Farmers now have access to a new disease monitoring website specific to issues on the Prairies


Farmers now have access to a new disease monitoring website specific to issues on the Prairies.

The Prairie Crop Disease Monitoring Network (PCDMN) launched its new website at "prairiecropdisease.blogdpot.com.".

The PCDMN is a coordinated field crop disease monitoring program for the Prairies, focusing on providing timely information about crop diseases and highlighting effective disease management strategies.

CN rail is reporting strong grain movement in June

CN's Assistant Vice-President of Grain, David Przednowek says they saw strong movement early in June.

"We're about a half million tonnes of processed grain products shipped in week 45, pushing 550,000 tonnes in week 46."

He points out that compared to historical levels, those are both pretty strong weeks. 

Przednowek says going forward into July, he expects to see a slowdown in grain movement as a number of the export terminals and canola processing plants start their maintenance shutdowns.

2024 inductees selected for Canadian Agricultural Hall of Fame

Four agricultural champions from across Canada have been selected by the Canadian Agricultural Hall of Fame as its 2024 inductees. Dr. Bruce Coulman, Dr. Michael Eskin, Paul Larmer and Dr. Charles Vincent will be formally inducted on November 2 at a ceremony during the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair in Toronto, Ontario.

"I would love to have this rainfall if we could just match it with some heat," Scott Chalmers

"It's like we're the doormat of Manitoba," says Scott Chalmers from the Melita area. "Every storm seems to come through the Souris River and enter the province, at least the big ones anyway."

As an Applied Research Specialist with Manitoba Agriculture, Chalmers keeps his eyes on the skies watching for the next system that's developing in Saskatchewan or North Dakota making its way east. 

Crop Report shows rainfall improving livestock water supplies

Frequent rainfall and excess moisture have resulted in one per cent of the acres in the province going unseeded.

Crops extension specialist Meghan Rosso says overall, the rain is supporting crop growth in the majority of regions across the province, but there is some crop stress occurring in the northern regions from excess moisture.

"Currently, three per cent of land is flooded and unlikely to produce a crop, one per cent of forage crops have excess moisture and are unlikely to produce a crop."

Some crops have been struggling with the excess moisture

Farmers have been dealing with a real mix of weather this year, from isolated heavy rains, to strong winds, hail and even a few tornado sightings. 

Anne Kirk, the Cereal Crop Specialist with Manitoba Agriculture, says its been fairly wet in many areas of the province.

The weekly crop report shows peak wind speeds at the Manitoba Agriculture Weather Station at Rivers  hit 113 km/hr on June 12. Precipitation for the past seven days ranged from 7.8 mm to 54.8 mm (Table 1)

Province reminds the public about important hay salvage deadlines

Today, the Government of Saskatchewan reminded farmers and ranchers about some key dates as the annual highways hay salvage and ditch mowing clips along for the season.

Landowners or lessees adjacent to a highway ditch have the first option to cut or bale free hay prior to and including July 8.

After July 8 anyone may cut or bale material without the permission of the nearby landowner or lessee, as long as the same activity or mowing is not underway.

Grain Growers ask farmers and consumers to help protect the family farm

Prairie farmers are being encouraged to let their thoughts be known on the impact the changes to the Capital Gains will have on their operations when it comes into effect June 25th.

The Grain Growers of Canada have set up a site "protectfamilyfarms.ca"  for people to sign a petition and register to email their MP on the damage  Ottawa's proposed changes will have on family farms.

The Canadian Cattle Young Leaders Program announce 2024-2025 semi-finalists

The Canadian Cattle Association’s (CCA) Canadian Cattle Young Leaders (CYL) Program is pleased to announce its semi-finalists for the upcoming 2024-2025 program year.

Established by CCA in 2010, the Canadian CYL Program welcomes young people ages 18-35 from across Canada involved in all areas of the beef supply chain. The Canadian CYL Program aims to build the next generation of industry leaders by providing unique mentorship, training, and professional and personal development opportunities in the Canadian beef industry.

Market remains strong for cattle producers heading into summer months

The Manitoba Livestock Marketing Association (MLMA) is pleased to see the strong cattle market continue into the summer months.

Executive Administrator, Rick Wright, says butcher cows are exceptionally strong.  "We're seeing them at the $1.80 to $2 range for cull cows, that's the record that I've seen.  I've never seen them that high in all the years that I've been in business."