Ag News

MP's are back to work today in Ottawa following the Christmas break.

Over the last few weeks, MPs have been spending time in their ridings meeting with their constituents to discuss their concerns.

They'll be raising those concerns with their colleagues back in Ottawa.

A key issue for the agriculture sector and one of the first Bills expected to hit the floor this week for discussion is Bill C-234.

The Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association held its semi-annual meeting during the Saskatchewan Beef Industry Conference this week.

The membership passed seven resolutions including one to address the growing wildlife damage problem that producers are dealing with.

President Garner Deobald says SSGA resolved to lobby Saskatchewan Crop Insurance Corporation to put a monetary value on stockpiled forages-similar to the compensation that is currently available for damaged crops and stack damage. 

The event formerly known as FarmTech is a collaboration of the Alberta Canola, Alberta Grains, and Alberta Pulse Commissions.

Committee Chair Todd Hames says this year's event focuses on "New Ideas and Directions" with presentations on innovation and sustainability, agriculture policy and farm management.

"We're trying to create that environment to have speakers, that encourage conversation and ideas. Then have opportunities during the program to network and share those ideas and thoughts and have the discussion."

The province is opening up the 2023 Canada-Alberta Drought Livestock Assistance initiative to more producers. 

Agriculture Minister RJ Sigurdson says they have expanded the program to include 23 new regions.

“I’m pleased Alberta’s government was able to work with the federal government to expand this financial support to additional regions impacted by severe drought and extreme heat conditions. I will continue to look out for the interests of our hard-working livestock producers.”

The Saskatchewan Beef Industry Conference this week also featured several beef industry meetings. 

During the Saskatchewan Cattlemen's Association Annual General Meeting, producers heard about the organization's activities over the last year.

CEO Grant McLellan says there was a good discussion during the resolution session

Members voted in favor of increasing the provincial portion of the checkoff by $1.50 per head starting April 1, 2025.

The provincial portion of the checkoff is currently $2.00 per head which is where it's been since 2012.

Wheatland County in partnership with Rocky View County, Kneehill County, and the County of Newell will be hosting a Drought Resilient Crop Production Workshop at the Strathmore Municipal Library (85 Lakeside Blvd). 

Topics will include understanding soil moisture, soil management for drought resiliency, a practical solutions panel discussion for managing drought conditions, maximizing the use of every inch in irrigation, crop systems for managing drought risk and building farm resiliency.

This workshop will take place on February 28 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The Canadian Cattle Association has been actively working on some key issues of concern for producers here at home, in the U.S. and internationally.

The CCA's general manager Ryder Lee says they're closely monitoring what's happening south of the border with their 'voluntary' Product of the U.S. Labeling legislation. 

He says they're watching to see if it changes how cattle are procured or beef is sold.

The Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan has submitted its official response to Transport Canada's public interest review relating to the proposed merger of Viterra and Bunge.

Transport Canada launched the review in the fall of 2023.

APAS  President Ian Boxall says the acquisition raises some critical issues around the potential impact on the agriculture sector in Saskatchewan, especially as it relates to producer deliveries or any possible elevator closures as Viterra holds 27 per cent of the total capacity.

The Saskatchewan Beef Industry Conference moved to Regina this year.

The annual event featured several key speakers and topics designed to help increase awareness and productivity for producers in their operations.

The opening keynote presenter was Travis Hickey of Cattlenomics, the company offers Livestock Brokerage and Risk Management services to producers.

Hickey founded the company and has extensive experience on the cattle side and data analysis and trading.  

The pulse market has been relatively strong compared to most other crops.

That was the message Jonathan Driedger with Leftfield Commodity Research delivered to pulse growers this week during the Saskatchewan Pulse Growers Regional Meeting in Swift Current.

Driedger told the group online and in person that while the pulse market has been doing well,  he's not sure just how much upside is left for old crop prices.

He points out that one of the challenges for buyers right now is being able to make commitments that they don't know, they can source.