Ag News

The President of the Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan (APAS) Ian Boxall says we need to take a look at Canada's Supply Chain. 

The comment came after news that the Grains Workers Union Local 333 had issued a 72 hour strike notice to  the Vancouver Terminal Elevators Association (VTEA).

Members of the Grains Workers Union Local 333 were on the picket line at 7 am Pacific Time today at the Port of Vancouver.

Federal Labor Minister Steven Mackinnon says at his request both sides have agreed to resume negotiations alongside federal mediators.

The potential for a strike at the Port of Vancouver has become a reality.

Members of the Grains Workers Union Local 333 were on the picket line at 7 am Pacific Time today after issuing a 72 hour strike notice on the weekend.

The Union and the Vancouver Terminal Elevators Association have been unable to agree on a new contract. 

The walkout by more than 600 workers is impacting Viterra's Cascadia and Pacific Terminals, Richardson International Terminal, Cargill Limited Terminal, the G3 Vancouver Terminal and Alliance Grain Terminal.

The agriculture sector is bracing for another potential strike ... this time at the Port of Vancouver.

The Grain Workers Union Local 333 issued a 72 hour strike notice over the weekend, meaning we could see job action start as early as today (Tuesday, September 24).

The potential work stoppage would impact all shipments of bulk grain from the port, causing congestion right through the grain supply chain all the way back to the farmgate. 

Rail Safety Week in Canada is an annual event to raise awareness about rail safety. 

Operation Lifesaver and its partners are reminding everyone there is no "undo" button. 

This year's theme is there is no "undo" button... taking risks near tracks can change your life forever or cost you life and limb.

CPKC's Assistant Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Bulk Elizabeth Hucker 

Alberta's Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation has a call out for individuals interested in sitting on the Alberta Agricultural Products Marketing Council.

The Council provides regulatory oversight and governance for Alberta’s 19 agricultural Marketing Boards and Commissions (MCBs). 

Three positions are currently open on the marketing council with a term of up to three years.

According to the government website, the council has legislated responsibilities to:

Three positions on the Saskatchewan Pulse Growers Board of Directors have been filled. 

Shaun Dyrland of Kyle will continue into his third three-year term on the Board.  

Two new members will join the board in January Jim Hale of Lancer and Gerrid Gust of Davidson.

Board Chair Winston van Staveren says they are pleased to have Shaun return for another term and our
excited to welcome our new Directors noting each of the individuals brings valuable experience and knowledge to the board.

Fall is a critical period when it comes to managing winter hardiness or winterkill in alfalfa stands.

Range Management Specialist Trevor Lennox says alfalfa is thought of as queen of the forages.

"It's a very important forage, as a result, it's important to keep the stand as productive as possible."

He points out that when an alfalfa plant is cut, the initial regrowth that follows is produced from root reserves, as new leaves are developed, they begin to manufacture their own energy for growth.

CPKC's Assistant Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Bulk Elizabeth Hucker says the rail network has bounced back following last month's work stoppage but it will still take more time for supply chains to fully recover and car cycles to normalize.

She says since that work outage in grain shipping week 3 CPKC has seen a steady increase in demand for rail services to locations like Thunder Bay, Vancouver, Eastern Canada, the United States and Mexico.

Vetavision got underway Friday at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Saskatchewan.

The event which is open to the public wraps up on Saturday and features over 30 live animals.

Students organize the event to promote the College and the veterinary profession from large animal vets to small animal vets, radiologists, ophthalmologists, pathologists, rehabilitation experts, and more.

The event features 26 student displays plus numerous demonstrations.

Friday's Weekly Potato Report from Manitoba Agriculture noted that the potato harvest in the province is estimated at about 15 to 20 per cent complete, ranging from those who have yet to start to producers that now have over 50 per cent completed.

Potato & Horticulture Crops Pathologist Vikram Bisht says tuber set and size profile are generally good, with a large percentage of tubers in the 5 to 10 oz range.