Ag News

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has released its latest livestock feed guidance update, noting that gene-edited crops are safe for livestock feed. 

Krista Thomas, Vice President of Trade Policy, Seed Innovation, for the Canada Grains Council, says Health Canada and the CFIA have now answered longstanding calls from the seed and grain sectors for predictable, clear, and consistent policies for gene-edited crops.

She says this opens up incredible opportunities for innovation within the grain sector.

The University of Manitoba will receive over $835 thousand from the Western Grains Research Foundation (WGRF) over the next five years for the renewal of two technician positions in the Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences. 

Dean Martin Scanlon says the department's work focuses principally on crops and cropping systems.

The moisture over the last few weeks is a welcome sight for farmers and ranchers as they focus on seeding this year's crop.

The additional precipitation will help to replenish soil moisture and dugouts while helping to boost pasture growth.

For producers looking at seeding forages this spring, the Forage U-Pick Seed Rate Calculator is a valuable tool available through your provincial forage associations or the Beef Research Council website.

Farmers have been facing increased costs as they work on putting this year's crop in the ground.

Protecting that crop through the growing season, whether from weeds, insects, pests, disease, or the weather.

Some meteorologists are forecasting a wetter spring and summer, which is good news for many drought impacted areas across the Prairies, but can also mean an increased potential for severe thunderstorms and hail.

Ag Direct Hail's Executive Vice President, Bruce Lowe, says when you move from West to East on the Prairies, the incidence of hail goes down.

Tame forage lands are plotted, seeded, and managed for grass and legume species. Establishing tame forage is an investment that requires thoughtful long-term planning, preparation, and regular maintenance. The establishment of the forage stand is central to the stand’s productivity and its sustainability. In Saskatchewan, establishment recommendations, including seeding rates, vary by soil zone (brown, dark brown, black or grey). Different equipment can be used depending on the species and soil type.  

Canadians should be reassured that commercially sold milk and milk products remain safe.

Over the last few weeks, some dairy cattle in the U.S. have tested positive for the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) with some fragments being detected in milk.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced the results of a new study last week that shows that the pasteurization of dairy products effectively inactivates the virus that causes HPAI, even when fragments of the virus remain.

The Teamsters Canada Rail Conference announced the results of its strike vote this week, with 98 percent of members voting in favor of a strike mandate.

Negotiations have been taking place this week with CPKC for its Train and Engine, and Rail Traffic Controllers

In a statement on the CPKC website they emphasize that they don't want to see a work stoppage and remain focused on reaching a balanced and responsible agreement through the collective bargaining process.

Saskatchewan's efforts to rebuild a strong working relationship with India seems to be paying off.

This week, the province announced that India will provide full diplomatic accreditation for the Managing Director of the Saskatchewan India office.  

Saskatchewan opened a trade and investment office in New Delhi in 2020 and has seen a strong trading relationship.

Last fall, 41 Canadian diplomatic staff, including the province's representative, were required to leave the country after diplomatic relations between Canada and India deteriorated.

The company opening its newly expanded facility in Nisku.

Earlier this year, we told you the company had qualified for Alberta's Agri-Processing Investment Tax Credit and was granted a conditional approval for a tax credit of up to nearly $1.3 million.

The program provides a 12% non-refundable tax credit when corporations invest $10 million or more in a project to build or expand a value-added agri-processing facility in Alberta. 

Agriculture Minister RJ Sigurdson congratulating the company on it's new facility.

There are currently 51 water shortage advisories in place in Alberta for select water management areas.

The recent snowfall and moisture have been a welcome sight, and there is growing optimism with long-range forecasts calling for a wetter Spring and Summer, but there is no guarantee.

Rebecca Schulz, Minister of Environment and Protected Areas, says we must remain prepared for drought now and into the future.

"Alberta’s Drought Response Plan is foundational to that work and will help our province respond to all levels of drought for years to come."