Ag News

Producers from across the southwest and beyond crammed into the Living Sky Casino's Event Centre Thursday to gain valuable knowledge about durum wheat. 

Over 230 people attended the fourth bi-annual Durum Summit in Swift Current to learn from nearly 20 durum experts who provided farmer, market, research and agronomy, customer, and transportation perspectives.

Earlier this week, the Canadian Wheat Research Coalition (CWRC), announced they’ve committed $11.8 million of funding over the next five years to the University of Saskatchewan’s Crop Development Centre (CDC). With the CWRC’s previous funding agreement with the CDC expiring this year, CWRC’s president Lori-Ann Kaminski knew that this was a deal that needed to be done. 

The 48th Manitoba Ag Days was considered a huge success again this year.  

Teresa Hildebrand, the event's Media Coordinator, said the event drew tens of thousands of visitors over the 3-day event from across the region and beyond. She had their 50/50 jackpot was the largest ever and everyone was very pleased with the event. 

The Canadian Cattle Association has been looking for ways to keep Canadian beef producers going strong even as the U.S. is threatening a 25 per cent blanket tariff on the country.

That work has included speaking with American representatives and charting a course through new trade realities.

Nathan Phinney, the President of the CCA, says that having the time to discuss the tariff is one small positive in the situation.

The 45 Feeder Associations of Alberta will be meeting in Red Deer Jan. 30 - Feb. 1st to talk business and do future planning.

“By being partners in livestock financing, our associations have helped grow Alberta’s livestock business by making credit more accessible and flexible,” says FAA Executive Director Craig Guthrie.

2024 was one of the largest years on record, with FAA loans accounting for 20 per cent of the ag lending market in Alberta.

Insects are always a challenge for farmers on the prairies. The unpredictable weather in Manitoba played a significant role in shaping that province’s insect activity in 2024. According to John Gavloski, an entomologist with Manitoba Agriculture, the cold, wet spring had both positive and negative effects on various pest populations. Gavloski shared insights into the challenges farmers faced and what they can expect heading into 2025.

After over 40 years, a local ranching operation was recognized for its long-standing herd of Black Angus cattle. 

The K3 Ranch, located between Rush Lake and Herbert, was presented the Commercial Producers of the Year Award by the Sask. Angus Association. 

Jim Klassen, who runs the operation alongside his two brothers, was humble about the award. 

"I wouldn't suggest we're ahead of anyone else," said Klassen. "I think we're just that much older than everybody."

The Canada Grains Council (CGC) is welcoming the recent CUSMA panel ruling, which determined that the restrictions Mexico placed on genetically modified (GM) corn were not scientifically justified.

Ag Days Gives Back has been supporting local agricultural efforts for over a decade, this year giving $55,000 through community grants and scholarships.

Manitoba Ag Days enters its second decade of investing in rural communities and agriculture education through the Ag Days Gives Back program. 100% of the funds raised through the Manitoba Ag Days 50/50 are used to support K-12 ag education, post-secondary ag education and community organizations throughout Manitoba and Saskatchewan. 

Antara Agronomy Services was awarded the Agri-Business Award in the Ag Day’s Innovation Showcase this week for their Antara Insights 2.0 program. 

Brunel and Jennifer Sabourin live in St. Jean Baptists, MB.  They started their company 10 years ago out of a need to provide more answers for local farmers. The program is meant to collect local data, giving the tools to local farmers to make more insightful decisions.