FCC and Regina Food Bank initiative to introduce containerized growing for food baks

An initiative between Farm Credit Canada and the Regina Food Bank has introduced some new technology that will help with the food bank's needs.

The FCC supplied them with a containerized grower, a unit that can grow certain vegetables in a controlled environment that can be set up anywhere.

Regina Food Bank President John Bailey talks about the new unit and how it'll help the food bank.

Saskatchewan announces findings on herbicide use for woody rangeland species

Saskatchewan's Ministry of Agriculture is letting producers know a recent result of a study that could change how producers use herbicides on shrubs.

In 2019, the government looked to demonstrate and compare two chemical control options in southwest Saskatchewan to control the encroachment of a pair of woody species on rangeland: Western snowberry (Buck brush) and Wolf Willow.

To do that, they applied 2 herbicides on July 11, 2019:

- Reclaim II ‘A’ at 81 g per acre, plus Reclaim II ‘B’ at 0.69 L per acre,

Seeding progress continues in latest Manitoba crop report

Manitoba has farmers in the fields looking to seed before the season's over, with progress trailing closely behind the five-year average.

The latest crop report Is summing up that progress, along with giving a look at current moisture levels.

Provincial Pulse and Soybean Specialists for Manitoba Agriculture and editor of the provincial crop report Dennis Legue talks about the progress farmers are making.

Canadian Foodgrains Bank adopting new program to unite urban and rural efforts

The Canadian Foodgrains Bank is looking to test out a new program that they're hoping will unite urban resources and rural farming to better stock Canadian foodbanks.

Grow Hope Saskatchewan will look to unite the two sectors to increase the amount of food grown and help the two sectors of Canada connect.

Rick Block, a Saskatchewan representative for the Canadian Foodgrains Bank, gives an overview of the program.

Cattle market report sees more rises than falls for weekly prices

Manitoba weekly auction mart report showed that last week feeder steer prices rose, ranging from an average of $450.88 per cwt for the 401 to 500-pound weights to $319.58 per cwt for the 801 to 900-pound category.  The biggest drop of $9.17 per cwt came in the 901+ weight category dropping to an average of $275.33 per cwt, the biggest increase of $16.18 per cwt was in the 401-500 pound category for an average of $450.88.

Saskatchewan looking to improve efficiency with Livestock Facility Emissions Program

The Saskatchewan government is looking to get producers on board with their new Livestock Facility Emissions Program.

That's being offered under the suite of programs part of the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership.

This program offers support to the intensive hog and sheep industries with a main goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by increasing efficiency or replacing energy sources reliant on fossil fuels in existing facilities.

There's also funding available to enhance and optimize environmental efficiency with liquid manure management.

Alberta sees good precipitation followed by constant seeding progress

The Alberta Crop Report, reporting up to May 14, shows that significant precipitation fell in the majority of areas in the South, Central, and North East regions near the start of the month.

Despite creating seeding delays, the precipitation was welcomed by producers and has notably improved growing conditions. Areas in the Peace and North West regions received significantly lower or no rainfall last week allowing seeding progress to continue uninterrupted.

Crop pest numbers chilled by lower temperatures ahead of summer

Insects in the prairies are getting ready to jump into fields and potentially damage crops this summer once conditions warm.

Some of the most damaging insects, such as grasshoppers and flea beetles, have yet to emerge this year in many areas of the prairies as it's been too cold.

While recent rain has also affected crops, those insects are unbothered, explains Research Scientist with Agriculture and Agri-food Canada Meghan Vankosky.

PAMI receives $5 million investment through federal and provincial program

Prairie Agricultural Machinery Institute (PAMI), with head offices in Humboldt, has received $5 million in funding over five years following an announcement on May 14 by federal Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister Lawrence MacAulay and Saskatchewan Agriculture Minister David Marit.  

New AI project to focus on herbicide-resistant weeds

Protein Industries Canada has announced a new project focusing on the spread of herbicide-resistant weeds in Canada.

The project will focus on the development of an AI-powered early detection system.

Founder and CEO of Precision AI Dan McCann says by using AI to detect resistance early and provide precision herbicide application, we have a realistic path to reducing or even eliminating resistant strains in Canada.