Ag News

What are the top issues on our Manitoba cattle producers' minds when it comes to the start of 2025?

The increase in livestock predation, mandatory livestock inspections in Manitoba, the large and damaging herds of elk across the province, and the Canada-U.S. trade relations all play a factor on net profits and market prices.

The trade relationship with the U.S. is crucial

The over 130,000 Canadian farmers and ranchers represented by the Canadian Canola Growers Association, Canadian Cattle Association and Grain Growers of Canada are calling on the Government of Canada to reverse its decision to administer the proposed capital gains inclusion rate legislation.

If you're a cow-calf operator, you've got some really good times ahead of you, says Rick Wright, Executive Administrator of the Manitoba Livestock Marketing Association.

Strong cattle markets in 2024 have continued into January and the next 2 years look promising.

We are two weeks away from the 46th annual general meeting (AGM) for Manitoba Beef Producers. The two-day event takes place February 20th and 21st at the Victoria Inn Hotel and Convention Centre in Winnipeg.

General Manager Carson Callum says the AGM features a lot of great speakers. He notes it starts with an Industry Knowledge Session on Day 1, led by Dr. Eric Behlke of TELUS Agriculture and Consumer Goods.

The Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association (SSGA) is looking to honour a few notable farmers from around the province.

They're hosting the Semi-Annual Meeting & Honour Scroll Banquet this week on February 7th.

SSGA President Jeff Yorga says that the event is historically a big part of Saskatchewan and they want to give it the credit it deserves.

What does Manitoba Agriculture Crop Specialist, Scott Chalmer from WADO (Western Agriculture Development Organization) do during the winter months between harvest and spring seed?

It’s annual general meeting time for the Keystone Agricultural Producers (KAP) and president Jill Verwey from the Portage area says there is plenty to cover. The AGM is happening today, February 4th, at the Delta Hotel in Winnipeg.

Verwey noted that, overall, Manitoba producers experienced a productive year in 2024. However, she highlighted concerns regarding crop pricing and the logistics of shipping grain.  

"It's been a tight fall and going into spring there several challenges faced by farmers.” 

A new position was unveiled at the University of Saskatchewan that aims to bolster crop breeding in Western Canada. 

The Saskatchewan Wheat Development Centre will be spending a total of $6.5 million to open up a new Saskatchewan Wheat Development Commission Applied Genomics and Pre-Breeding Chair at USask. This announcement was made at the Durum Summit held in Swift Current last week. 

The Canadian Beef Advisors (CBA) have released the 2025-30 National Beef Strategy. 

“The National Beef Strategy is about the future. We want people to know that the beef industry is preparing the way for the next generation”, states Bob Lowe, Chair of Public and Stakeholder Engagement.

The threat of tariffs from America has local producers making plans to stay ahead of the market.

U.S. President Donald Trump says he will be enacting various tariffs of 25 per cent or more on Canadian produced products starting Saturday. Local agriculture markets are waiting to see how they'll be effected.