Ag News

The Manitoba Beef Producers (MBP) are pleased with the province's decision to reduce the temporary rent reduction by 55 per cent for Agricultural Crown land (ACL) forage leases.

Agriculture Minister Ron Kostyshyn says reducing the fees makes the leases more affordable and will provide producers with over $2 million in support.

MBP General Manager Carson Callum says the previous government made some commitments for rent reduction and some other changes that are supposed to be implemented by January 1. 

Federal Agriculture and Agri-Food  Minister Lawrence MacAulay has named Diedrah Kelly as Executive Director of Canada's new Indo-Pacific Agriculture and Agri-Food Office (IPAAO) in the Philippines.

Kelly has 20 years of international experience with Global Affairs Canada, served as Canada's Ambassador to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and was also Consul General of Canada in Mumbai, India.

The Philippines office represents a $31.8 million investment from the Government of Canada and will support the trade pillar of Canada's Indo-Pacific Strategy.

Farmers had a chance to learn more about how their grain is graded last week.

SaskWheat, SaskBarley, SaskCanola, and SaskFlax hosted the event in Swift Current and Indian Head.

Officials from the Canadian Grain Commission were on hand to guide producers through the grading process talking about some of the degrading factors in wheat, canola, flax, and barley.

Sask Wheat Director Rob Stone took part in the event.

He says as farmers when you take grain to the elevator and get the grade sometimes you question how they came to that decision.

The weekly cattle marketing report for the prairies shows feeder steer and heifer prices were mixed last week.

In Manitoba, feeder steer prices were mainly up over last week with prices ranging from $258.50 per cwt for the 901+, up to $417.14 per cwt for the 401 to 500 pound weights.

The biggest increase for the week was the 501 to 600 pound weight category which was up $14.50 per cwt for an average price of $355.36 per cwt.

Feeder heifer prices ranged from $336.39 per cwt for the 401-500 pound category to a low of $224.50 per cwt for the 901plus weights.

Irrigators from around the province and in Saskatoon this week for their Annual Conference.

This year's theme focuses on Saskatchewan Irrigation and Sustainable Food Security - Bringing Together Producers, Consumers, and Industry.

The event features several break-out sessions, and an irrigator speaker panel talking about the lessons they've learned along the way.

There's also a value-added specialty production panel talking about developing in Saskatchewan, and the keynote speaker for this year is the President and CEO of AGT Foods Murad Al-Katib.

CN Rail says demand for grain movement right now is well below the maximum sustainable supply chain capacity.

CN's assistant vice president of grain David Przednowek says with it being slow they've decided to start parking some equipment.

The farm equipment market saw strong sales at the start of 2023 as inventory levels of new equipment rebounded and farmers recorded record-high cash receipts. 

Farm Credit Canada's senior economist Leigh Anderson says record-high crop receipts in 2022 put farmers in a strong financial position to absorb the rising interest rates and equipment prices.

Canadian farmers reported producing more corn for grain and soybeans, but less wheat, canola, barley, and oats in 2023. Lower production for most crops was driven largely by lower yields, especially in Western Canada where growing conditions were generally drier than in 2022.

Many long-term herd health implications associated with drought extend far past the challenging grazing season. 

The Beef Cattle Research Council recently hosted a webinar to help producers tackle the challenges of drought.

Dr. John Campbell from the University of Saskatchewan told producers that when cattle consume bleached and dried-out forage stands or when their diet is switched to an alternate feed source, several deficiencies and conditions can occur.

Producers are being encouraged to give their input into the discussions around sustainability and agriculture.

Farmers for Climate Solutions have put a call out for farmers and ranchers to go to their website to apply to be part of a select group of producers that will be invited to give their input on the changes we see happening, the impact on the agriculture sector and areas that need to be considered.

A group of randomly selected participants will be part of the Farmer and Rancher Forums across the Prairies in early 2024.