Ag News

Manitoba's potato farmers have started with major harvesting this week.

Vikram Bisht is an Industry Development Specialist with Manitoba Agriculture.

The USDA released a bullish September WASDE (World Agricultural Supply & Demand Estimates) report on Monday.

Dan Basse is president of AgResource Company in Chicago.

Farmers that signed up for the Canadian Grain Commission's Harvest Sample program should have received their harvest kit in the mail. 

Kerri Pleskash is the CGC's Program Manager of Analytic Services at the Grain Research Lab.

This year they sent out  5600 harvest sample kits to producers in Western Canada.

Pleskash says under the program producers send in a grain sample after harvest for inspection.

With the possibility of rain later this week, farmers have been pushing to get as many acres harvested as they can.

Justine Cornelsen, Agronomic & Regulatory Services Manager with BrettYoung, gave an update on the canola harvest.

A new report released from Fertilizer Canada and the Canola Council of Canada (CCC) shows Canada can continue to increase crop yields while significantly reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from fertilizer application using available tools and technology.

The Saskatchewan Cattlemen's Association welcomed its new Chief Executive Officer on Monday.

Grant McLellan takes on the role from Ryder Lee who has moved into his new role as the new General Manager of the Canadian Cattle Association.

McLellan is looking forward to his new role, noting that agriculture has always been in his roots.

"I grew up on the family farm just outside of Holdfast, Saskatchewan. We lived in town, but our farm was not far away. A grain operation and my mom's side had cattle (Hereford) and my uncle had a Hereford operation as well. "

The USDA released a bullish September WASDE (World Agricultural Supply & Demand Estimates) report on Monday.

Dan Basse is president of AgResource Company in Chicago.

The Alberta Crop Report shows harvest is now about 37 per cent complete, up from 17 per cent the previous week. Another 19 per cent of crops are currently in swath, while 44 per cent is still standing.

Grasshoppers continue to be an issue for farmers as they bring in the harvest.

The Province's Insect Pest Management Specialist James Tansey says producers put down multiple sprays this year in an effort to try and control them.

"They really liked the warm, dry conditions that we've seen across much of the province. What's a bit of a downside to the continued activity and continued feeding of course is going to be the continued egg laying as these warm dry conditions continue."

The Bank of Canada announced this week an increase to its policy interest rate of 75 basis points to 3.25%, as it continues to address inflation.

FCC Chief Economist JP Gervais talked about the impact on farmers.