Federal, Provincial and Territorial Agriculture Ministers meet in New Brunswick
Ministers discussed a number of key issues from the recent disruptions at the Port of Vancouver, to the Clean Fuel Regulations and honey bee health.
A key issue of discussion at the table was the extreme weather situations currently impacting producers including drought and wildfires with Ministers agreeing that innovation, scientific research and development, and collaboration play key roles in continuing to increase productivity and economic growth while protecting the environment.
Grain Growers of Canada have selected a new executive director
Kyle Larkin has been named executive director of the Grain Growers of Canada.
Larkin has experience with government relations, public relations and politics having held various positions on Parliament Hill, including with the Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister.
GGC Chair Andre Harpe says Kyle is the right person to help seize new opportunities as the organization navigates the shifting political and regulatory climate.
Drought discussion around West Central heating up
West-central Saskatchewan's current drought situation is going to be a travelling topic of discussion early this week.
The Saskatchewan Cattlemen's Association is holding meetings in Perdue on Monday, and Kindersley on Tuesday to get a better perspective on what's happening locally, and to nail down what kind of supports are needed.
Each meeting runs from 1:30 PM to 4:30 PM. The Monday meeting in Perdue will be at the Rec Complex, and Tuesday's meeting in Kindersley will be held at the Canalta Inn.
What is behind the grasshopper swarm?
As grasshoppers decimate fields throughout the province this year, the question of why echoes through the minds of many.
James Tansey, the provincial insect and vertebrate pest management specialist for the Ministry of Agriculture in Saskatchewan, explained that the grasshopper population each year is in direct relation to the weather conditions of the previous year.
SCA plans drought meetings - we need to hear from producers about what's needed
Producers are being called on to come out next week and talk about the impact of the drought and what kind of programming is needed.
Currently over 20 RM's in the province have declared "States of Emergency" due to the drought.
That number is expected to increase as temperatures are forecast to hit 30 degrees in most areas of the province today and will continue through next week.
Agronomists note with the lack of rain in many areas and that kind of heat for an extended period, we can expect to see further deterioration of crops, pastures, and dugouts.
Crops remain at normal stages in West Central, but more rain is needed
The west-central region has progressed through haying rapidly and are the most advanced in haying progress. With the region experiencing drought, many producers are hoping for rain to replenish soil moisture reserves.
The creation of a Foot and Mouth Disease Vaccine Bank continues to moves forward
Federal, Provincial and Territorial Ag Ministers announcing an agreement to create a vaccine bank for Foot and Mouth Disease. that's something the Canadian Cattle Association has been pushing for.
Estimates suggest a FMD outbreak would impact our ability to export animals and could cost the industry anywhere from $19.4 Billion to $65 Billion in potential economic impacts.
In the Spring budget, Ottawa committed $57.5 million over 5 years with $5.6 million ongoing to the CFIA to establish the Vaccine Bank and to develop FMD response plans.
BC Port dispute costing Canada's pork sector millions...Ottawa urged to bring in back to work legislation
The Keystone Agricultural Producers and Manitoba Pork say the strike is of grave concern to the Canadian Agriculture and Agri-Food Sector and are urging the federal government for immediate intervention.
The two groups saying we need to see back-to-work legislation to end the strike.
The ICLU and BCMEA had reached a tentative agreement, which was later voted down by the ILWU caucus which then issued a 72-hour strike notice for Saturday.
That was later rescinded but the industry remains on edge as to what will happen next.
CLAAS introduces North America to its tractor series
CLAAS launched its new tractor lineup to North America this week at Ag in Motion.
The European-based company chose Ag in Motion for its global launch.
CLAAS is well known for its combines and now it's adding tractors to their product line
Neil Pantlin, the Head of Commercial Development for CLAAS feels the tractors are a good fit in the North American market.
CGC urged to reverse its test weight changes
SaskWheat and APAS are calling on the Canadian Grain Commission to reverse its decision.
SaskWheat Chair Brett Halstead says their concerned about the impact this will have on farmers in smaller areas.
"If you have a small area and you have 60.1 bushels to the acre Spring Wheat which was the tolerance before, and now the new export standard is 63.3. There may not be blending opportunities within that area."
They note that test weight is of particular concern.