The Western Canadian Crop Production Show opens today at Prairieland Park
Farmers from across the province are heading to Saskatoon this week for the Sask Crops meetings.
Producers taking part in the meetings at Prairieland Park can also take in the Western Canadian Crop Production Show presented by Farm Credit Canada.
Prairieland's Agriculture Manager, Leigh Ann Hurlburt says this year marks the show's 40th anniversary, with ten exhibitors being recognized for their dedication.
The Western Canadian Crop Production Show officially opens at 12 pm today.
Applications now open for Protein Industries Canada's Artificial Intelligence Program
Protein Industries Canada (PIC) will start accepting "expression of interest" applications today for its new Artificial Intelligence Program.
The industry continues to see a need for the adoption and use of artificial intelligence with its growth in Canada's plant-based food, feed and ingredients sector.
The program was launched in 2022 and is focused on working with agri-food companies in the development of AI technology for their business.
The first round of applications saw a steady flow of intake, and projects which are currently under review for approval.
Farmers should look at developing an integrated weed management system
Farmers are busy reviewing seed test results and finalizing their cropping plans for the spring.
A key issue during the growing season is always weed control and its always important to pencil in some reserves just in case.
Weed Control Specialist Clark Brenzil says when thinking about weed control it's important to develop an integrated weed management system.
"Integrated weed management is the utilization of a broad range of agronomic practices in order to achieve your goal of weed control. Essentially it doesn't rely on any single one practice."
Sask Crop AGM's begin Monday in Saskatoon
Getting the latest information is always key as farmers finalize this years cropping plans.
Farmers planning on taking in the Sask Crops Annual General Meetings next week can attend in person or by ZOOM.
This year's event will run January 9th through 12th in person at Prairieland Park.
You can register for one or more meetings as a voting member based on each organization's regulations.
SaskCanola and SaskFlax have announced a new management collaboration
The two groups are now operating out of one office in Saskatoon.
The Saskatchewan Canola Development Commission and the Saskatchewan Flax Development Commission have announced a new management collaboration.
The move will mean efficiencies for both crop commissions by providing a full staff complement to support both Boards.
SaskCanola and SaskFlax will maintain individual Boards of Directors and separate governance structures.
Greg Sundquist, Board Chair of SaskFlax says they are excited about the opportunities this arrangement brings to oilseed growers.
Expanding the agri-food industry is a priority on the prairies
The start of the new year is an opportunity to set new goals.
For the agriculture ministers in the prairies, investment and expanding the agri-food industry are top priorities.
Manitoba's Agriculture Minister Derek Johnson says by 2025 they're hoping to have $1.5 billion of investments and 1550 jobs added to the province, and he feels their protein strategy will be a key contributor.
Affordability is the key focus for 2023
Conservative Shadow Critic for Agriculture, Agri-Food and Food Security John Barlow says their leader Pierre Poilievre has been talking about that on an ongoing basis.
He notes we also need to see affordability for the ag sector, adding there's a great deal of optimism, but producers need to be able to reach that potential.
To clean or not to clean
Farmers are busy pencilling out the numbers for the upcoming crop season.
In an effort to try and reduce costs many producers use farm-saved seed or bin-run seed from the previous crop.
Producers that are looking at doing this are now deciding whether or not to have the seed cleaned.
Crops extension specialist Mackenzie Hladun submitted the following article on the topic.
Ottawa's fertilizer emissions reduction target remains a key priority in 2023
The federal government's fertilizer emissions reduction target is expected to remain a key issue in 2023.
Last year, Federal Agriculture Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau announced a "fertilizer emissions reduction target" of 30 per cent by 2030.
That news raised a lot of concern with farmers as to just what that would mean, and if it could eventually result in a fertilizer ban.
Bibeau says the focus is on emissions, adding they are absolutely not against fertilizer use.
Top Ag stories of 2022
As we wind down 2022, West Central Online will be focusing on the top stories of the year. Today we focus on the top ag stories of the year. Here as a breakdown.