Ag News

Federal Agriculture Minister Lawrence MacAulay met with U.S. officials last week to strengthen our relationship and share priorities on food production and security.

MacAulay travelled to Des Moines, Iowa, to take part in the World Pork Expo, and met with Iowa's Governor and Secretary of Agriculture where he highlighted the importance of the strong and secure Canada-U.S. agri-food trade relationship and reinforced Canada's role as a reliable and indispensable trading partner.

The Senate Committee on Agriculture has released a new study on Soil Health in Canada.

The new study "Critical Ground: Why Soil is Essential to Canada's Economic, Environmental, Human and Social Health" looks at the current status of our soils and puts forward 25 recommendations for improving and maintaining our soils.

Committee Chair Senator Rob Black says one of the recommendations, and probably one of the most important ones in his mind is for the Federal Government to recognize a sense of urgency and act accordingly to protect and conserve our soils.

The Canadian Angus Association will receive over $1.6 million to improve genetic evaluation tools for Canadian beef and dairy cattle.

Federal Agriculture Minister Lawrence MacAulay announced the funding on Friday noting that Canada's world-class cattle industry contributes significantly to our country's economy. 

"By investing in new innovations and technologies, we can enhance the industry's economic and environmental sustainability -  putting more money in the pockets of producers, and more top-quality Canadian products on tables around the world."

We are still waiting on a decision from the Canada Industrial Relations Board regarding Ottawa's request to consider whether the movement of certain specific commodities, including grain, if it were to be halted due to a labour disruption would affect the health and safety of Canadians.

The spotlight is on the Charolais breed this week as producers gather in Moose Jaw for their annual general meeting. 

Dale Weinbender, President of the Saskatchewan Charolais Association, says the breed is extremely popular and known for producing tan calves that wean off well.

Weinbender says the Charolais have been topping the markets for a long time, adding that the feedlots really like them as they finish very well.

"It's just been kind of the main focus for the breed and how we've been so successful."

The Federal Minister of Labour, Seamus O'Regan, is being called on to step up and find a solution between the union and the railways.

Daryl Fransoo, chair of the Wheat Growers Association, says something has to be done.

"We have reached the point of uncertainty where the Minister needs to step up and find a solution between the union and the railways."

He notes that over the past month, they've communicated with the Minister twice and the Canadian Industrial Relations Board about the strike, but they haven't seen a response.

For years, glyphosate has been one of the most widely used chemicals in agriculture, but the long-term impact of that is now becoming more evident.

It's commonly used as a dry down on crops, but the product is believed to be causing serious health issues in livestock.

During the drought, some producers were forced to bring feed in from other areas to maintain the herd.

Tragically, some of those animals became sick and even died. It was later discovered that some of that feed had been treated with glyphosate during the dry-down period.

The Canadian beef industry is mourning the loss of a key figure.

Charlie Gracey served as General Manager and Executive Vice President of the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association from 1970 to 1990.

He's known for several accomplishments, including playing a leading role in developing a new grading system and standardized procedures for packing plants. 

He also helped address key health issues, like the eradication of Brucellosis, and played a key role in the Canadian Cattle Identification Agency.

There should be a sense of optimism during the Saskatchewan Stock Growers AGM and Convention next week in Swift Current.

President Garner Deobald says the recent rains and the strength in the markets are bright spots for the cattle industry right now. 

Deobald says the AGM and Convention provide producers and anyone involved in the beef sector with some key information.

Reaching New Heights is the theme for the event, which runs June 10th and 11th and marks the organizations 111th Anniversary.

Approximately two weeks after spraying, scout to check for surviving weeds that may need a second application. These weed “escapes” have a number of potential causes – from sprayer misses to low water rates.

Another common cause is herbicide resistance. In the case of kochia, herbicide resistance is a safe assumption as many kochia populations have stacked resistance to multiple groups.