Ag News

Western Crop Innovations continues to grow. 

The Saskatchewan Barley Development Commission has joined Western Crop Innovations (WCI) as a voting member.

Sask Barley has committed $50,000 in core funding as a transitional grant for the current fiscal year.

Western Crop Innovations (WCI) work focuses on developing feed and forage barley, malting barley, and triticale varieties specifically tailored for the Western Prairies.

The newly formed organization - formerly known as the Field Crop Development Centre - was founded earlier this year. 

While farmers are out in the field harvesting this year's wheat crop, research scientists and breeders involved in the Canadian National Wheat Cluster are working on improving the crops' long-term sustainability in the cropping rotation.

Funding for the work being done by the Wheat Cluster comes through the Canadian Wheat Research Coalition (CWRC).

The CWRC is a collaboration of the three producer wheat commissions across Western Canada, the Alberta Wheat Commission, Saskatchewan Wheat Development Commission and Manitoba Crop Alliance.

Alberta Agriculture's weekly crop report shows 20 per cent of the provincial crop has been harvested, with another nine per cent swathed. The winter wheat harvest is now 94 per cent complete, followed by the fall rye at 93 per cent, dry peas at 73 per cent, and lentils at 59 per cent across the province. 

Regionally, the South has seen the most progress with 38 per cent of crops combined, the Central Region is at 25 per cent,  the North West and North East  have less than 7 per cent finished, while the Peace Region is 11 per cent complete.

This week's crop report shows farmers have made good progress with the harvest despite scattered storm activity around the province.

Crop Extension Specialist Tyce Masich says the harvest is most advanced in the Southwest where 44 per cent of the crop is now in. That's followed by the southeast with 28 per cent, the east central with 25 per cent, the west-central with 15 per cent, the northeast with 12 per cent and the northwest with seven per cent. 

The railways have been working to ramp back up following last week's rail shutdown.

CN's Assistant Vice President of Grain, David Przednowek says the process takes some time noting the key to an efficient ramp up or recovery is a very measured and planned ramp down.

He says that involved implementing embargoes so that products (especially toxic, hazardous or dangerous goods) wouldn't be left in transport on the rail line.

Przednowek says it's important to review how everything played out to fully understand the process involved in gearing back up. 

Farmers are trying to work on the harvest in between the rain. 

This week's crop report shows Agro-Manitoba received variable amounts of precipitation over the past seven days. Precipitation for the past week ranged from 0.6 mm to 77.8 mm with areas of the Northwest and Southwest regions accumulating the largest amounts of precipitation. Minitonas (77.8 mm) received the most precipitation. Rain was reported in the Interlake, Northwest, and Southwest region over the last week.

The Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan is calling for an immediate review of the Canadian Grain Commission's bonding and licensing system to better safeguard producers.

At 11:59 on August 27, 2024 the Canadian Grain Commission revoked the grain dealer license for Purely Canada Foods and its grain operations in Saskatchewan. Farmers in Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta that may have unpaid deliveries with the company should contact the CGC immediately.

Fall grazing management can really ‘set the stage’ for next year’s perennial pastures. It is important to leave sufficient carry-over (litter) on pastures prior to the upcoming winter months. As much as it is tempting, overgrazing pastures in the fall period is not worth the loss of production in subsequent grazing seasons.

Saskatchewan RCMP made an arrest on Monday in connection to a series of hay bale and grass fires that occurred in the Unity/Macklin RCMP area. 

Cpl. Christopher Neufeld of Unity RCMP says they responded to over 15 reports of deliberately set hay bale and grass fires within the last month.

Unity RCMP and the Macklin Fire Department responded and worked together on the investigation.

Evidence and surveillance video from a bale fire resulted in the arrest of 25-year-old Logan Sieben from Macklin on Monday.

Farmers owed money for unpaid deliveries to Purely Canada Foods Corp. are encouraged to contact the Canadian Grain Commission immediately.

The CGC revoked the grain dealer licence and primary elevator licences for Purely Canada Foods Corp. in Avonlea,  Kindersley, and Lajord, Saskatchewan as of 11:59 pm last night (August 27).

The company may owe grain farmers in Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Alberta money for grain deliveries.