Ag News

A Saskatchewan farmer from Nokomis is the new Chairperson for the Cereals Canada Board of Directors. 

Brett Halstead operates a mixed farm and serves as a director on the Saskatchewan Wheat Development Commission, where he was previously the board chair.

Cereals Canada has released its 2023 Annual Report highlighting the organization's work around market access, market support and development and technical achievements. 

CEO Dean Dias says the release of the report is an exciting time because the staff has done some incredible work in support of the cereals value chain. 

He says Cereals Canada is responsible for work relating to wheat, barley, and oats in a number of areas like market access.

The 4-H Steer sale wrapped up the livestock events Saturday night at Frontier Days.

This year 94 steers sold for an average price of $4.41 a pound.

The high-selling steer owned by Cord Williamson of the Mankota 4-H Club sold to Nelson GM at Assiniboia for $6.25 per pound.

The Grand Champion steer in the sale was owned by Jesse Olson from the Wymark 4-H Club to Plewis Automotive for $5.30 per pound.

The 4-H Heifer Show brought some good competition to the show ring with Garrett Liebreich of Radville having the tough job of judging the class.

The livestock area was a busy place during Frontier Days. 

4-Her's from around the South West taking over the Bernie Kemick Arena for most of the weekend. 

One of the events featured was the 4-H Judging Competition, where members had the opportunity to use what they learned about raising and showing an animal
and put it to the test by being on the other side as a judge. 

Topping the 4H Judging Competition in the Cloverbud class was Sloane Hanson from the Burnham 4-H Club.

The Junior Champion was Lane Wall from the Grazers 4-H Club

Protein Industries Canada is looking for someone to take over its top role. 

Bill Greuel, who has been CEO of the organization since it was created in October of 2018, is leaving. He has accepted the position of Deputy Minister of Agriculture with the Government of Saskatchewan. is last day with Protein Industries Canada will be July 31,2024.

The board will announce the appointment of an interim CEO in the coming weeks while the search for a permanent CEO is underway.

Manitoba Crop Alliance (MCA) is looking to fill a number of vacancies on its four crop committees.

Nominations are now being accepted for delegates to fill four open positions on each of the corn, flax, and sunflower committees, as well as five open positions on the wheat and barley committees.

CEO Pam de Rocquigny says they take great pride in the collaborative, farmer-driven nature of our organization.

The WADO Field Day is coming up in mid-July with a welcome addition to their day lineup.  

"We have two buses ordered so that means we can have about 100 people come," says Applied Research Specialist with Manitoba Agriculture, Scott Chalmers.  "We've decided to not just stay in one place this year. Where we usually have a tent, we're going to have a bus tour and go to multiple sites." 

Charolais breeders from around the globe are in Canada for the World Charolais Congress.

The last time the World Congress was in Canada was in 2006 when it was held in Alberta.

Helge By, President of Charolais Charbray International says this year they wanted to show their International visitors more of Canada, and a chance to see the breed on farm by  visiting more producer operations.

On the Canadian side of the border, traceability is front and center," says Rick Wright, Executive Administrator for the Manitoba Livestock Marketing Association.

Wright attended the 2024 Livestock Marketing Association Annual Convention in Oklahoma City a couple of weeks ago.  He says the first publication of the new regulations on full traceability have been published in the Canada Gazette, with expectations for the new regulations to come into full effect in January of 2026.