Ag News

The Do More Agriculture Foundation launched its new initiative "Walk With Me" as part of World Mental Health Day on Tuesday.

"Walk With Me" is a global campaign created by U.K. farmer Chris Manley when he was struggling with depression.

Manley found that walking and journaling helped to improve his mental health, and wrote a poem called Walk with Me that outlined the feelings that people can have while feeling low.

Trade irritants are always a key concern for the agriculture sector 

The ongoing tensions between India and Canada remain a concern especially for provinces like Saskatchewan that export a large volume of pulses into India. 

AGT Foods is one of the largest suppliers of value-added pulses, staple foods and food ingredients in the world.

Murad Al Katib, President and CEO of AGT Foods says they are closely monitoring the situation.

There's a lot of discussion around the portential for the Israel - Humas conflict to escalate.

The key concern of course is the loss of human life and the humanitarian need.

Josh Linville is vice president of Fertilizer for Stone X Financial and is following the impact on the fertilizer market as Israel is the fourth largest exporter of potash in the world.

In his newsletter this morning he noted that so far, the attack does not appear to be impacting the fertilizer markets.

Agricultural societies across the province, including Cochrane, are receiving a desperately needed shot in the arm from the Alberta Government.

The Cochrane and District Agricultural Society (CDAS) is among those applauding the announcement of $2.5 million annually to help update existing infrastructure.

CDAS president Justin Burwash says they've been somewhat successful in receiving grants in the past but it's always been in competition with all Alberta nonprofits.

Farm Credit Canada has released its mid-year dryland farmland values report for 2023.

Leigh Anderson, a senior economist with FCC says dryland farmland values were up 7.7 per cent nationally.

Saskatchewan led the country with dryland farmland values up 11.4 per cent, Manitoba came in at 6.4 per cent while Alberta only saw a  3 per cent increase.

Anderson says there are a number of factors influencing prices but a key issue is the growing conditions.

Saskatchewan's Ministry of Agriculture's latest crop report shows the provincial harvest is wrapping up.

According to the report 95 per cent of the provincial harvest is now complete, that's up from 91 per cent last week and ahead of the five-year average of 84 per cent.

Farmers still have some canola and flax to come in with canola at 90 per cent complete and flax at 68 per cent. 

Producers who still have flax standing are hoping for a frost to help stop the regrowth that is occurring due to the recent rainfall in some areas.

Thanksgiving weekend is always a busy time with family and friends. 

Thanksgiving and Christmas are the two biggest seasons for turkey consumption.

Stats for 2022, show that Canadians consumed 127.9 million kilograms of turkey,  with 2.1 million whole turkeys purchased at Thanksgiving.

Darren Ference, Chair of the Turkey Farmers of Canada says Thanksgiving and Christmas are one of the major parts to the full bird market.

The Canadian Agri-Food Automation and Intelligence Network (CAAIN) works with and helps fund innovators in bringing new technology to the ag sector.

CAAIN has been involved in 100 plus collaborations and is investing $30 million into 24 projects.

CEO Darrell Petras says CAAIN has been involved in bringing some key projects to the market.

SeedMaster has announced a new 10 year partnership with Olds College of Agriculture and Technology.

Tim Criddle, Global Sales Director at SeedMaster says this is an opportunity to support the industry that they are in.

He points out they've been very impressed with the type of research and field trials being done at Olds College and will be providing them with some cutting edge seeding solutions that will enhance their program.

Alberta’s agricultural societies have access to new funding for upgrades and repairs for their facilities.

The Government of Alberta has announced $2.5 million in grant funding annually for ag societies.

The Agricultural Societies Infrastructure Revitalization Program will award grants for upgrades to existing ag society facilities between $10,000 and $100,000.

Agriculture and Irrigation Minister RJ Sigurdson made the announcement at the Millarville Racing & Agricultural Society on Thursday.

He says these facilities often serve as community hubs.