Ag News

A Government of Canada report from December 2020 continues to be a heated topic of discussion for farmers, due to its stated goal to lower fertilizer emissions by 30.

"(This plan will) set a national emission reduction target of 30% below 2020 levels from fertilizers and work with fertilizer manufacturers, farmers, provinces and territories, to develop an approach to meet it," reads the report.

A Government of Canada report from December 2020 continues to be a heated topic of discussion for farmers, due to its stated goal to lower fertilizer emissions by 30.

"(This plan will) set a national emission reduction target of 30% below 2020 levels from fertilizers and work with fertilizer manufacturers, farmers, provinces and territories, to develop an approach to meet it," reads the report.

The Manitoba government has introduced amendments to the Animal Care Act that it says would streamline and enhance the process for appeals brought before the Animal Care Appeal Board, Agriculture Minister Derek Johnson announced. 

McCain Foods is making a $600 million investment in its operation at Coaldale.

The expansion will create two new state-of-the-art production lines and will double the size of its facility and output creating 260 new jobs. 

Max Koeune, President & Chief Executive Officer says the expansion in Alberta marks the largest global investment in the company's 65-year history.

Agriculture Minister Derek Johnson says the amendments would streamline and enhance the process for appeals brought before the Animal Care Appeal Board.

“Everyone benefits when the well-being of animals is respected,” said Johnson. “The ethically sound treatment of animals is a priority for citizens and society as a whole, is good business practice and is an essential part of modern agriculture. These amendments align with our government’s commitment to protect the welfare of animals and to enforce compliance with an acceptable standard for their care.”

Total cattle marketings in Manitoba for March 3rd to the 9th show 11,018 head of cattle moved through the province's four main auction marts.

Feeder steer prices ranged from an average of $335.38 cwt for the 401 to 500 pound weight category to $220.94 for the 901+ category.

Feeder heifer prices ranged from an average of $270.94 cwt for the 401 to 500 pound weight category to $187.13 for the 901+ category.

D1-D2 cows in Manitoba increased $8.64 to average at $115.36 cwt, D3 slaughter cows increased $7.70 for an average of $98.00 cwt.

Farm Credit Canada's Farmland Values Report shows the average national value of cultivated farmland increased by 12.8 per cent in 2022. 

Farmland values saw the highest increase since 2014 and follow gains of 8.3 per cent in 2021, and 5.4 per cent in 2020.

FCC's chief economist J.P. Gervais says it's all about supply and demand as higher farm revenues are driving the demand for farmland.

Stats show that receipts of grains, oilseeds and pulses increased 18.3 per cent in 2022, and are projected to grow 9.4 per cent in 2023.

The information gathered in this report is based on conditions as they were on March 1, 2023.

CN's assistant vice president of grain David Przednowek says they set a new record for grain shipments out of Western Canada in February. 

"We shipped 2.4 million tonnes of grain and processed grain products during the month. Volumes that we shipped by container, of course, in addition to that. The previous record best February was 2.2 million tons back in February 2021."

He says within the month of February, they had three weeks in a row, grain shipment weeks 27-28-29. where they actually set individual records for those shipment weeks.

Cropportunities 2023 is set to go Tuesday, March 14th in Swift Current

The annual event is co-sponsored by Wheatland Conservation Area, the Ministry of Agriculture and Pioneer Co-op Agro.

Crops extension specialist Shannon Chant says it's great to be back with an in-person event this year.

The opportunity to network is key, being able to see and talk with speakers, trade show vendors and other producers is always beneficial.

Chant says once again they have a great lineup of speakers and some key information to share.