Ag News

Saskatchewan auction marts saw one of their busiest weeks in a long time last week. 

Canfax reported 40,520 head of feeder cattle moved through the auction ring, more than double the 17,446 animals sold in the previous week.

Provincial Cattle Specialist Fonda Froats says marketings in 2022 are still 17 per cent lower than in 2021.

She says this year is more typical of a fall run, with more pre-sort calf sales taking place.

Feeder steer and heifer prices were mixed across all weight categories.

The Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) announced a major fundraising campaign to conserve a key piece of property near Waterton Lakes National Park.

Tom Lynch-Staunton, Alberta's Vice-President of NCC says they've been working on the Yarrow project for about 15 years.

The land covers 4,077 acres and is home to 27 different wildlife species of provincial or national significance.

The Yarrow was bought by Charlie Fischer who was interested in conservation and sustainable ranching. 

Canada is the world's leading exporter of durum wheat, a crop grown in southwest Saskatchewan, and southeast Alberta.

Over the last five years over 23 million tonnes of Canadian durum have been exported to 49 countries including the U-S.

The major durum-consuming markets for Canadian durum are countries like Italy, Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia.

Durum is traditionally used in the production of pasta and couscous. 

For most of Saskatchewan and Alberta that moisture came in the form of snow, while much of Manitoba saw rain.

Parts of West Central Saskatchewan reported light snow that melted fairly quickly.

Swift Current, Moose Jaw and other areas in southern Saskatchewan saw more significant amounts. 

Crops Extension Specialist Matt Struthers says with harvest pretty much wrapped up it's good to see the moisture.

"I think it's really great to see. Now, I would like to see some warmer temperatures just to get that snow to melt."

Cereals Canada recently launched the latest edition of the National Wheat Research Priorities with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC). 

The document provides a sharp vision and clear targets to guide research in the Canadian wheat industry for the next five years.

Krista Zuzak, Director of Crop Protection and Production with Cereals Canada says the reports focus on six main themes.

Premier Danielle Smith has announced her new cabinet. 

Smith was sworn in as Alberta's 19th Premier on October 11, 2022.

Smith has named Nate Horner as Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation.

Prior to his election in the Drumheller-Stettler riding in 2019,
Horner was a rancher with a cow-calf mixed faming operation.

Horner has served as Alberta's Agriculture Minister since November 5, 2021.

Assisting Horner on the Ag file will be Glenn Van Dijken who will serve as the Parliamentary Secretary for Agrifood Development.

The Grain Growers of Canada are partnering with Corteva Agriscience as they focus on the 'Road to 2050' climate initiative.

The 'Road to 2050' will propose a path forward that identifies opportunities for the sector to continue reducing its contributions to greenhouse gas emissions.
  
Bryce Eger, President of Corteva Agriscience Canada says they believe climate positive agriculture is the way forward, where collective actions and commitments create a stronger and more productive food system.

The Saskatchewan Cattlemen's Association has been connecting with producers on the road this week as part of the Fall District Meetings.

The last couple of meetings in the Southwest has seen some producers talking about the problems they've been experiencing with the ongoing drought conditions.

It's a situation the group's Vice-Chair Keith Day is all too familiar with ranching in the Lacadena area north of Swift Current.

He says where he grew up it's worse than it ever was in the 80s.

Delegates from Canada and the U-S, gathered in Mexico this week for the 31st Annual Tri-National Agricultural Accord.

Among the representatives from Canada, Manitoba's Agriculture Minister Derek Johnson, Saskatchewan Agriculture Minister David Marit and Senior Officials from Alberta's Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Economic Development.

Johnson says the meetings marked an opportunity for senior state and provincial officials to work collaboratively on agriculture and trade issues.

Dry weather through much of September and October allowed producers to effectively harvest their crops without major weather delays.