Ag News

The Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities Annual Convention got underway in Regina yesterday.

President Ray Orb addressed the economic challenges people are facing noting that every family in this province is feeling the pinch in their household budgets. 

On Wednesday, Agriculture Minister David Marit announced more than $19 million for irrigation development to help sustain irrigation infrastructure once owned by the province.

Six irrigation districts will share in the Irrigation Rehabilitation Program funding:

Stats Can released its Principal Field Crop estimates for 2024 this week.

Canadian farmers are expected to plant more wheat, corn for grain, oats, lentils and dry peas in 2024, while the area seeded to canola, soybeans and barley is anticipated to drop compared with 2023 levels.

Nationally, wheat acres are expected to hit 27 million acres up slightly from last year, with 19.2 million acres of spring wheat, 1.5 million acres of winter wheat and 6.3 million acres of durum wheat.

Saskatchewan's acreage is anticipated to hit 14.2 million acres. 

This week, the USDA published the final Product of USA labeling rule for the voluntary labeling of  U.S. meat, poultry, and egg products.

The rule stipulates that to qualify for the label meat must be derived from animals born, raised, slaughtered and processed in the U.S.

The new policy, which is being referred to as voluntary country of original labelling (V-COOL),  is set to come into effect by January 1, 2026.

RM delegates from around the province are in Regina for their Annual Convention and Trade Show.

The Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities event gets underway today and wraps up on Friday.

Today delegates will hear from Merle Massie a historian, writer, editor and farmer talking about her work and efforts in Preserving Saskatchewan Stories, also addressing the group will be NDP Opposition Leader Carla Beck, and  Conservative MP Jeremy Patzer.

Manitoba Crop  Alliance has released a new study highlighting the economic impact the five crops they represent make to the province. 

The Global Data study looked at wheat (excluding durum), barley, grain corn, sunflower and flax.

The study found that the five crop types had a total economic impact of roughly $6.9 billion over the past three years, including more than 28,000 Manitoba jobs and $2.5 billion in wages.

Federal Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister Lawrence MacAulay, and Minister of Export Promotion, International Trade and Economic Development, Mary Ng, released the following joint statement in response to the final rule released by the United States related to the "Product of USA" voluntary labelling regulations for meat, poultry and egg products.

The USDA's voluntary 'Product of USA' labeling rule for U.S. meat, poultry, and egg products is now a reality.

U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack says to qualify for the label meat must be derived from animals born, raised, slaughtered and processed in the U.S.

The move is a key concern to Canada's pork sector.

Manitoba Pork chair Rick Préjet says three million pigs are exported to the United States from Manitoba every year, in addition to the over $400 million worth of Manitoba pork products.

Federal Agriculture Minister Lawrence MacAulay has re-appointed Lonny McKague as Commissioner of the Canadian Grain Commission. 

McKague has 40 years as a primary producer farming in south-central Saskatchewan in the Ogema area.

He was first appointed to the CGC in 2017.

MacAulay says Lonny McKague’s experience, expertise, and tireless advocacy for Canadian producers are incredibly valuable assets.

"I have no doubt that Lonny will continue to guide the organization in helping to ensure the long-term success of the sector."

The USDA has finalized it's voluntary "Product of USA" labeling rule.

U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced the finalization of a rule at the National Farmers Union Annual Convention yesterday.

According to the new rule to qualify for the label - meat must be derived from animals born, raised, slaughtered, and processed in the U.S.

This could have a major impact on Canadian cattle moving into the U.S.