Ag News

2024 will go down as the year of canola disease.

That is according to Curtis Rempel, Vice President of Crop Production and Innovation with the Canola Council of Canada. Rempel says diseases were primarily root and lower stem. He notes this was partially due to the wet and cool conditions felt in large parts of the Prairies.

"For a lot of stubble-borne fungi, which are primarily disease-causing organisms, they are all fungal-related," explains Rempel. "The cool, damp conditions really allow the fungus to take off."

Protein Industries Canada has put an open call out for projects exploring the blending of pulses and cereal crops to create new ingredients and plant-based food products as well as improve existing ones in store shelves.  

The Saskatchewan Party has announced their cabinet for their upcoming term, with the southeast seeing some new representation.

Daryl Harrison, the MLA for the Cannington constituency, will be serving as the Minister of Agriculture.

Harrison says that he's honoured to serve, bringing with him first-hand experience in the industry.

Farmers across Manitoba and the prairies can now access the results of the 2024 Canola Variety Evaluation Trials, a critical resource for making informed seed selection decisions. Spearheaded by the Manitoba Canola Growers Association (MCGA), this program marks the first year of province-specific program following the discontinuation of the Prairie-wide Canola Performance Trials in 2022.

AgSafe Alberta has added another level to its FARMERS CARE program.

Level 4 is now available at AgSafeAB.ca. 

This free program provides valuable safety information that agricultural producers can navigate at their own pace.

All levels of FARMERS CARE cover a wealth of valuable information in a condensed format, avoiding the major time commitment that typically comes with intensive safety courses.

Earlier this year, Protein Industries Canada announced a project and partnership with agriculture companies to help improve plant-based products including cheese. Partnering with Daiya Foods, Ingredion, Ingredion Plant Based Specialties (IPBPS) and Lovingly Made Flour Mills; the goal is to use Canadian grown crops such as peas and faba beans to help improve the taste, texture, and overall quality of plant-based cheese.  

Keystone Agricultural Producers (KAP) is currently hosting its annual 2024 district meetings across Manitoba. They began in Arborg on Tuesday, November 12, and will wrap up in Swan River on Thursday, December 19.  

Jill Verwey, President of KAP says organizing and hosting the meetings is a requirement and part of their grassroots policy. 

Prairie farmers should be on the lookout as a disease known to cause issues in a variety of crops is a key concern.

That's why experts are asking producers to keep a close eye out for the signs that the disease might be in their fields.

Crops Extension specialist with the Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture Eileen Beaton talks about the disease.

The Canadian Federation of Agriculture (CFA) held its annual lobby day in Ottawa on Oct. 22., 2024.

CFA President Keith Currie was pleased with the result.

"We obtained just over 40 meetings with elected Senate office staff, ministerial staff. It was, we felt, a very successful lobby day and then we copped it off at the end of the day with a reception. We had nearly 250 people attending, elected, and people from the Senate and industry stakeholders. All in all a very good day."

Federal Agriculture Minister Lawrence MacAulay also provided remarks.

Joe Kleinsasser has dedicated his entire life to agriculture, and now he’s rewarded for it. Kleinsasser was awarded the Farm & Food Care 2024 Champion award earlier this week at the Saskatchewan Pork Industry Symposium in Saskatoon, SK.