Maintaining CUSMA access should be the priority amongst other trade noise
Panelists agree that maintaining access under the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement should be priority among other trade noise
Canadian trade negotiators should be cautious and be prepared to weather further abrupt policy changes from U.S. president Donald Trump.
A panel on trade and politics at the Seeds Canada conference in Quebec City heard that Canada’s ability to delay trade negotiations could be valuable in finding a way to a successful renegotiation of the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA).
McCain Foods looks for new processing potatoes
Company works with Farming Smarter Association as it searches for options other than the century-old Russet Burbank variety.
Russet Burbank has been the go to potato variety for Canadian farmers and consumers.
This year, McCain Foods in Chin, Alta., has entered a corporate partnership with the Farming Smarter Association to explore the viability of other varieties in its food processing plant for farmers to consider.
Farming Smarter is using one of its commercial plots to do a research trial growing four varieties using six treatments.
Sask. ag group wants strychnine back
The Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan has written to the federal government asking for emergency use of strychnine to control gophers
The Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan wants strychnine reinstated under emergency use provisions.
The organization has asked the federal agriculture and health ministers to “urgently” consider the request.
APAS said there is a significant uncontrolled increase in the population of Richardson’s ground squirrels costing about $9 million a year.
Genesis Fertilizers says it has hit ‘turning point’
Firm behind plan to build Saskatchewan fertilizer plant had to recently deal with former CEO’s financial problems
It is full steam ahead at Genesis Fertilizers despite a tumultuous June, say proponents of the proposed Saskatchewan mega-project.
“It’s not a matter of if, it’s a matter of when we get this project off the ground,” said Terry Drabiuk, vice-president of business development with Genesis.
The project is a proposed $2.89 billion, farmer-owned nitrogen fertilizer plant to be built in Belle Plaine, Sask.
Agriculture Minister Daryl Harrison updates producer groups on AgriStability changes
Saskatchewan producers will benefit from major enhancements to the AgriStability program for the 2025 program year, aimed at strengthening support amid trade uncertainty and ongoing drought conditions.
Federal, provincial, and territorial agriculture ministers met virtually last week and agreed to increase the compensation rate from 80 per cent to 90 per cent, and doubled the maximum payment cap from $3 million to $6 million per operation.
Saskatchewan Agriculture Minister Daryl Harrison announced the changes yesterday on a farm at Rush Lake.
Senft to step down as CEO of Seeds Canada
The founding CEO of the five-year-old organization will stay on until January 2026
Seeds Canada is looking for a new chief executive officer after Barry Senft announced he is stepping down from the role he’s held for about four years.
Senft will continue to serve as CEO until the end of January 2026.
“I think after five years, it’s time for new leadership,” he said during the 2025 Seeds Canada conference in Quebec City.
He said someone with more seeds experience would make sense now that the organization is up and running.
Steam engines, Stampede, and Seafood: Manitoba Threshermen’s Reunion adds Aquaculture to the mix
The Manitoba Threshermen's Reunion and Stampede takes place this week at the Manitoba Agricultural Museum near Austin from Thursday to Sunday.
With more than a hundred acres of land that features life in a pioneer village, the 4-day event will showcase steam engine demonstrations and antique farming activities. Horse-drawn wagon rides and a classic car display will add to the event's fun factor, and of course every evening will feature Manitoba’s best semi-pro rodeo and live musical entertainment.
FPT Agriculture Ministers agree to AgriStability enhancements for 2025
The ongoing fire situation in Manitoba, resulted in the Federal, Provincial and Territorial Agriculture Ministers meeting virtually last week.
They discussed a number of issues, from the weather impacts to international trade, improving interprovincial trade opportunities, and enhancements to AgriStability.
For the 2025 program year only, they agreed to increase the AgriStability compensation rate from 80 per cent to 90 per cent and increased the maximum payment limit from $3 million to $6 million.
BMW Foodgrains project commits to fighting hunger—one acre at a time at Fairfax
The Boissevain-Morton-Whitewater (BMW) Foodgrains committee is pleased with the progress on the 300 acre field at Fairfax for this year's grow project.
Field Manager, Mitch Bohrn, says this year they grew wheat the field west of Minto a bit on the later end when everybody else was seeding wheat in the area and it's actually turning out to be pretty good. "It's caught some really nice rains the last little bit here and things are looking really good," says Bohrn.
Genetic tools help producers improve replacement heifer selection and profitability
Choosing the right replacement heifers is more important than ever for cattle producers, especially with today’s record-high calf prices.
“Replacement heifers represent the genetic potential of a producer’s operation,” says Alexis DeCorby, Livestock and Feed Extension Specialist with the Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture’s Yorkton office.
“They’re a costly investment that requires about two years of inputs before they produce a live calf.”