Ag News

2022 was a year with a lot of gains made by cattle producers, though some losses were seen in some areas.

The Canadian Cattlemen's Association says that the overall higher levels of moisture helped cattle out in many areas of the prairies, though some areas weren't ideal.

President Nathan Phinney says that 2022 brought a bit of even ground for cattle producers.

2022 brought some moisture benefits for farmers, while also introducing a whole host of other benefits and issues across the prairies.

In Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba, many areas either saw too much rain, continued with drought, or managed to get right into the middle sweet spot.

The year has been one which had governments on the edge of their seats to see how crops and farmers would fare.

Manitoba Agriculture Minister Darren Johnson said that more moisture helped some farmers while hindering others.

Coming out a year with extreme drought, grain growers in Canada were in a delicate situation.

2022, while bringing both good and bad for farmers, seems to have progressed relatively well for many farmers.

That's the thoughts of Brandon Leslie, the manager of policy and government relations for the Grain Growers of Canada.

It should come as no surprise that over time pastures and hay yields can start to decline.

There are a number of reasons for that decline from nitrogen loss, to environmental conditions like drought, low-productivity soils or grazing management strategies.

With the rising costs of land and fertilizer prices, climate conditions and more, it's important for producers to recover the productivity of the land.

A University of Saskatchewan graduate student is looking for information on cougars. 

Tammie Windsor is attempting to get an accurate count of cougars, their location and travelling patterns.

She's hoping to hear from farmers and ranchers on any cougar sightings, or signs that they have been in the area such as scat, tracks, dead deer or livestock.

"Even if they've seen something like five or ten years ago that's still important, because that can tell me how cougars might be moving across the landscape over time."

The Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association's seventh annual Beef Drive for the Food Banks of Saskatchewan is underway. 

Under the program, cattle producers donate an animal which is then processed and delivered to Food Banks across the province.

SSGA president Garner Deobald says the food banks rely on the people of Saskatchewan to help out their neighbours.

"We're happy to pitch in and do our bit. This is something our members can do to help make sure people have enough good food to eat."

The House of Common's is on their winter break with MP's back in their riding.

John Barlow, the Conservative Shadow Minister for Agriculture and Agri-Food says it was a busy session from getting the Liberals to back down on front of package labelling to getting Bill C234 through committee.

The Canadian Cattle Association and the Canadian Roundtable for Sustainable Beef were official observers for the Canadian delegation during the recent COP15 meetings in Montreal.

They point out that in Canada, beef cattle production is an effective way to conserve grasslands, sequester carbon, and enhance biodiversity. 

Much of the focus of COP15 was placed on the adoption of the ‘Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF)’- a landmark decision that will shape the future of biodiversity conservation. 

Federal Agriculture Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau has named Justine Hendricks as the next President and Chief Executive Officer for Farm Credit Canada.

Hendricks moves into the role after serving as Chief Corporate Sustainability Officer and Senior Vice-President, Sustainable Business and Enablement with Export Development Canada.

FCC Board Chairperson Jane Halford says Justine has significant experience in the financial industry and in leading teams that serve exporters and investors in a wide range of sectors, including agriculture.

A key highlight for the Agriculture sector in 2022 was the agreement around the new five year Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (S-CAP).

Federal Agriculture Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau says she was pleased that she was able to reach an agreement with her Provincial and Territorial counterparts.