Fundamental factors cattle producers are watching for in 2025
"We had record prices in 2024,” says Manitoba Livestock Marketing Association Executive Administrator, Rick Wright. "For the cow/calf breeders in Manitoba, across Western Canada, it's the best year we've ever had."
“I've been in the business 45 years, and we've never seen cattle prices where they were this fall. And the good news is that looking ahead into 2025, it looks like these prices have the potential to carry on for next year and possibly the year after,” he says.
Manitoba Pork calls for strategic planning amid political and economic uncertainty
With everything going on around the world, pork producers across the prairies are keeping a watchful eye on developments and planning for what may come.
Manitoba Pork General Manager Cam Dahl characterized 2024 as a significant turnaround for the province’s hog industry, following a challenging couple of years marked by tight margins and disease concerns. Dahl is optimistic about the industry’s trajectory, emphasizing the importance of strategic planning for future uncertainties.
Soy Canada hosts virtual event targeting customers from Asia and Indo-Pacific
The second annual Canadian Soybean Harvest Update attracted more than 100 virtual attendees from Asia and the Indo-Pacific on December 10, 2024.
Hosted by Soy Canada, the live-streamed event brought together participants from Canada, China, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand, Taiwan and Vietnam.
Online AGM for Farm and Food Care Saskatchewan on January 8th
Farm and Food Care Saskatchewan’s annual general meeting or AGM is on January 8th. It is an online AGM both recapping the 2024 year as well as looking ahead to the 2025 growing year. Anyone interested is invited to join and learn about the inner workings of Farm and Food Care Saskatchewan and will be introduced to a new organization created in partnership called Canadian Food Focus. Clinton Monchuk, program director with Farm and Food Care Saskatchewan, is excited for this new organization to help bring food awareness to more urban centers.
Farm Transition Appreciation Day or FTADay is this January 9th
Farm Transition Appreciation Day or FTADay is on January 9th, 2024. This day looks at farm transitions and how important it is to have a good plan when wanting to transition the farm from one generation or one owner to the next. It also sheds light on some success stories of Canadian farms transitioning smoothly and finds better ways to do it in the future. Nick Oakley is a business development lead with Farm Management Canada who talks about the importance of a day like FTADay.
CMBTC looks at malt barley varieties for the 2025 growing year
As Canadian producers look forward to the 2025 growing year, cereal rotations are an integral part of their plans before hitting the field. Malt barley will be a big part of that as producers look to cash in on the premiums associated with malt barley. Primarily grown for beer production, malt barley differs from regular barley because it needs to be kept alive before heading to the breweries and food processors.
Saskatchewan seeing enhanced international trade as a boon for producers
Agri-food exports are one of the most important sectors for Saskatchewan to expand its international trade, with the province recently focusing on one country's growth.
The United Arab Emirates saw growth in imports of Saskatchewan agri-food products of 19 per cent over 2024 compared to 2023, with a total trade value of $322 million.
Grain Growers of Canada elects new executive
A grain farmer from Acme, Alberta has been elected as the new chair of Grain Growers of Canada (GGC).
Tara Sawyer, who is also the Chair of Alberta Grains, is the first woman to take over the role of chair for Grain Growers of Canada.
Joining her are Scott Hepworth, a grain grower from Assiniboia, Saskatchewan and a Director of the Saskatchewan Wheat Development Commission, as First Vice Chair and Sally Parsonage, a grain producer from Baldur, Manitoba and the Secretary of Manitoba Crop Alliance, joins the executive as Second Vice Chair.
FCC supports 4-H Canada with their FCC 4-H Club Fund
Farm Credit Canada or FCC have announced the recipients of their 2024 FCC 4-H Club Fund. This fund helps provide 4-H clubs across Canada with money to use in their operations. The FCC Club Fund has been in operation since 2013 and has given out over $1 million to over 2100 4-H clubs across Canada. Hugh Maynard is the interim CEO with 4-H Canada, who understands the impact this funding can have.
Learning the benefits of regenerative agriculture
A livestock producer from southeastern Manitoba says he is seeing the results of using regenerative agriculture principles on their farm.
Guy Bouchard farms in the Gardenton area. He explains that regenerative agriculture is farming with a sense of soil health and livestock health. Bouchard adds it is about thinking long-term and not just of short-term gains.