Bill C-234 won't pass through the Senate before their Summer break
Bill C-234 would see farmers exempt from paying the carbon tax on propane and natural gas used on-farm for drying grain and heating barns.
Conservative Senate David Wells sponsored the bill in the Senate and says it received second reading last week and has been referred to the Finance and Agriculture Committee.
CN Rail is working on putting together their 2023-24 grain plan
CN's assistant vice president of grain David Przednowek says as a result they're watching what's happening with crop development and taking that into account when trying to determine new crop movement.
He says last year, they implemented a lot of operational changes that delivered really strong consistent grain movement and this year is an opportunity to refine the plan and tweak it.
With Grasshoppers being a problem this year, keeping economic thresholds in mind is important
Prairiewide grasshoppers are a key insect to monitor for right now, especially in the southern and drier areas.
Grasshoppers can cause tremendous damage to a crop.
Saskatchewan's insect specialist James Tansey says with that in mind it's important to take note of the economic thresholds for the crop.
Prairie Pest Monitoring Network update
The Prairie Pest Monitoring Network Report shows flea beetles are still out there.
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada's Field Crop Entomologist Dr Meghan Vankosky says farmers should be busy scouting for insects.
"Flea beetles are still out there, but most canola is past the damage stage and patchy reports of cutworm damage are still coming in from Alberta."
She says grasshoppers are going to be an issue across the prairies.
Root rot in lentils showing up after heavy rains
Farmers are in the home stretch right now when it comes to seeding, 99 per cent of the crop is in the ground.
Last-minute fields were seeded as they dried up over recent weeks following late spring storms, heavy rains and cool weather.
Crops Extension Specialist Matt Struthers says producers were able to get all their fields seeded without major issues or delays.
Storm activity over the last week resulted in some localized flooding, hail and wind damage, but overall producers were happy to see a good rain.
Farmers assessing crop condition
Recent rains have helped to improve topsoil moisture, crop development, and hay and pasture conditions across the Prairies, while some regions are still looking for some moisture.
In Manitoba, soil moisture levels are variable with the majority of the province showing optimal to wet conditions to the 30 cm depth.
Pulse and soybean specialist Dennis Lange says a major storm moved through the southwest that brought heavy rain, wind, and hail.
He notes farmers have been assessing their crops to determine if there's going to be any re-seeding.
If it's not drought, how about grasshoppers?
Grasshoppers are making a return to southern Alberta.
The Director of Agriculture Services for Vulcan County Kelly Malmberg says it reminds him of the 1980's.
"One thing we're really seeing, we had some real dry springs, grasshopper infestations are really bad in pockets around south of Vulcan and west and east we're starting to see some pretty heavy populations of grasshoppers and they are eating crops, so guys are spraying," he says.
Malmberg says he's even heard of them moving into people's yards and eating anything in sight.
There is some hope though.
If it's not drought, how about grasshoppers?
Grasshoppers are making a return to southern Alberta.
The Director of Agriculture Services for Vulcan County Kelly Malmberg says it reminds him of the 1980's.
"One thing we're really seeing, we had some real dry springs, grasshopper infestations are really bad in pockets around south of Vulcan and west and east we're starting to see some pretty heavy populations of grasshoppers and they are eating crops, so guys are spraying," he says.
Malmberg says he's even heard of them moving into people's yards and eating anything in sight.
There is some hope though.
New partnership will advance plant-based food opportunities
Protein Industries Canada (PIC) and Innovate UK, the UK’s national innovation agency have announced a new bilateral partnership.
The goal of the partnership is to develop greater connections between the food sectors in both countries by working together to support innovation in plant-based food and ingredients.
CEO of Protein Industries Canada Bill Greuel says they are excited to work with Innovate UK to create new partnerships and further advance innovation in plant-based food, feed, ingredients, and co-products.
Governments Invest $18 Million for Diagnostic Services For Animals
Prairie Diagnostic Services in Saskatchewan will receive $18 million in funding from the Federal and Provincial Governments.
The money under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership will support the work they do in disease diagnosis, surveillance, research, animal health, and welfare.
Federal agriculture minister Marie-Claude Bibeau says understanding and containing disease outbreaks is key to safeguarding producers' animals and maintaining the international reputation of our agricultural industry.