Glenda Lee Vossler

Agriculture takes center stage in the Federal  Election campaign for some candidates this week . 

The Canadian Federation of Agriculture  (CFA) is holding their National Agricultural Leaders Debate on Thursday, April 17th.

CFA President Keith Currie says, like most Canadians, producers are concerned about what's happening south of the border and the plethora of executive orders that President Trump is putting in motion.

Farm Credit Canada's mid-year report shows cultivated farmland values rose by an average of 5.5 per cent nationally for the first half of 2024.

Over the 12 months from July 2023 to June 2024, there was a 9.6 per cent increase, representing a slowdown compared to the previous 12-month period (January to December 2023).

FCC's Vice President and Chief Economist J.P. Gervais says for the second consecutive year, Saskatchewan recorded the highest average six-month increases at 7.4 per cent, Alberta was at 4.6 per cent, and Manitoba 3.9 per cent.

Farm Credit Canada's mid-year report shows cultivated farmland values rose by an average of 5.5 per cent nationally for the first half of 2024.

Over the 12 months from July 2023 to June 2024, there was a 9.6 per cent increase, representing a slowdown compared to the previous 12-month period (January to December 2023).

FCC's Vice President and Chief Economist J.P. Gervais says for the second consecutive year, Saskatchewan recorded the highest average six-month increases at 7.4 per cent, Alberta was at 4.6 per cent, and Manitoba 3.9 per cent.

Fall is a critical period when it comes to managing winter hardiness or winterkill in alfalfa stands.

Range Management Specialist Trevor Lennox says alfalfa is thought of as queen of the forages.

"It's a very important forage, as a result, it's important to keep the stand as productive as possible."

He points out that when an alfalfa plant is cut, the initial regrowth that follows is produced from root reserves, as new leaves are developed, they begin to manufacture their own energy for growth.

Fall is a critical period when it comes to managing winter hardiness or winterkill in alfalfa stands.

Range Management Specialist Trevor Lennox says alfalfa is thought of as queen of the forages.

"It's a very important forage, as a result, it's important to keep the stand as productive as possible."

He points out that when an alfalfa plant is cut, the initial regrowth that follows is produced from root reserves, as new leaves are developed, they begin to manufacture their own energy for growth.

Some farmers experienced a delay in harvest activity with the recent rains.

The latest crop report shows precipitation for the past week ranged from 0 mm to 24.2 mm, with most of the rain reported in the Central and Southwest regions. The most precipitation 24.2 mm was reported at Windygates.

Manitoba Agriculture reports the provincial harvest is now 55 per cent complete with the Central Region leading the way at 68 per cent.

With recent rains in the area, many farmers have experienced a delay in harvest activity. 

The latest crop report shows precipitation for the past week ranged from 0 mm to 24.2 mm, with most of the rain reported in the Central and Southwest regions. The most precipitation 24.2 mm was reported at Windygates.

Manitoba Agriculture reports the provincial harvest is now 55 per cent complete with the Central Region leading the way at 68 per cent.

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."

China's Ministry of Commerce has announced plans to launch an anti-dumping case into Canadian canola seed imports. 

The action was initiated in response to the federal government’s decision to impose tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles, steel and aluminum. 

Many farmers and industry experts are concerned about the potential impact this case could have on the canola market. 

China's Ministry of Commerce has announced plans to launch an anti-dumping case into Canadian canola seed imports.

The action was initiated in response to a Canadian decision to impose tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles, steel and aluminum.

Canadian Canola Council of Canada ((CCC) CEO and President Chris Davison says China is an important and valued market for Canadian canola.

“We are confident that an investigation into Canada’s canola trade with China will demonstrate alignment with and reinforce our support for rules-based trade.”