Ag News

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.

The Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan is the latest farm group to come out in support of extended interswitching provisions included in Bill C-47.

President Ian Boxall says 99 per cent of  elevators in Western Canada are serviced by just one railroad allowing railway interswitching would ensure supply chain efficiency:

Olymel has announced plans to close six hog production facilities in Western Canada.

The company is closing five sow units in Alberta (Smoky Sow/Dev, Pinnacle 1, Pinnacle 2, Dynacrest 1, and Dynacrest 2) and one in Saskatchewan (Kelsey) cutting about 17,000 sows from their operations.

Olymel's Vice President of Swine Production in Western Canada Casey Smit says ongoing challenges in the pork industry, financial losses, and uncertainty in the hog and pork markets led to the decision.

FCC's chief economist JP Gervais says it's an interesting time in the ag markets right now.

He points out that a key factor overall right now is the high-interest rates, something he doesn't expect to see change anytime soon. 

Gervais says commodity prices have come down lately and there's a lot of uncertainty going forward as to what the crops are going to look like in the prairies and around the world.

"Weathering the Storm" is the theme for the Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association 110TH AGM and Convention.

President Garner Deobald says the event has a number of presentations and a panel relating to risk management.

He notes it's an opportunity to connect with producers and help keep them informed on a number of key issues.

"Dr. Tammy Nemeth will be speaking about the changes to the environmental, social, and government standards and what it means for producers."

Canadian beef exports will soon have full market access to the Taiwanese market.

The news comes following the Federal Minister of International Trade's attendance at the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meeting. 

President of the Canadian Cattle Association Nathan Phinney says this sends a strong signal in the Indo-Pacific region, an area that holds a lot of potential.

Ongoing challenges in the pork industry, financial losses, and uncertainty in the hog and pork markets led to the decision.

Olymel announcing the closure of five sow units in Alberta (Smoky Sow/Dev, Pinnacle 1, Pinnacle 2, Dynacrest 1, and Dynacrest 2) and one in Saskatchewan (Kelsey) cutting about 17,000 sows from their operations.

Approximately 80 staff have been given their layoff notices,  Olymel is working with those affected to find other positions within the company or placement outside the company. 

Producers in southwestern Saskatchewan have been reaping the rewards of Mother Nature lately.

The weather station in Swift Current recorded 11.9 millimetres of precipitation over the weekend with 11.5 of that on Saturday.

Thursday and Saturday's rains have brought Swift Current to a total of 39.5 millimetres in May, just shy of the city's average at 44.8 millimetres.

"They've been well-timed rains," Environment and Climate Change Canada Meteorologist Terri Lang said. "It's been really dry for a long time, so I think the rain is quite welcome.

After the most recent crop report showed the west-central region as 81 per cent complete, another weekend of seeding pushed that number even higher as we enter the final few days of May.

The pictured field above between Plato and Eston is a good example of what's to come for the region as producers wrap up seeding.

Cooler weather and scattered rain showers have been helping as fire crews work to control the wildfire situation in the prairies.

Elizabeth Hucker, assistant vice-president of marketing and sales for bulk with CPKC says the railway hasn't been directly impacted adding they've been working with government agencies and provincial authorities.