Avian Influenza update
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has declared a primary control zone for avian influenza in Manitoba.
The CFIA says it has declared the Rural Municipality of Boissevain-Morton a primary control zone.
The status means that specific measures are being implemented to prevent the spread of the disease through movement restrictions and permits.
To date, 17 premises in Canada have been identified as being infected with AI, including two in Manitoba, three in Saskatchewan and one in Manitoba.
India urged to bring back pea tariff
The government isn’t thought to be in a hurry to impose a large duty on yellow peas as it takes steps to reduce food inflation.
India’s pulse trade is pushing for the government to implement a large tariff on imported yellow peas.
Bimal Kothari, chair of the India Pulses and Grains Association, recently told the Hindu Businessline that he wants to see a 50 per cent import duty on the crop to ensure the landed price is equivalent to the government’s minimum support price for desi chickpeas.
Flea beetles continue to be the most significant pest threat to canola crops
The Canola Council of Canada's 2024 grower survey asked growers to identify the diseases, weeds, and insects posing the greatest economic risk to the crop. Flea beetles topped the list once again, maintaining their position from the 2022 and 2020 surveys.
Spring seeding is well underway
Saskatchewan's Ministry of Agriculture has released its first crop report of the season. So far, 18 per cent of the provincial crop is now in the ground. That’s ahead of the five-year average (2020-2024) of 10 per cent and the 10-year average (2015-2024) of 12 per cent.
Crop Extension Specialist Meghan Rosso says farmers are making good progress.
Seeding Progress in Manitoba: A Promising Start to the Season
Manitoba Agriculture reports significant progress in seeding activities across the province, with favorable weather conditions contributing to an accelerated pace. Sonya Wilson, Oilseed Specialist with Manitoba Agriculture, provided an update on the current state of seeding.
Equipment safety and employee training crucial on farms
Agriculture is one of the largest industries in the province, and simultaneously one of the most dangerous. As seeding and calving season gets underway, safety is once again top of mind for local farmers and their employees.
Ryan Jacobson is the Chief Executive Officer with the Saskatchewan Safety Council (SSC) and formerly operated an agricultural farm in southeast Saskatchewan. He explains that every industry experiences gaps in safety protocols.
Equipment safety and employee training crucial on Saskatchewan farms
Agriculture is one of the largest industries in the province, and simultaneously one of the most dangerous. As seeding and calving season gets underway, safety is once again top of mind for local farmers and their employees.
Ryan Jacobson is the Chief Executive Officer with the Saskatchewan Safety Council (SSC) and formerly operated an agricultural farm in southeast Saskatchewan. He explains that every industry experiences gaps in safety protocols.
Food inspection could fall victim to U.S. deregulation move
Observers say the American government’s move toward deregulation could have sweeping consequences for Canadians.
A new policy paper warns Canadian agriculture to prepare for changing U.S. domestic policies that seek efficiencies through deregulation.
The paper from Agri-Food Economic Systems said this could include food inspection.
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SaskPower: Prioritize safety this seeding season
As seeding season begins in Saskatchewan, SaskPower is reminding everyone to stay safe when working near power lines.
Last year, there were 262 farm-related incidents involving power infrastructure, a slight decrease from 268 in 2023, according to SaskPower. Most of these incidents occurred in the spring.
"Safety at SaskPower is our number one priority. So, if we can share the message with farmers and other large equipment operators working in the fields this spring, we're absolutely happy to do it," said Scott McGregor, spokesperson with SaskPower.
Nitrogen demand soars while supply shrinks
Strong nitrogen fertilizer demand is butting up against tight supplies in some regions of the world, says an analyst.
India is the world’s top importer of the product.
Indian urea demand surged to 38.8 million tonnes in 2024-25, an eight per cent increase over the previous year, according to Argus Media.
That was due in part to tight supplies of diammonium phosphate (DAP) fertilizer during the winter (rabi) crop season.