Ag News

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. 

Agriculture Minister David Marit's trade and investment mission to Mexico last week was a success.

Marit along with members of Saskatchewan's Trade and Export Partnership travelled down for the Food Tech Summit and Expo in Mexico.

STEP and other members of the delegation hosted a booth at the event which attracts over 20,000 buyers, investors, and experts in the agri-food sector. 

The booth showcased Saskatchewan as the destination of choice for agri-foods innovation and investment.

The NDP will form the next Provincial Government winning a clear majority under incoming Premier Wab Kinew in Tuesday's election.

During the last session and throughout the election campaign Diljeet Brar was the NDP's voice on Agriculture.

There's every expectation he'll move into the role of agriculture Minister,  but the decision around Ministerial roles rests with the new Premier as he forms his cabinet.