Ag News

Western provinces are concerned about a federal regulatory agency’s decision that could have a detrimental effect on crops. The Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) has changed approved uses of lambda-cyhalothrin, used in the control of grasshoppers and flea beetles. The regulatory body dictates that the product can’t be used on crops that will be used as livestock feed, and as a result, manufacturers have ceased distributing their product in western Canada. 

The province's $4 billion water management infrastructure was announced back in 2020.

The Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities would like to hear an update on what's going on.

SARM's President Ray Orb says after some very hard years of drought, producers, rural communities and RM's would see some benefits from the construction and added irrigation.

He says the project could more than double the irrigated land in the province, not only opening new farmland to consistent water supplies but also facilitating industrial and potash mining operations.

Managing cash flow on a farm or ranching operation can be a real challenge.

As a result, many farmers use the Federal Government’s Cash Advance Program in the Spring to access cash and have more flexibility in their marketing plan.

Under the program, farmers can apply for a cash advance on over 50 commodities including everything from field crops to livestock, honey and organic production.

Producers can apply for the Federal Cash Advance Program through the Canadian Canola Growers Association.

A young girl trying to educate people on agriculture seems to have won her battle with YouTube.

"Learning About Ag With Mady" relates life on the family farm at Kindersley.

Ten-year-old Mady started her own YouTube channel last year in an effort to help educate people on where their food comes from.

"I recently had a video taken down by YouTube. As you know I participate in and share about farming practices on our farm always learning alongside an adult ensuring everyone's safety."

During the trip 26 Canadian representatives met with more than 220 current and potential customers in Japan, Malaysia, and Vietnam.

Brian Innes, Executive Director with Soy Canada says there’s nothing like being face-to-face to share and understand how we deliver value for our customers.

"The enthusiasm we saw this year shows the value of our market development investment and how we can grow the value of our industry in the future."

Participants Soy Canada heard firsthand the quality specifications customers are looking for when purchasing soybeans.

Richardson ground squirrels or gophers can be a major problem for farmers and ranchers.

The adults tend to emerge in early Spring as the temperature warms up and they are only above ground for about four months.

Saskatchewan's insect and vertebrate pest management specialist Dr. James Tansey says the males tend to appear two weeks before the females, and it's the adult females that you really want to target prior to the litters.

The Manitoba Organic Development Fund has announced its first set of grants through their new organic farm check-off program.

In 2023 over $50 thousand dollars is being awarded to five different projects.

The first three grants will be delivered through the Manitoba Organic Alliance.

The first project will see $20,000 with matching funds, for the creation of a Digital Marketing Tool and the hiring of a market analyst for one year to help farmers navigate the organic grain market. 

Oleh His marches with pride and purpose in rain-soaked mud through row upon row of large white polyethylene bags, each stamped with a Canadian logo and filled to bursting with this year's harvest of grain.

The 24-year-old grain farmer with a slight build, fair hair and braces is also a volunteer with the Ukrainian military. He splits his time between running the family farm and sourcing money and supplies for the front.

When Russia invaded Ukraine last year, His knew right away he would have a problem.

The Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities (SARM), alongside their member RM's, shared their concerns over the ongoing lack of rural healthcare support, job retention, recruitment and operating facilities. 

Joan Hardy is CP's vice president of sales and marketing for grain and fertilizer.

She says they attribute that to the efficiency and effectiveness of their customers, supply chains, and the infrastructure that they have built and developed.

"Also to our own operating model and our focus on moving grain. So in January, we moved 2.29 million metric tons of Canadian grain and grain products, so that was a new record. And, in fact, we've moved now crop year to date, more than 15 million metric tons of Canadian grain and grain products."