Ag News

Work is officially underway on the new expansion at the Louis Dreyfus Canola Processing Facility at Yorkton.

Premier Scott Moe was on hand for the official sod-turning event.

He noted that Canola is a key part of our provincial economy and Saskatchewan’s Growth Plan. 

"That is why we’re committed to increasing canola crushing in our province to 75 per cent by 2030. This expansion project will put us on track to exceed that goal, which means more jobs and opportunities for the great people of our province."

Participants in the Canadian Cattle Young Leaders program gathered in Calgary this week for their annual Spring Forum.

This annual event brings together the program’s 16 participants from across Canada for three days of industry tours, classroom sessions, and networking events.

The CCA's Youth Leadership Co-ordinator Jessica Radau says it's a great opportunity for the group.

The province is looking for public input on their proposed changes to the Agricultural Crown Lands Leases and Permits Regulation.

Agriculture Minister Derek Johnson says agricultural crown lands are used by approximately 1,750 forage leaseholders on 10,750 leased land parcels, primarily for grazing and haying, supporting nearly 90,000 cattle for the grazing season.

Producers in the west-central region of Saskatchewan have 94 per cent of this year’s crop seeded, barely behind the five-year (2018-22) average of 95 per cent. While some limited rain was received in the region, many producers are hoping for precipitation soon to help with germinating their newly seeded crop.

Cereals Canada is back with its regular Growing Season Progress Report for the 2023 Prairie wheat crop

Director of market intelligence and trade policy Leif Carlson says global customers want to know how the Canadian wheat crop is progressing over the growing season.

The report focuses on seeding, crop conditions and quality, and harvest for wheat in Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba. 

The information is presented in a user-friendly format with provincial highlights, maps, and links to crop reports, as well as historical data for the past three years. 

The UFA Rural Communities Foundation is again offering up to $100,000 to ensure rural Alberta remains strong.

Five years ago, the UFA Rural Community Foundation made a commitment to give away $100,000 a year for five years with the goal to help keep rural Alberta communities sustainable.

"Our grants really do make it easy for communities to reach their fundraising goals," said board chair, Jennifer Wood. 

In the first four years, the $400,000 has helped 16 communities complete their projects.

The rain has been a welcome site in areas where this year's crop is in, but its also delayed seeding for areas like the southeast where only 80 per cent of the crop is in.

Crops Extension Specialist Mackenzie Hladun says the recent moisture is helping to restore moisture levels.

Economic Development Regina has released a report looking at spring seeding in Saskatchewan, calling it the province's largest megaproject.

In their report, they say that producers will spend around $11 billion dollars during the seeding season.

That includes the cost of seed, fertilizer, maintenance, and labour.

It's been a busy few weeks in the field for farmers as seeding wraps up.

This week's crop report shows 87 per cent of the provincial crop is in, that's slightly behind the five-year average of 91 per cent.

So far,  95-99 per cent of spring cereals, 95 per cent of corn, 90 per cent of soybeans, and 80 per cent of canola is planted. 

Pulse and Soybean Specialist Dennis Lange says if the weather holds seeding could be wrapped up this weekend.

He notes there's good emergence being reported on spring cereals and field peas. 

Kochia that survived pre-seed burnoff needs to be taken out before it drops seed later in the season. The big weeds can produce at least 15,000 seeds per plant – often many more – so letting them set seed and then spreading that seed with the combine can move a herbicide-resistant population across a field very quickly.

Kochia with resistance to both Group 2 and Group 9 herbicides is found all across the Prairies in big numbers. Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada weed scientists have also confirmed kochia populations with resistance to Group 4 and Group 14 herbicides.