AAFC wheat breeders introduce promising new wheat varieties to the Prairie Grain Development Committee for evaluation
The Prairie Grain Development Committee meetings are taking place this week in Saskatoon.
The meetings evaluate potential new cereal, pulse, and oilseed varieties for registration.
Dr Richard Cuthbert, the wheat breeder at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada's Swift Current Research and Development Center (SCRDC), is introducing a promising new Canada Western Red Spring (CWRS) wheat cultivar BW-5104 for evaluation.
Ottawa announces key funding for improvements to the National Index on Agri-Food Performance
The Federal Government has announced over $3.1 million for the Canadian Agri-Food Policy Institute under the AgriAssurance Program.
The funding will be used to make improvements to the National Index on Agri-Food Performance, which acts as a point of reference for companies to declare the sustainability of their practices.
Federal Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister Lawrence MacAulay says the money will help the sector take advantage of market opportunities, backing up our efforts with concrete data by making sure everyone measures sustainability in the same way.
Prairie Cattle Marketing Reports
Last week marked another busy week in the sales ring across the West.
Manitoba feeder steer prices ranged from $469.19 per cwt for the 401 to 500 pound weights to $270.56 per cwt for the 901 + category
Feeder heifer prices ranged from $389.72 per cwt for the 401 to 500 pounds to $246.13 per cwt for the 901 + category
Saskatchewan steer prices ranged from $427.50 per cwt for the 500-600lb weight category down to $313.00 per cwt in the 800-900lb weight category.
New board appointed for MASC
Agriculture Minister Ron Kostyshyn has appointed the new board of directors for the Manitoba Agricultural Services Corporation (MASC).
The MASC new board chair is John Plohman and the vice-chair is Don Kostesky.
Newly appointed directors are Paul Gregory, Mary Johnson, Larry Bohdanovich, Rayna Gleich, and Gurjaspal Singh Bala, while Brian Brown and Kristy-Layne Carr will remain on as directors.
Kostyshyn says these appointments are part of the Province's efforts to support a strong agriculture industry as the backbone of the provincial economy.
Chickpea growers encouraged to participate in grower survey
Pulse Canada says Canadian pulses are some of the most sustainable crops in the world, and they're looking to back that up with even more data.
Chickpea growers are being asked to participate in a survey looking at the environmental impact of Canadian chickpea production.
Pulse Canada will use the survey results to create a 'Life Cycle Assessment for Canadian chickpeas'.
Cropportunities is back
Cropportunities is back in Swift Current for its sixteenth year!
This year's event is set for Thursday, March 14th.
Cropportunities features an opportunity for producers to learn about local research conducted by Wheatland Conservation Area.
As well, there will be presentations on spraying in adverse conditions from Tom Wolf, Kevin Hursh will talk about costs, returns, and strategies for 2024, and Corey Henderson with FCC will talk about farm transitions.
Stats Canada is reporting a drop in cattle, hog, and sheep inventory
Statistics Canada released data on cattle, hog, and sheep inventory numbers as of January 1, 2024 as compared to January 1, 2023.
Stats show the Canadian cattle herd has fallen to its lowest level in over 30 years to 11.1 million cattle and calves on farms, down 2.1 percent from the previous year.
Key factors for the drop relate to the drought and tight feed supplies which put downward pressure on the cattle sector, while stronger prices saw more producers that may have been struggling with feed supplies sending some of their breeding animals to market.
Registration open for Saskatchewan's New Crop Webinar Series
Once again Saskatchewan Agriculture is holding its crop webinar series.
Each year the crop extension specialists host a series of webinars that cover agronomic topics relevant for the upcoming growing season.
The webinars feature provincial specialists, Agri-ARM sites, external researchers, and other guest speakers who relay key information and are on hand to answer any questions.
This year they are hosting eight webinars for you to take part in.
Snowfall welcome site as WSA preliminary Spring Runoff Report shows majority of the province is looking at below-normal to well below-normal runoff
This week's Alberta Clipper is bringing more snow and cold temperatures to the Prairies again.
The snow creates several challenges but will be a welcome site in many areas of the province.
The majority of the snow is hitting the central and northern areas around Saskatoon, while a wider system later in the week is expected to bring more snow including to areas in the southern part of the province.
India is extending the timeline for duty-free yellow peas
India is extending the timeline for duty-free imports of yellow peas.
Initially, India implemented a 50 per cent duty on yellow peas in November of 2017.
In December 2023, it announced a temporary duty-free import period ending in March 2024.
Last week, India announced that they would extend that duty-free period to the end of April.
Jeff English, the vice president of marketing and communications for Pulse Canada, says it's good to see the extension in place.