Ag News

Four Provincial grower organizations have announced $13.4 million in funding for the newly launched Gate Capital Campaign.

Led by Cereals Canada, the $102 million Global Agriculture Technology Exchange project (otherwise known as Gate) will be built in downtown Winnipeg.

The new facility will provide office space for Cereals Canada as well as new state-of-the-art technical areas such as analytical labs, pilot processing and research facilities.

With bird flu outbreaks popping up more and more in the United States, officials are asking Canadian producers to not bring their own cattle over in case of contamination.

That comes as multiple producers will be unable to attend cattle shows below the border due to the spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI).

In a release from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), they advised against " all Canadian cattle travelling to and participating in agricultural exhibitions in the U.S. at this time."

The Canadian Foodgrains Bank has once again received federal government funding with a grant for $100 million over the next four years.

Split into $25 million per year, that will go towards their programs which help Candian-produced food go to hungry mouths internationally.

Andy Harrington, the executive director of the Canadian Foodgrains Bank, says he's happy to be able to help more people over the next four years.

Canadian farmers can take advantage of a program that can give them a leg up this harvest season through the Canadian Grain Commission's (CGC) annual Harvest Sample Program.

Through that farmers get an unofficial grading from the CGC which they can use to help market their commodities.

Program Manager of Analytical Services Kerri Pleskach talks about the program and how it helps out Canadian producers.

A new resource for farmers and researchers has been launched with the Root Rot Network covering advances in combatting diseases for crops in the prairies.

That includes both resources and research papers featured on rootrot.ca.

Sherrilyn Phelps, Director of Research and Development for the Saskatchewan Pulse Growers, talks about the partnership behind the website.

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada released their Canadian Drought Monitor Map earlier this month, painting an expected picture of drought conditions throughout Canada, including here in southeast Saskatchewan. 

Parts of southwestern Saskatchewan have returned to drought conditions after a dry summer.

According to Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada drought map published on August 31, much of the region ranges is listed in moderate or severe drought. With a few spots close to the Montana and Alberta borders in the abnormally dry category.

The severe drought spot runs from Swift Current north to the Rosetown area and west to Kindersley. 

Trevor Hadwen, an agriclimate specialist with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, said much of the province's moisture levels are adequate.

A farm setting in Biggar will soon be established with two new group homes and day programming for individuals with intellectual disabilities.

The pair of five-bedroom homes and 96 acres of land, donated by the town of Biggar, will be operated by Farm in the Dell. The non-profit organization already runs a similar type of operation in Aberdeen.

Tom Miller, a Craik area producer is trying to regroup after a long stressful ordeal and trial on charges of animal neglect that resulted in the Crown staying the charges against him before the closing arguments were heard.

The decision to "stay the charges" means that the trial and verdict have been put on hold, however, the charges are still in play and can be enacted anytime within the next year.

Miller says it's been a long haul, but it showed I was right.

The Saskatchewan Pulse Growers are looking to fill three positions on their Board of Directors. 

Nominations are now being accepted for the three-year term positions. 

SPG sees particular value in candidates with the following characteristics and experience: