Ag News

This week's crop report shows farmers have made good progress with the harvest despite scattered storm activity around the province.

Crop Extension Specialist Tyce Masich says the harvest is most advanced in the Southwest where 44 per cent of the crop is now in. That's followed by the southeast with 28 per cent, the east central with 25 per cent, the west-central with 15 per cent, the northeast with 12 per cent and the northwest with seven per cent. 

The railways have been working to ramp back up following last week's rail shutdown.

CN's Assistant Vice President of Grain, David Przednowek says the process takes some time noting the key to an efficient ramp up or recovery is a very measured and planned ramp down.

He says that involved implementing embargoes so that products (especially toxic, hazardous or dangerous goods) wouldn't be left in transport on the rail line.

Przednowek says it's important to review how everything played out to fully understand the process involved in gearing back up. 

Farmers are trying to work on the harvest in between the rain. 

This week's crop report shows Agro-Manitoba received variable amounts of precipitation over the past seven days. Precipitation for the past week ranged from 0.6 mm to 77.8 mm with areas of the Northwest and Southwest regions accumulating the largest amounts of precipitation. Minitonas (77.8 mm) received the most precipitation. Rain was reported in the Interlake, Northwest, and Southwest region over the last week.

The Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan is calling for an immediate review of the Canadian Grain Commission's bonding and licensing system to better safeguard producers.

At 11:59 on August 27, 2024 the Canadian Grain Commission revoked the grain dealer license for Purely Canada Foods and its grain operations in Saskatchewan. Farmers in Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta that may have unpaid deliveries with the company should contact the CGC immediately.

Fall grazing management can really ‘set the stage’ for next year’s perennial pastures. It is important to leave sufficient carry-over (litter) on pastures prior to the upcoming winter months. As much as it is tempting, overgrazing pastures in the fall period is not worth the loss of production in subsequent grazing seasons.

Saskatchewan RCMP made an arrest on Monday in connection to a series of hay bale and grass fires that occurred in the Unity/Macklin RCMP area. 

Cpl. Christopher Neufeld of Unity RCMP says they responded to over 15 reports of deliberately set hay bale and grass fires within the last month.

Unity RCMP and the Macklin Fire Department responded and worked together on the investigation.

Evidence and surveillance video from a bale fire resulted in the arrest of 25-year-old Logan Sieben from Macklin on Monday.

Farmers owed money for unpaid deliveries to Purely Canada Foods Corp. are encouraged to contact the Canadian Grain Commission immediately.

The CGC revoked the grain dealer licence and primary elevator licences for Purely Canada Foods Corp. in Avonlea,  Kindersley, and Lajord, Saskatchewan as of 11:59 pm last night (August 27).

The company may owe grain farmers in Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Alberta money for grain deliveries.

Harvest is in full swing here in southeast Saskatchewan, which means more farming equipment is driving down the road. The sheer size of farming equipment and the slow speed they travel creates a safety hazard on the roads as motorists try to work their way around them. However, as RM of Weyburn reeve Norm McFadden states, both farmers and motorists are quite aware of this hazard. 

Participants in the Canadian Cattle Association's Young Leaders Mentorship Program took part in the final round of competition last week during the Canadian Beef Industry Conference. 

The group of 24 took part in roundtable discussion with the other participants and judges as they work to narrow down the group to the 16 finalists.

Jessica Radau,  the CCA's Policy, Programs and Engagement Manager says the roundtable discussions covered a variety of topics from succession planning to biosecurity, building public trust in the industry and more.

The Canadian Cattle Association hosted the third 2024 triannual trilateral meeting with industry leaders from the United States and Mexico last week to discuss some of the common challenges and opportunities facing the cattle sector.

Trade issues and relations were top among the topics being discussed with the upcoming review of the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA/USMCA/T-MEC) set for 2026.

The group also discussing the impact of lab grown proteins as well as international engagement on antimicrobial resistance.