Ag News

The Canada Grains Council President Erin Gowriluk says decisions need to be firmly rooted in scientific evidence.

"By prioritizing evidence-based approaches, we can enhance environmental stewardship and maintain a strong relationship between scientists and policymakers."

She says while they commend the Federal Agriculture Ministers recognition of the importance of pesticides to food production and security they see two critical areas of concern.

More emphasis is being put on addressing the labour shortages in the agriculture sector.

The province and Saskatchewan's Distance Learning Centre (Sask DLC) are partnering with the North American Equipment Dealers Association (NAEDA) to support agricultural work placements for students in agriculture related courses offered online.

Larry Hertz, vice president of NAEDA says labour shortages are one of the most pressing issues facing Canadian agriculture and are a major constraint on both agricultural growth and global competitiveness,

The McIntyre Ranch located south of Lethbridge is 130 years old and is one of the largest private landholdings in Canada.

The 22,000-hectare property is home to more than 150 species of plants and animals.

Grasslands are one of the most threatened and least protected ecosystems worldwide. 

This week is Native Prairie Appreciation Week, stats show that over 80 per cent of native prairies in Canada and around the world have been lost.

Here in Canada the vast majority of honey bee colonies (about 67 percent) are located in the prairies where 80 percent of the country's honey is produced.

Dr  Stephen Pernal, the National Lead for Apiculture Research program at AAFC's Honeybee research centre at Beaver Lodge (Alberta) says bees play an important role in agriculture.

The province announced Thursday that more support is coming for agriculture education in Saskatchewan.

In a release, the province said it has partnered with the Saskatchewan Distance Learning Centre and the North American Equipment Dealers Association. Through the new five-year agreement, the NAEDA will provide $40,000 annually to support work placements for students who are enrolled in agriculture related programs offered online through the Sask DLC. Many of the courses relate to agriculture equipment.

Livestock producers in the southeast are closely monitoring their water supply for the summer.

"Thirty-three per cent of producers are experiencing moderate water shortages already, while 67 per cent are anticipating water shortages," said Mackenzie Hladun, a crop extension specialist with Saskatchewan's Ministry of Agriculture. "Also, water quality concerns can be raised this time of year and if there are any concerns, producers are encouraged to bring in water samples to the Moose Jaw regional office and we can do water quality testing."

The governments of Canada and Manitoba are investing $2 million through the new Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership to enhance the capacity of rural veterinary services districts throughout Manitoba, federal Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau and Manitoba Agriculture Minister Derek Johnson announced today.

Rain has been a welcome site for crops, hayland, and pastures  in the province, but more is needed.

Last week, recorded rainfall levels varied from half a millimeter at Consul to 65 millimeters at Ituna.

Overall, livestock water supplies are a key concern with 46 per cent of producers facing moderate water shortages and another 52 per cent anticipating water shortages this summer.

It's a key concern especially for the western side of the province and into the southwest where producers are also concerned with water quality for their livestock.

The governments of Canada and Manitoba are providing funding under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP) to support Manitoba producers and processors in the areas of environmental sustainability and food safety and traceability, federal Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau and Manitoba Agriculture Minister Derek Johnson announced today.

The Federal Government has announced the next steps in a sustainable approach to pesticide management. 

Two years ago they paused the evaluation reviews on the maximum residue limits (MRL's) for pesticides.

Following consultation with stakeholders to better understand Canadians’ expectations about the pesticide regulatory review process and its transparency, Health Canada has restarted the science-based process of evaluating acceptable increases to pesticide residue limits, in line with international guidelines.