PembinaValley

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.

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The Food for All fundraiser wrapped up this week with its final stop at Gardenland Co-op in Winkler, where the community once again showed up in a big way. The event, presented by Rede-Made Noodles and supported by local business sponsors, brought in a total of $5,853.13 in support of the Winkler & District Food Cupboard.

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. 

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. 

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.

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.

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.

Funeral For:  Harry Falk 
Funeral Date: May 12, 2025 
Harry Falk, 83, of Steinbach passed away Thursday, May 8th at Rest Haven Care Home. He is survived by his wife Esther, 2 daughters, 1 son, and their families. 
The funeral service for Harry Falk will be held Monday, May 12th at 7pm at Birchwood Funeral Chapel with private family burial at a later date. 
Viewing will be at the chapel one hour prior to the service. 
Arrangements by Birchwood Funeral Chapel, Steinbach.

Funeral For:  Helen Derewianchuk
Funeral Date: May 14, 2025 
Helen Derewianchuk, 91, of Winnipeg formerly of Vita, passed away Monday, May 5th at Seven Oaks Hospital. She is survived by 4 daughters, 2 sons, 1 sister, 1 brother, and their families. She was predeceased by her husband Matt, 1 sister, 1 brother, and 1 granddaughter-in-law. 
The funeral service for Helen Derewianchuk will be held Wednesday, May 14th at 11am at Birchwood Funeral Chapel with private family burial at Sundown Ukrainian Catholic Cemetery. 

The Pembina Valley is waking up to a smoky Friday morning, with a plume of forest fire smoke from northern Saskatchewan and Manitoba being pushed into the region.

"Gusty northerly winds are moving that smoky airmass into our area in behind a cold front which moved through earlier today," explained CMOS Accredited Weathercaster Chris Sumner. "The smoky conditions won't last long, as winds are forecast to turn southerly Saturday as we enter another stretch of very hot and dry conditions for Mother's Day weekend."