Ag News

Farm Credit Canada has released its mid-year dryland farmland values report for 2023.

Leigh Anderson, a senior economist with FCC says dryland farmland values were up 7.7 per cent nationally.

Saskatchewan led the country with dryland farmland values up 11.4 per cent, Manitoba came in at 6.4 per cent while Alberta only saw a  3 per cent increase.

Anderson says there are a number of factors influencing prices but a key issue is the growing conditions.

Saskatchewan's Ministry of Agriculture's latest crop report shows the provincial harvest is wrapping up.

According to the report 95 per cent of the provincial harvest is now complete, that's up from 91 per cent last week and ahead of the five-year average of 84 per cent.

Farmers still have some canola and flax to come in with canola at 90 per cent complete and flax at 68 per cent. 

Producers who still have flax standing are hoping for a frost to help stop the regrowth that is occurring due to the recent rainfall in some areas.

Thanksgiving weekend is always a busy time with family and friends. 

Thanksgiving and Christmas are the two biggest seasons for turkey consumption.

Stats for 2022, show that Canadians consumed 127.9 million kilograms of turkey,  with 2.1 million whole turkeys purchased at Thanksgiving.

Darren Ference, Chair of the Turkey Farmers of Canada says Thanksgiving and Christmas are one of the major parts to the full bird market.

The Canadian Agri-Food Automation and Intelligence Network (CAAIN) works with and helps fund innovators in bringing new technology to the ag sector.

CAAIN has been involved in 100 plus collaborations and is investing $30 million into 24 projects.

CEO Darrell Petras says CAAIN has been involved in bringing some key projects to the market.

SeedMaster has announced a new 10 year partnership with Olds College of Agriculture and Technology.

Tim Criddle, Global Sales Director at SeedMaster says this is an opportunity to support the industry that they are in.

He points out they've been very impressed with the type of research and field trials being done at Olds College and will be providing them with some cutting edge seeding solutions that will enhance their program.

Alberta’s agricultural societies have access to new funding for upgrades and repairs for their facilities.

The Government of Alberta has announced $2.5 million in grant funding annually for ag societies.

The Agricultural Societies Infrastructure Revitalization Program will award grants for upgrades to existing ag society facilities between $10,000 and $100,000.

Agriculture and Irrigation Minister RJ Sigurdson made the announcement at the Millarville Racing & Agricultural Society on Thursday.

He says these facilities often serve as community hubs.

Local Strathmore resident, Kaelym Bissett-Luyendyk is a 15-year-old Jr bull rider who has earned himself a spot on the upcoming Jr. World Finals in Vegas this year. Luyendyk started his bull riding journey in March of this year and has already come pretty far. 

Luyendyk will be partaking in a 5-day rodeo in Las Vegas, on December 6. He has no expectations for what is going to happen, he just hopes that he comes home with a win. 

It's the last day of our grain rush winners, day 12. Today we are celebrating BX Farms and as Jason Becks said harvest this year was not as good as they expected it to be. "Mother Nature plays a big role in everything that we do, so it wasn't that great this year." 

The season as a whole for the farm was very underwhelming Becks said, "that's what happens when you don't hold the cards like Mother Nature holds."

Leaders from four farm groups in Saskatchewan are calling on the province to take a closer look at the proposed merger of two key grain operators.

The Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan (APAS), SaskCanola, Sask Wheat and SaskBarley have written a letter to  Agriculture Minister David Marit urging the Government to conduct a thorough risk assessment concerning the proposed merger of Bunge and Viterra.

Agriculture Month is an opportunity to recognize the contributions of the agriculture industry and the dedicated individuals involved in producing our food.

Farm & Food Care Saskatchewan's Executive Director Clinton Monchuk says the disconnect between those who consume Canadian food and those who grow it -  is widening.