Ag News

Canada needs flexible, farmer-driven standards to guide regenerative agriculture, experts say

With producer and policy interest in regenerative agriculture growing across Canada, policymakers and industry leaders are debating how to standardize the concept without undermining its core principles or grassroots appeal.

Questions around standardization and regulation were front and centre during an April 30 webinar hosted by the Canadian Agri-Food Policy Institute.

Alberta's latest crop report shows seeding of major crops is significantly ahead of historical averages. Manglai, product coordinator with Alberta Financial Services Corporation, who helps compile the report, says seeding is now at 47 per cent, well above the five-year average of 26 per cent and the ten-year average of 29 per cent.

Breaking down the regional analysis, the South region leads with 76 per cent of seeding completed, followed by the Central region at 51 per cent  the Northeast at 37 per cent, the Northwest at 29 per cent, and the Peace region at 27 per cent.

The Manitoba government has announced a $1 million partnership to enhance veterinary care services in northern and remote communities, which will include mobile spay and neuter services. Agriculture Minister Ron Kostitsyn emphasized that this funding is a step in the right direction to ensure every animal receives timely and compassionate care.

Three auctioneers from Gladstone Auction Mart walked away with major accolades at the 2025 Canadian Livestock Auctioneering Championships, held May 9 at Heartland Livestock Services in Virden, Manitoba.

The event brought together 39 of the best auctioneers from across Canada as part of the Livestock Markets Association of Canada’s annual convention.

Tyler Slawinski earns Reserve Champion title

Tyler Slawinski, head auctioneer at Gladstone Auction Mart and longtime competitor, placed as Reserve Champion—his best finish yet after more than a decade of competing.

The 2025 Livestock Markets Association of Canada Convention was held in Brandon from May 8 to 11th. The Canadian Livestock Auctioneering Championships is held in conjunction with the Livestock Marketing Assocation of Canada (LMAC) event. The host market this year was Heartland Livestock Services in Virden with the auctioneering championships held on Friday, May 9th.

The event brought 39 of Canada’s top auctioneers from BC to Quebec auctioning off 5111 head of cattle, for total sales over $16.8 million.

The Man/Sask Auctioneering championships took place on Friday, May 9th at the Virden Heartland Livestock where 13 of the best livestock auctioneers vied for top award over-all.

Killarney Auction Mart's Allan Munroe claimed that top spot this year!

This week, Saskatchewan's Lieutenant Governor Bernadette McIntyre had the honor of meeting King Charles III for the first time at Buckingham Palace. Accompanied by her husband and the Executive Director for the Office of the Lieutenant Governor, Carolyn Speirs, McIntyre also enjoyed high tea at Canada House with High Commissioner Ralph Goodale and his wife, Pam Goodale.

Speaking to us from London her Honour says being able to meet and visit with the King was an amazing experience.

The Municipal District of Taber administers public land that had been previously turned over to it by the Alberta government.

Alberta municipal leaders are eyeing the Municipal District of Taber as it grapples with striking the right balance between stewardship and the responsibility of raising an appropriate amount of revenue for its agricultural lands on behalf of ratepayers.

BASF Agricultural Solutions Canada recently announced the 12 organizations that will each receive a portion of the $160,000 Growing Home with BASF prize fund. 

Following a competitive public voting period, the first, second, and third-place winners have been determined for Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Ontario.

Organizations that finish in first place will receive a $25,000 donation and have the opportunity to celebrate their win with the local community; second place will receive $10,000, and third place will receive $5,000. 

Land grant universities mainly handle extension work in the United States; in Canada, it’s described as more of a ‘mish-mash’

WINNIPEG — Canada’s system of getting the latest and most useful information to farmers is very different from what happens in the United States.

South of the border, there are more than 200 land grant universities across the U.S.

All universities teach students and do research, but land grant universities have a third mission — extension.