Ag News

The latest in agricultural technology is on display at Ag in Motion this week.

As part of the opening celebrations this week some of the new and exciting technology in the ag field was recognized with the TD Agriculture Services Innovations Program.

The winners and finalists were announced in five categories during the Innovation in Agriculture Reception.

Taurus Agricultural Marketing was the winner in the Agronomics category. while Timac Agro Canada/Groupe Roullier was the finalist.

Sclerotinia stem rot is variable from year-to-year, region to region and even field-to-field.

Plants are most susceptible when the canola crop is flowering, and in high-yielding crops which create dense canopies and when combined with the right environmental factors is the ideal breeding ground for the disease.

Agronomy Specialist Chris Manchur says sclerotinia stem rot is one of the biggest yield robbers for the crop, as a 10 per cent rate of infection can lead to a 5 per cent yield loss.

The cooler temperatures last week slowed down crop development.

Provincial Pulse Specialist Dennis Lange is the editor of the weekly crop report and says most areas could definitely use a rain.

A storm rolled through the region on Tuesday providing some much needed precipitation. Unfortunately for too many producers, any amount of rain likely won't be able to salvage a strong 2023 growing season.

The Government of Saskatchewan is busy once again this year crafting supports to give farmers alternative options with their crops. Back on July 12, both the federal and provincial governments shared they would provide additional support for producers.

You might think rain at a farm show would not be a good thing but many farmers were happy to see the rain, while others are still waiting for some moisture back at the farm. 

Ag in Motion kicked off yesterday at the Discovery Farm at Langham.

The three-day event continues through Thursday.

Show Director Rob O’Connor says they had a strong first day as far as attendance adding that while they saw some rain there were a lot of smiles on farmers faces as they took in the show.

The merger of Alberta Barley and the Alberta Wheat Commission is officially just days away.

The newly formed organization will be known as "Alberta Grains" and will begin operations on August 1st.

The two organizations have been working on the merger since 2017.

Chair of the Alberta Wheat Commission Greg Sears says the new organization (Alberta Grains) will be focused on delivering value to farmers and other stakeholders while contributing to the growth and sustainability of the grain industry in Alberta.

Both boards are proud of the collaboration.

The Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association is calling on the province and federal government to do more to meet the needs of drought-affected livestock producers.

With the extreme drought conditions across the province, producers are feeling the impact from a poor hay crop in some areas limiting feed supplies, to pastures and water supplies drying up.

The hot, dry, windy conditions are making an already tough situation even worse, and with temperatures next week to be 30 plus it's becoming a critical situation.

Alberta RCMP is looking for help in solving a cattle theft that occurred back in November.

The incident occurred on a ranch in Athabasca County on November 21st when 79 calves, four cows, and two bulls were stolen.

The cattle are Black Angus and Simmental and have an M4 brand on the right hip.

The cattle could be anywhere including in another province.

People are being asked to be on the lookout for the animals, anyone with information is asked to call the RCMP.

Agricultural is always changing and at a rapid pace, trying to keep up with those changes can be a challenge.

Today, the Province (of Manitoba) and the federal government announced up to $1 million to support learning activities, knowledge transfer and resource development for local agricultural organizations.

Agriculture Minister Derek Johnson says stakeholders have told us they want more funding for formalized mentorship and peer-to-peer training

The Federal, Provincial, and Territorial Agriculture Minister's Conference gets underway tomorrow night in Fredericton, New Brunswick.

Agriculture Minister David Marit says a key issue of discussion for him going into the meetings is going to be the drought.