Ag News

Premier Heather Stefanson was in Portage la Prairie today to announce plans moving forward to bring a first in Canadian industry to our area, and top boost our local economy as well as help decrease greenhouse emissions.

This week's crop report shows crops are advancing quickly and are reportedly in good condition.

There is some concern for later planted fields that are showing uneven and thin stands due to dry topsoil.

Cereal crops are in the four-leaf to full flag-leaf stage. Winter cereals remain in good condition with staging for fall rye at the milk to soft dough stage, winter wheat has hit the flowering to milk stage. Corn has advanced rapidly with the recent heat and most of the fields are at the V5 to V8 stage. 

Saskatchewan's Outstanding Young Farmers (SOYF) for 2023 will be named during a luncheon on Thursday.

Canada’s Outstanding Young Farmers Program (COYF) recognizes farmers and farm couples who exemplify excellence in their profession and promote agriculture.

The program is open to farmers or couples who derive at least two-thirds of their income from farming operations.

Saskatchewan is one of seven regions in the program with each region holding an event with local nominees.

Railroads around the province will have a bit more money to put towards projects as the province has sent out additional funding for the 2023-24 fiscal year.

That comes out to $530,000, which is the same amount as was given out last year to 13 different short-line railways.

Ministry of Highways spokesperson Steve Shaheen says that those railways are important to keep the province running.

Canada's Farm Show is set to welcome over 20 thousand visitors over the next three days.

Kirk Westgard, the vice president of agriculture for REAL District says this is the 45th edition of the show focusing in on the latest in agricultural technology.

Manitoba beekeepers will be eligible for $7.5 million in support from the federal and provincial governments to rebuild their colonies following extraordinary losses incurred over the winter of 2021-22, federal Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau and Manitoba Agriculture Minister Derek Johnson announced today.

HyLife is working to help 87 employees deal with losing their jobs due to lay-offs, and approximately 50 of them are in Steinbach. 

The company points to challenges in the industry as the reason for reducing their workforce by around 3.5 percent. 

The Livestock and Forage Centre of Excellence (LFCE) is holding its Summer Field Day tomorrow.

Director Scott Wright says the event presented by Canadian Western Agribition is free and gives producers an opportunity to tour the facilit.

He says producers will have an opportunity to chat with graduate students from the U of S about their work and then they'll head out to see some of the research work happening on-site.

To hear Glenda-Lee's conversation with LFCE Director Scott Wright click on the link below.

The warmer weather is really advancing this year's hay crop.

Crop maturity is advancing quickly with some alfalfa fields already in full flower.

Livestock and feed extension specialist Dwayne Summach says this year the hay crops coming in in a hurry.

He says if you're using it for beef cattle ideally you want to cut it at 10 to 15 per cent flower, and since some fields are well past that it is definitely time to get out there and cut it.

The County of Stettler is the first to make that declaration.

A very light snowpack with no run-off combined with an early and extended heat wave and no moisture led Council to make the announcement.

In a press release from the county Reeve Larry Clarke says they've been hearing the pleas from farmers and producers and they needed to take action.