Policy reform seen as top post-election priority
New mandate called good time to overhaul business risk management programs and other policies that could help agriculture
Prime minister Mark Carney will name his cabinet May 12, and the Canadian Agri-Food Policy Institute has some advice for the incoming agriculture minister.
Kody Blois from the Nova Scotia riding of Kings-Hants served briefly after Carney replaced Justin Trudeau and is a strong candidate to continue.
CANTERRA SEEDS buys pedigreed seed firm Alliance Seed
CANTERRA SEEDS recently announced it would be acquiring Alliance Seed, saying the move would strengthen their seed business and expand distribution across Western Canada.
The pedigreed seed operation will continue to operate as a standalone brand under CANTERRA SEEDS’s umbrella, with key staff transitioning to maintain continuity and customer relationships.
Brent Derkatch, CEO of CANTERRA SEEDS says Alliance Seed has built an impressive portfolio and a network supported by committed seed growers.
Bunge Viterra merger remains stalled
It appears the recent trade tensions between the U.S. and China are delaying the proposed merger between Bunge and Viterra.
China has not yet approved the $34 billion merger between the two ag giants.
The deal has received antitrust clearance from the European Union and Canada, but the transaction remains stalled in China
due to what many people say is a result of trade tensions between the United States and China.
The merger was originally announced in 2023.
Avian Influenza update
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has declared a primary control zone for avian influenza in Manitoba.
The CFIA says it has declared the Rural Municipality of Boissevain-Morton a primary control zone.
The status means that specific measures are being implemented to prevent the spread of the disease through movement restrictions and permits.
To date, 17 premises in Canada have been identified as being infected with AI, including two in Manitoba, three in Saskatchewan and one in Manitoba.
Wadena Fire Department combats grass and brush blazes
The Wadena Fire Department was kept busy on a windy Thursday, May 8 with grass and brush fires, one of which threatened multiple dwellings.
At 3:56 pm, the Department was called to a field / bush fire 12km south of Wadena on Highway 35. The fire, originally reported as a grass fire, spread to nearby brush and into a field. High winds complicated a quick knock down; farmer tillage aided in suppression. The fire originated under a power line, but the cause remains undetermined. A bush truck, crew truck, a 6x6 utility and 7 members responded. Back in service at 6:00 pm
India urged to bring back pea tariff
The government isn’t thought to be in a hurry to impose a large duty on yellow peas as it takes steps to reduce food inflation.
India’s pulse trade is pushing for the government to implement a large tariff on imported yellow peas.
Bimal Kothari, chair of the India Pulses and Grains Association, recently told the Hindu Businessline that he wants to see a 50 per cent import duty on the crop to ensure the landed price is equivalent to the government’s minimum support price for desi chickpeas.
Flea beetles continue to be the most significant pest threat to canola crops
The Canola Council of Canada's 2024 grower survey asked growers to identify the diseases, weeds, and insects posing the greatest economic risk to the crop. Flea beetles topped the list once again, maintaining their position from the 2022 and 2020 surveys.
Name That Tune: May 9 2025
Name That Tune had more of a rock feel today.
Presley was the second to text in and had a chance to play because our first texter couldn't take the call. Presley risked it and won the $50.00 gift card to Humboldt Sobeys.
Listen to our conversation below.
You could be next to play tune in Friday mornings to hear the song of the day.
Spring seeding is well underway
Saskatchewan's Ministry of Agriculture has released its first crop report of the season. So far, 18 per cent of the provincial crop is now in the ground. That’s ahead of the five-year average (2020-2024) of 10 per cent and the 10-year average (2015-2024) of 12 per cent.
Crop Extension Specialist Meghan Rosso says farmers are making good progress.
Weekend Update: Artist workshop and talk highlights the exhibition Spirit of Nature: Looking Beyond Yourself
Special reminder: There will be an opening reception and artist talk on Saturday, May 10 at 1:30pm. Phyllis Poitras-Jarrett will be at the Gallery to discuss her artwork. This event is free and everyone is welcome.
Vibrant statements of colour accomplished with time honoured techniques and modern ‘pixel-art’ sensibilities – that's what awaits visitors to the Humboldt and District Gallery.