Ag News

Alberta's fields have been sated over the week as rain has blanketed the province giving some much-needed moisture.

However, that's also led to seeding progress stalling thanks to that rain, with some farmers even reporting light snow and hail over the week.

In total, Alberta farmer's progress is around 25 per cent to 58 per cent complete. 

In terms of seeding progress of major crops, dry peas are pulling ahead with 82 per cent complete, while oats are at the back of the pack with 36 per cent complete.

The Canadian Agriculture Human Resource Council released a report on a recent survey they held which looked at labour conditions in agriculture.

The survey included 609 employees from a total of 140 different agricultural organizations, looking across different levels of responsibility.

The survey found that across all roles, the weighted average and median hourly rate increased with each level of increased role responsibility.

The CAHRC provided the following info:

Pulse growers have a few things to look forward to this year as trade seems to be opening up in international markets.

Saskatchewan Pulse Growers Executive Director Carl Potts talks about India opening up recently.

The Canadian Agri-Food Automation and Intelligence Network (CAAIN) today disclosed the final three recipients of two funding competitions it held in 2023.

A joint statement was signed between Canadian, American, and Mexican cattle organizations to better synchronize the industry across North America.

The Canadian Cattlemen's Association met their counterparts as part of a meeting last week, discussing some of the best business practices among them.

CCA President Nathan Phinney says that the meeting resulted in some good conversation.

Canadian Western Agribition is preparing for a new year of events and is connecting with organizations around the globe to help further their reach.

They signed a pair of Memorandum of Understandings with Congreso de las Estrellas and Beef Australia, two international beef organizations, to better connect with international beef producers.

Despite recent rainfalls hampering seeding progress over the last week, Saskatchewan producers are still getting work done to get seeds in the ground.

The latest crop report shows that 56 per cent of crops have been sown, compared to 32 per cent last week.

This is behind the five-year average of 76 per cent and the 10-year average of 74 per cent. 

An initiative between Farm Credit Canada and the Regina Food Bank has introduced some new technology that will help with the food bank's needs.

The FCC supplied them with a containerized grower, a unit that can grow certain vegetables in a controlled environment that can be set up anywhere.

Regina Food Bank President John Bailey talks about the new unit and how it'll help the food bank.

Saskatchewan's Ministry of Agriculture is letting producers know a recent result of a study that could change how producers use herbicides on shrubs.

In 2019, the government looked to demonstrate and compare two chemical control options in southwest Saskatchewan to control the encroachment of a pair of woody species on rangeland: Western snowberry (Buck brush) and Wolf Willow.

To do that, they applied 2 herbicides on July 11, 2019:

- Reclaim II ‘A’ at 81 g per acre, plus Reclaim II ‘B’ at 0.69 L per acre,

Manitoba has farmers in the fields looking to seed before the season's over, with progress trailing closely behind the five-year average.

The latest crop report Is summing up that progress, along with giving a look at current moisture levels.

Provincial Pulse and Soybean Specialists for Manitoba Agriculture and editor of the provincial crop report Dennis Legue talks about the progress farmers are making.