Ag News

The Canadian Cattle Association has been actively working on some key issues of concern for producers here at home, in the U.S. and internationally.

The CCA's general manager Ryder Lee says they're closely monitoring what's happening south of the border with their 'voluntary' Product of the U.S. Labeling legislation. 

He says they're watching to see if it changes how cattle are procured or beef is sold.

The Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan has submitted its official response to Transport Canada's public interest review relating to the proposed merger of Viterra and Bunge.

Transport Canada launched the review in the fall of 2023.

APAS  President Ian Boxall says the acquisition raises some critical issues around the potential impact on the agriculture sector in Saskatchewan, especially as it relates to producer deliveries or any possible elevator closures as Viterra holds 27 per cent of the total capacity.

The Saskatchewan Beef Industry Conference moved to Regina this year.

The annual event featured several key speakers and topics designed to help increase awareness and productivity for producers in their operations.

The opening keynote presenter was Travis Hickey of Cattlenomics, the company offers Livestock Brokerage and Risk Management services to producers.

Hickey founded the company and has extensive experience on the cattle side and data analysis and trading.  

The pulse market has been relatively strong compared to most other crops.

That was the message Jonathan Driedger with Leftfield Commodity Research delivered to pulse growers this week during the Saskatchewan Pulse Growers Regional Meeting in Swift Current.

Driedger told the group online and in person that while the pulse market has been doing well,  he's not sure just how much upside is left for old crop prices.

He points out that one of the challenges for buyers right now is being able to make commitments that they don't know, they can source.

A lot is happening globally that has a direct impact on our agriculture markets from the Russia-Ukraine war to the war in the Middle East.

Brad Magnusson with Magnusson Consulting Group was one of the keynote speakers for this week's Ag Outlook 2024 event.

In giving the global economic outlook, he noted that the United States has a more service-based economy and has done better than Canada.

"It's stronger in GDP growth and employment, while we are heavily based in commodities meaning we'll struggle more."

The Keystone Agricultural Producers are holding their Annual General Meeting in Winnipeg.

About 180 producers from around the province are expected to attend this year's event as the grassroots organization celebrates 40 years.

President Jill Verwey says it's also exciting because they changed up the process and on the first day of the conference they have some world class speakers coming in to talk about issues.

The past President of the Canadian Federation of Agriculture (CFA) has been appointed to the Senate.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announcing Monday that Mary Robinson has been appointed as an independent senator for Prince Edward Island. 

"Ms. Robinson’s experience in agriculture and business will bring an important perspective to the Senate, where she will be a strong voice for Atlantic Canada. I look forward to working with her to make life better for Canadians from coast to coast to coast."

Federal Agriculture Minister Lawrence MacAulay had a productive trip to Washington last week. 

During his visit, he met with his American counterpart Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack.

The pair discussed a number of key issues from Canada U.S. food supply chains, to food security, environmental sustainability and rules-based international trade.

Government stats show that in 2022 Canada-U.S. trade in agriculture and food rose by 14 percent to over USD $70 billion – nearly USD $200 million a day. 

The recent cold snap caused numerous problems across a number of sectors including the grain transportation system.

Starting the second week in January temperatures started the deep dive as a cold arctic air mass covered most of the West and would stay in that position for a few days.

Temperatures dropped from the minus 20s to the mid-40s, resulting in new record low temperatures being recorded in some areas of the prairies.

The Saskatchewan Beef Industry Conference runs today and tomorrow at the Delta Hotels in Regina.

Grant McLellan, the chief executive officer for the Saskatchewan Cattlemen's Association says this year's theme is What's Now, What's New, What's Next.

"It's a little bit of a reflection on the past couple of years that have been challenging for producers, but we also know that there's a lot of movement and innovation in the sector. So we really wanted to bring that kind of theme and concept to producers."