Ag News

Today marks the start of Canada's Farm Show.

Farm Show Manager Jeanine Nazarchuk says the show has been around for 46 years and is probably one of the most well known farm shows in Canada and really across North America. 

The three day event, June 18–20, at REAL District in Regina showcases the latest in farm equipment and technology, with 250 exhibitors on the grounds.

She notes that they pride themselves on bringing in really cutting edge exhibitors and knowledgeable speakers who really feature new innovations and product launches.

The Canadian Cattle Association (CCA) is pleased with the changes the federal government has made to the Livestock Tax Deferral (LTD) program.

Changes included adding a buffer zone to tthe LTD designated regions and RM's to ensure impacted producers will be eligible.

This year's program includes some areas in Saskatchewan and Manitoba, with the majority of Alberta listed under the program.

Doug Roxburgh is a CCA director and vice-chair of Alberta Beef with a cow-calf operation at Rimbey.

The Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan has released its 2024 Farmers and Food Prices Report. 

The APAS report shows a concerning trend: farmers are receiving lower prices for their commodities, while consumers are paying more at the grocery store.

President Ian Boxall says the disparity between the farmer's portion and retail prices highlights a broken system that fails both producers and consumers.

Cattle producers from across the province have a chance to learn more about the work being done at the University of Saskatchewan's Livestock and Forage Centre of Excellence (LFCE).

LFCE's annual summer field day runs tomorrow at Clavet, with registration running from 8 to 9 a.m., followed by a full day of activity.

Participants will have the opportunity to visit field plots and animal sites to see the latest in research activities, from forage development and grazing management to environmental sustainability, animal health, growth, and productivity.

Federal Agriculture Minister Lawrence MacAulay has announced an early list of Livestock Tax Deferral regions for 2024.

This year, the Government has streamlined the process to identify regions earlier in the growing season, and has included a new buffer zone adjacent to the designated regions to capture impacted producers that may be on the edge of affected areas.

This year, the majority of Alberta falls into either the designated or buffered designated regions.

The Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) and the Customs and Immigration Union (CIU) have reached tentative agreements with the Treasury Board and the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA).

A media release from  PSAC notes that the agreement, representing over 9000 CBSA members was reached after nine days of around-the-clock negotiations.

The new four-year agreement running until June 2026 includes a total compounded wage increase of 15.7 per cent, enhanced protections relative to technological changes, and better shift scheduling and leave provisions. 

The numbers are in Cargill Case Ready workers  (members of the United Food and Commercial Workers Union Local 401) have voted 100 per cent in favor of a strike.

The Calgary based plant produces counter ready meat from Cargill's beef plant at High River cutting, weighing and packaging it for retail.

Key issues in the negotiations focus around income security, overtime and a lack of guaranteed hours.

The union - UFCW Local 401 - has applied to the Provincial Government for secondary picketing at every Wal-Mart, Sobeys and Loblaws location in Alberta.

The Canadian Cattle Association and Canadian Cattle Youth Council are concerned with Ottawa's plans to push through capital gains changes.

The proposed changes would see the lifetime capital gains exemption increase from $1 million to $1.25 million, while the capital gains tax, which is paid after that, change from 50 per cent to 67 per cent.

Canadian Cattle Youth Council President Scott Gerbrandt says they are concerned about the proposed increase and what it could mean for family farms.

The province originally announced plans for the Saskatchewan Marshals Service in November 2022, with legislation laying the foundation for the new police service being introduced on November 7, 2023.

Chief Marshal Rob Cameron was hired a few weeks later and comes to the job with an extensive career in law enforcement.

Following his retirement from the RCMP, he served as the province's executive director of policing and, in 2019, was appointed as the assistant deputy minister for policing and community safety services.

Cattle producers across the Prairies still have time to purchase calf insurance under the Livestock Price Insurance program. 

The program allows producers to manage their risk by providing protection against unexpected drops in prices over a defined period of time.

Saskatchewan's program coordinator, Jodie Griffin, says the calf price insurance deadline is Thursday, June 13th for producers in Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta.

She notes they've seen a lot of interest in the calf program and strong interest in the feeder program as well.