Ag News

Alberta Farm Animal Care officially closed its doors as of the first of March.

AFAC was started in 1993 by Alberta livestock producers and over the last 30 years, it's developed into the collective voice of the livestock industry on matters of livestock welfare.

It's also provided an opportunity for the industry to work together to advance and promote responsible livestock care. 

AFAC has been hit hard in recent months, including a lack of government funding. 

Agriculture Minister David Marit released the details on the 2024 Saskatchewan Crop Insurance program on Tuesday.

The program is cost shared between the Federal Government, the Province, and producers with the Saskatchewan Crop Insurance Corporation (SCIC) administering the program.

Marit says this year's enhancements build on SCIC's existing suite of Business Risk Management programs that have helped to support producers that have been impacted by drought.

The Prairie Cattle Marketing Report for the week ending March 1st is out.

Manitoba auction marts put 12,179 animals through the auction ring last week, that's up from  the 10,527 head marketed the previous week.

In Manitoba, feeder steer prices ranged from an average of $470.25 per cwt for the 401 to 500 lb weights to $288 per cwt for the 901 + category.

Feeder heifer prices ranged from an average of $390.53 per cwt for the 401 to 500 lb to $255.50 per cwt for the 901 + category.

A number of areas across the prairies are looking for more moisture.

Nutrien's Senior Agronomist Lyle Cowell took part in the Top Crop Summit this week noting that any moisture we see now will be beneficial.

He says depending where you are in Western Canada, quite a bit of what we get from here on in is going to largely lead to runoff.

The Canadian Federation of Agriculture wrapped up its AGM yesterday.

Members  passed 53 resolutions that will outline the groups focus in the coming year. 

This year’s resolutions cover a range of issues, including: conservation, climate change, labour, rural infrastructure, crop protection, international trade, risk management and much more.

CFA delegates also voted in favor of lobbying the federal government to ensure that agricultural producers receive direct compensation for the carbon they sequester in their 
grasslands and grazing lands.

The Canadian Federation of Agriculture wrapped up its AGM yesterday.

Members passed 53 resolutions that will outline the groups focus in the coming year. 

This year’s resolutions cover a range of issues, including: conservation, climate change, labour, rural infrastructure, crop protection, international trade, risk management and much more.

Three resolutions brought forward by the Keystone Agricultural Producers passed.

The Canadian Federation of Agriculture holding its Annual General Meeting this week in Ottawa.

President Keith Curry says this year's theme is 'Seizing Opportunities: Canada's growing role on the world stage'. 

During the first day of the event, the politicians addressed the group.

Federal Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister Lawrence Macaulay, talking to producers about Canada's new Indo-Pacific Agriculture and Agri-Food Trade Office and the opportunities ahead. 

The Prairie Grain Development Committee meetings are taking place this week in Saskatoon. 

The meetings evaluate potential new cereal, pulse, and oilseed varieties for registration.

Dr Richard Cuthbert, the wheat breeder at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada's Swift Current Research and Development Center (SCRDC), is introducing a promising new Canada Western Red Spring (CWRS) wheat cultivar BW-5104 for evaluation. 

The Federal Government has announced over $3.1 million for the Canadian Agri-Food Policy Institute under the AgriAssurance Program.

The funding will be used to make improvements to the National Index on Agri-Food Performance, which acts as a point of reference for companies to declare the sustainability of their practices. 

Federal Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister Lawrence MacAulay says the money will help the sector take advantage of market opportunities, backing up our efforts with concrete data by making sure everyone measures sustainability in the same way.

Last week marked another busy week in the sales ring across the West.

Manitoba feeder steer prices ranged from $469.19 per cwt for the 401 to 500 pound weights to $270.56 per cwt for the 901 + category

Feeder heifer prices ranged from $389.72 per cwt for the 401 to 500 pounds to $246.13 per cwt for the 901 + category

Saskatchewan steer prices ranged from $427.50 per cwt for the 500-600lb weight category down to $313.00 per cwt in the 800-900lb weight category.