Ag News

The issue is Mexico's decision to ban the use of biotechnology corn in tortillas and dough.

The Mexican president has said the intention is to gradually substitute the use of biotechnology corn in all products for human consumption and animal feed, and the rejection of applications for authorizations covering the importation and sale of certain biotechnology products.

The United States has requested dispute settlement consultations with Mexico under the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA).

Southwest producers were thrown a bit of a curveball to start the season, but recent conditions are making up for that.

A mid-April snowstorm put a damper on anyone hoping to begin their seeding operations later in the month. 

Instead, most producers began in May and nearly all in the southwest are now finished according to the Saskatchewan weekly crop report released on Thursday.

Timely and widespread rains have travelled through the area the last few weeks helping supplement the freshly planted crop.

A popular tradition of celebrating the people who produce our food wrapped up Thursday in the Frobisher area.

Another year of Seed and Feed concluded with Nolan Kowal and Linda Bartschat of Golden West Radio bringing a Southern Plains Co-op lunch to Kelly Biberdorf and the crew at KBAD Farm Ltd. 

Congratulations to our 10 winning farms for 2023. We hope it's a very fruitful growing season:

Neumann Acres, Van De Woestyne Farms, Future Four Farms, LeBlanc Farms, Gervais Farms, Family View Farms, BD Poirier Farms, Carson Farm, Merv Hagel Farm, KBAD Farm Ltd.

The Manitoba government continues working collaboratively with the Potash and Agri Development Corporation of Manitoba (PADCOM) as Manitoba’s first-ever potash mining operation starts pilot production, Premier Heather Stefanson and Economic Development, Investment and Trade Minister Jeff Wharton announced here today.

Most seeding operations have wrapped up in the region now that 99 per cent of the crop has been seeded, up from 94 per cent last week and on par with the five-year average. While most producers reported that there is enough moisture to support germination of crops, more is needed soon to ensure continued development.

This week Ottawa announced that the Philippines will be the official location for the new Indo-Pacific Agriculture and Agri-Food Office.

The office to be located in Manilla is a joint venture between Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.

Canadian Cattle Association President Nathan Phinney says cattle producers are encouraged to see the progress in establishing the new office and look forward to seeing it enhance market access opportunities in the region.

Dry conditions in southwestern Saskatchewan have been fairly prevalent since 2017 but perhaps Mother Nature is beginning to change for the good.

According to Swift Current Research and Development Centre data, from 2017-2021 they recorded an average of 310.2 millimetres of precipitation which is well below the 137-year normal of 364.4 millimetres. That five-year stretch is the driest on record since 1984-1988 when the average was 293 millimetres.

Retired Saskatchewan Crop Insurance Corporation employee Devin Cherneski shared a heartfelt goodbye to the West Central region after 30+ years of work.

Cherneski officially moved on to join the team at Sask Municipal Hail Insurance as their Provincial Claims Manager back on June 1, and now being moved on from the area he worked in for many years, the long-time crop insurance provider wanted to give a special shoutout to all of the agriculture producers and stakeholders he helped out over the years in his various roles within the provincial entity.

Stats show that for the first quarter of 2023 agri-food exports are estimated to be $6 million, that's up 75 percent from the same period last year.

Agriculture Minister David Marit says increased export numbers demonstrate the strength and resilience of our agri-food sector,

"Trade statistics like these reinforce Saskatchewan's sustainability story internationally, showing global investors that Saskatchewan producers are in an excellent position to feed the world today and in the future."

Most of the province received some moisture over the last week, including some of the drier areas in the southwest.

The rain delayed some field work for producers trying to wrap up seeding.

Precipitation ranged from trace amounts up to 54 mm in the Dinsmore area and 64 mm around Glenavon.

Heavy rain and winds also resulted in reports of hail and localized flooding in some areas.

Crops Extension Specialist Sara Tetland says the rain has helped to improve moisture conditions.