Ag News

The proposed merger between Bunge and Viterra was finalized on July 2nd.  

According to the company's website, the new company marks the creation of a premier global agribusiness solutions company for food, feed and fuel. 

Bunge’s Chief Executive Officer Greg Heckman says it’s a defining moment for our company and our global team as we complete this transformative business combination.

Farm Credit Canada's Transition Loan program has been enhanced.

Federal Agriculture Minister Heath MacDonald says transferring the family farm or business can be stressful; the new changes will help address the financial barriers many people face.

The loan's new terms are designed to make it easier for both buyers and sellers by allowing disbursements to the seller over a 10 year period.

The loan is available for farms, agribusinesses, or food businesses going through changes in ownership, be it within or outside the family.

Herbicide resistance is becoming a serious challenge for farmers across Saskatchewan. Resistant weeds limit chemical controls and rob yield.

Harvest Weed Seed Management is one approach to consider for reducing weed pressures and stopping the spread of any existing herbicide resistant weeds. This method targets weed seeds that come out the back of the combine during harvest, focusing on the chaff where most the weed seeds hide. By intercepting or destroying these seeds, farmers can reduce the weed seed bank and lower future weed pressure.

 Irrican owns multiple hydroelectric facilities and solar sites

A new battery storage facility is helping power two southern Alberta irrigation districts.

Irrican Power, a renewable energy producer, comprised of the St. Mary River Irrigation District and Raymond Irrigation District, has announced the commissioning of the Raymond Enhanced Battery and Renewables Project.

The eBAR facility is located at the Raymond Irrican Hydropower Plant near Raymond.

The move by Sask. would help producers with the cost of cleaning and disinfection after the disease is found on their farms

Saskatchewan may ask to trigger AgriRecovery for producers affected by bovine tuberculosis.

Provincial agriculture minister Daryl Harrison said last week he had heard from cattle organizations about the need for more help.

A founding shareholder questions why the board approved raises for executives while the terminal incurred $28 million in cumulative losses since 2016

North West Terminal Ltd. is being tight-lipped about what is happening with the idled grain company.

The firm held its annual general meeting on June 18, but chief executive officer Jason Skinner refused to divulge what was discussed at the AGM.

“We’ll just go no comment because we’re in negotiations on some things,” he said.

 Two brothers embroiled in an eight-year-long bitter legal battle over control of a generic crop input business have “buried the hatchet.”

Jim and Jason Mann have agreed to end litigation against one another and the businesses they run, which are Farmers of North America (FNA) and AgraCity Crop & Nutrition Ltd.

“The news of the day is the Mann vs. Mann is ending and Jim and I are burying the hatchet,” said Jason.

Grain and livestock producers facing drought conditions are being encouraged to work together through SCIC's double low yield appraisal process.

Under the program, low-yielding eligible crops can be used for grazing, baling, or silage.

Saskatchewan Cattle Association Chair Chad Ross says many cattle producers throughout the province are facing potential feed shortages.

Berry lovers will be happy to hear that the U-pick season has now started. 

Across the Prairies, strawberry U-pick seasons typically start in early July. Raspberries and Saskatoons are then often available from late July through August. 

Andy Loewen is the owner of Friedensfeld Honey and Berry Farm, located east of Friedensfeld in Manitoba. He says their strawberry U-pick season officially got underway on Friday. An opening day of June 27th is a little bit earlier than normal for their farm.

Canadian varietal development system called a success story

Canada’s system of developing wheat varieties is both efficient and effective, says a University of Saskatchewan agricultural economist.

Australia invests much more into wheat genetics and improving varieties, but the yield gains are similar to Canadian results.

“In Australia, they’re spending three to five times what we are, right now, on wheat research and wheat genetics,” said Richard Gray, Canadian grain policy research chair at the U of S.