalent jobs. 

Dr. Wade Abbott and his research team at AAFC Lethbridge are embarking on a groundbreaking study aimed at unlocking new possibilities for the humble field pea, a crop primarily known for its use in food production.

The project will explore underutilized aspects of the legume, including its protein, starch, and fibre, with an eye on developing new food and non-food products that could benefit both the agricultural and industrial sectors.

The Manitoba Crop Alliance has a new leader at the helm as Jonathan Hodson recently stepped into the role of board chair. Farming near Lenore in western Manitoba, Hodson brings years of experience to the position and a deep understanding of the organization, having been involved since its formation five years ago. 

Hodson has served in various roles over the years, including most recently as vice-chair. Before the formation of the MCA, he was a director with the Manitoba Corn Growers Association, one of the organizations that merged to form the alliance. 

As the countdown to the April 28th federal election continues, Pulse Canada President Greg Cherewyk is urging political parties to focus on global trade, specifically the challenges facing Canada’s agriculture industry.  

With trade being a central issue, Cherewyk sat down to discuss what he believes needs to be addressed to ensure the future success of Canada's agricultural exports, especially pulses.