Ag News

Saskatchewan's Ministry of Highways is keen to remind rural residents and land owners that all hay bales must be removed from ditches.

After Friday, August 8, any bales in ditches are subject to being disposed of or removed at the discretion of the Ministry of Highways. 

David Horth, director of communications for Saskatchewan's Ministry of Highways, shared that bale removal allows for hay salvage and mowing, which helps control harmful weed growth, provides free hay to farmers, improves visibility, and more.

Administrators say federal government needs to build more trust into the Advance Payment Program

Administrators of the Advance Payments Program say Ottawa should stop treating farmers as if they are going to default on repayments.

They said the application process should be streamlined and the program made simpler and more consistent.

Dave Gallant, vice-president of finance and APP operations at the Canadian Canola Growers Association, said the CCGA administers about $2.5 billion in advances each year on behalf of the federal government.

With harvest approaching, farmers will want to start thinking about pre-harvest intervals (PHI) before applying any pesticides and or fungicides to the crop.

The PHI refers to the minimum number of days between a pesticide application and swathing or straight combining of a crop and reflects the time required for pesticides to break down after being applied.

Saskatchewan Open Farm Days runs August 9th and 10th, and is organized by Farm and Food Care Saskatchewan.

Event Coordinator Ashley Stone says agriculture is one of the biggest industries in the province, and the overall goal is to bring people together to get a better idea about life on the farm and where our food comes from. 

She notes this year they have 34 hosts participating from across the province.

The Manitoba Canola Growers Association are looking for producer input to help shape the organization's future.

Since 1982, the organization has been farmer-funded and farmer-focused.

Over the years, MCGA has evolved to meet the changing needs of the industry and farmers.

Farmers are being asked to share their thoughts as the organization looks to the future.

When producers log onto the survey, there is a video to watch with an update on programming and the financial realities they are facing.

The survey closes August 11th.

Research finds agriculture waste could be transformed into biogas and fertilizer using bacteria-based techonology

Canadian farms could significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions while generating renewable energy by converting agricultural waste into biogas, a McGill University doctoral student says.

Anjaly Paul said anaerobic digestion could transform livestock manure and crop residues that would otherwise decompose in landfills into valuable resources.

A Saskatoon-based company has begun field trials of a replacement for granular peat inoculant.

Peat has been used for decades to inoculate crops such as peas and lentils and is a biological that provides consistent benefits, said Dave Greenshields, who founded Insight Plant Health in 2020.

However, customers are looking for a replacement, he told people attending a recent Canada-Saskatchewan Irrigation Diversification Centre field day.

The move is part of the Canola Council of Canada's new strategic framework, 'Canola Forward: A Strategic Framework for 2025-2030.'

The news came in a press release announcing the new framework. Chris Davison, president & CEO, says the framework is focused on priorities identified by the Canadian canola industry and is aligned to help the industry seize emerging opportunities while navigating changing industry and trade dynamics.

A southwest farm is one of nearly three dozen setting up to invite the public to immerse themselves in farming culture on the prairies.

The Hodgeville Colony, situated southwest of Hodgeville and southeast of Hallonquist, will participate in Saskatchewan Open Farm Days, taking place next weekend.

Eddie Hofer, a member of the Hodgeville Colony, shared that the Hodgeville Colony will be open from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on August 9.

Australia has officially opened its market for fresh and frozen beef from Canada for the first time since BSE in 2003.

The Canadian Cattle Association is pleased noting its one of the last remaining countries to have maintained bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) restrictions, complete their risk assessment and open their market for Canadian beef. 

CCA President Tyler Fulton says Canadian beef farmers and ranchers are proud to produce the highest quality and safest beef in the world.