New $20 million wheat research cluster will help improve sustainability and profitability on the farm

The Canadian Wheat Research Coalition will administer the new $20 million Canadian National Wheat Cluster.

Coalition Chair Jake Leguee says the wheat cluster is critical to the development of wheat varieties, better economic systems and everything else that makes farmers in Western Canada grow wheat more profitable and sustainable. 

Agri-meteorologist says needed moisture could come in late March or early April

We should see some improvement in the weather as we get into the second half of Spring.

Drew Lerner, the senior agri-meteorologist with World Weather Inc says in the meantime we're going to continue to deal with the same below-normal precipitation bias that's been with us all winter long.

Agri-meteorologist says needed moisture could come in late March or early April

We should see some improvement in the weather as we get into the second half of Spring.

That is according to Drew Lerner, the senior Agri-meteorologist with World Weather Inc. He says in the meantime we are going to continue to deal with the same below-normal precipitation bias that has been with us all winter long.

Agri-meteorologist says needed moisture could come in late March or early April

We should see some improvement in the weather as we get into the second half of Spring.

Drew Lerner, the senior agri-meteorologist with World Weather Inc says in the meantime we're going to continue to deal with the same below-normal precipitation bias that's been with us all winter long.

Cattle can handle the cold, but extra attention is needed with the bitter cold temperatures

Cattle can handle fairly cold temperatures, but extra measures are needed when the temperature hits -20 or colder.

Jordan Johnson, a livestock and feed extension specialist, says animals start preparing for the cold through a process called 'photoperiod sensitivity'.

Saskatchewan Agricultural Hall of Fame 2024 inductees announced

Six individuals who have played a prominent role in the agriculture sector in the province will be inducted into Saskatchewan's Agricultural Hall of Fame in April. 

SAHF President Reed Andrew says the 2024 inductees, Abdul Jalil, Brian Olsen, Bruce Coulman, Grant Carlson, Les Johnston, and Stewart Stone, have made significant and distinguished contributions to the welfare and improvement of Saskatchewan agriculture.

The inductees will be formally inducted into the Saskatchewan Agricultural Hall of Fame at a ceremony in Saskatoon on Saturday, April 13th.

Agriculture sector encouraged to look at cyber security

When it comes to cyber security research from the University of Guelph suggests agriculture is behind the curve.

In the last few years, we've heard about online hackers and the damage they can do.

Cathy Lennon, the General Manager of the Ontario Federation of Agriculture says it's important to be aware of any potential risks.

FCC says 2023 crop was the most expensive crop ever for farmers

One of the key stories in 2023 was the economy with higher interest rates and increased costs.

JP Gervais, Farm Credit Canada's vice president and chief economist says the 2023 crop was the most expensive crop farmers have ever put in the ground with higher input costs and lower commodity prices as compared to 2022.

He says those factors had a key impact on farm profitability along with weather-related issues.

Food price increases for 2024 will be lower than in previous years

Canada’s Food Price Report 2024 is forecasting another increase but it's not expected to be as bad as in other years.

According to the report the average family of four is expected to spend $16,297.20 on food in 2024, an increase of up to $701.79 from last year. 

The report is a collaboration between researchers at Dalhousie University, the University of Guelph, the University of Saskatchewan, and the University of British Columbia. 

Dr Sylvain Charlebois is the project lead, a professor, and Director of the Agri-Food Analytics Lab at Dalhousie University.