Ag News

Agriculture Minister David Marit recently announced additional support for the province's producers dealing with wildlife damage. 

Marit says producers can receive funding for steps taken to prevent wildlife damage to feed supplies like fencing.

Producers who have received compensation greater than $2,000 per feed storage site may be eligible to receive a fence package to protect their future feed supplies. 

SCIC will inform eligible producers of prevention options and work with them to determine the appropriate package. 

The Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan is pleased that the Province has put a freight adjustment in place for producers in the southwest and west-central regions that have been dealing with wildlife damage to stacked forage.

President Ian Boxall says this support for farm and ranch families who have already been hit hard by drought is greatly appreciated.

"The ability to feed livestock with stacked forage is essential, particularly in areas that continue to experience dry conditions.”

Alberta is still dealing with 67 active wildfires. Saskatchewan has over 20,  while Wednesday morning Manitoba had five.

The wildfire situation has not only resulted in the evacuation of thousands of people, but livestock as well leaving producers struggling to try and relocate animals.

Brodie Haugan, Chair of the Alberta Beef Producers says you might not think of it,  but just like people livestock have to be evacuated.

Scattered rain-showers were the story once again this past week as mostly sunny skies were threatened by chances of precipitation. That trend could continue today and tomorrow before what's looking like a sunny stretch to end the week.

Much-needed rain did get the farmers out of the field in some cases, though in others it was just the possibility of a shower with no results that scared producers inside.

Wildfires across the prairies are a major concern  especially in Alberta as fire crews work to try and get control of the situation

Thousands of people have been evacuated as a result of the fires along with pets and livestock.

The fires have also impacted rail movement on some of CN's rail lines.

Assistant Vice-President of Grain David Przednowek says at the end of Grain week 40 the fire situation resulted in the shutdown of the Edson subdivision west of Edmonton.

It's going to be a busy weekend on the highways.

It's the long weekend and farmers are busy with seeding and will be moving equipment from field to field.

The communications coordinator for the Canadian Agricultural Safety Association Robin Anderson says it's important that everyone is patient, stay alert, and respects each other:

The Government of Alberta just released statements in support of those who have evacuated livestock and are looking for space.

Grazing disposition holders can accept livestock from other producers on their lease land to shelter displaced livestock without application prior to. This must be reported to the local rangeland agrologist within seven days. Here is the statement from GoA:

Under the provincial state of emergency, grazing disposition holders with grazing capacity can accept livestock from other producers subject to the following conditions:

Seeding operations across the province and in southwestern Saskatchewan are closing in on the halfway mark.

Provincially seeding is at 38 per cent with the southwest slightly ahead at 43 per cent complete.

Tyler Ellis, who farms north of Gull Lake, said it's been business as usual mostly for their 2,000-acre operation.

"So far so good," he said. "A few delays but nothing major. Unfortunately no rain delays."

Topsoil moisture in Saskatchewan shifted this week from adequate to short.

Producers in west-central Saskatchewan have 54 per cent of their crop in the ground and are ahead of the five-year average of 50. Producers are aware of fire bans in the area as they progress in seeding. A lack of spring precipitation has allowed producers to be very efficient with their seeding operations.

Manitoba Agriculture's first crop report of the year shows 25 per cent of the provincial crop is now in, compared to the 5-year average of 63 per cent.

Dennis Lange the Provincial pulse and soybean specialist and editor of the Provincial Crop Report says seeding is moving along now with the warmer weather.