Prairie companies named to SVG Ventures|THRIVE Academy
SVG Ventures|THRIVE, a global venture and innovation platform has announced the 15 companies selected for its fourth Academy program.
The THRIVE Academy is committed to fostering innovation and entrepreneurship in the agriculture and food technology space.
It offers a 12-week program designed to de-risk and validate ideas, equipping participants with the skills and knowledge necessary to navigate the challenges of the industry.
This year's participants come from across Canada, Bulgaria, Hungary, and the United States.
Funding available to help cover Agriculture employment costs
Federal Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister Lawrence MacAulay announced $13.5 million on Thursday to support a new application intake under the Youth Employment and Skills Program (YESP).
The initiative will provide the agricultural sector with the help needed to support approximately 1,200 jobs for youth in the sector.
The Little Potato Company continues to grow
The Little Potato Company is a familiar name in many households selling products to supermarkets across Canada and the U.S.
The company has qualified for Alberta’s Agri-Processing Investment Tax Credit program and is building a new $39.5-million project in Nisku.
The 240,000-square-foot facility will be able to process about 125 million pounds of potatoes, doubling the capacity from its former Edmonton location.
Improving soil quality was a key focus for the Sask Soil Conference
When it comes to getting the best quality crop ... it all comes down to production and management and that starts with a soil test.
That soil test provides the base for what you have as far as nutrients in the soil to work with and then you can build off that.
Improving soil quality in semi-arid conditions was one of the presentations during the SaskSoils conference last week.
Agronomist Troy LaForge farms at Cadillac, Saskatchewan, and talked about how he's worked to build up the organic soil on his farm
Canadian grain customers provide key information for future crop development
Canadian grain customers like the quality and consistency of our crops.
The Canadian Grain Commission (CGC) provides customers with statements of assurance and letters of analysis.
Derek Bunkowsky, the CGC's chief grain inspector says statements of assurance are based on cargo monitoring on all bulk vessels of grain that are leaving Canada.
Ottawa urged to step back on changes to the 2024 Advance Payments Program
The Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan (APAS) and the Saskatchewan Cattlemen’s Association have sent a joint letter to the Federal Agriculture Minister regarding changes to the Federal Government's 2024 Advance Payments Program (APP).
Starting in 2024, Ottawa is changing the interest-free portion of the Advance Payments Program back to $100,000 from the current $350,000 level.
The groups are calling on Ottawa to reconsider its decision and reinstate the $350,000 interest-free portion.
Canada opens Indo-Pacific Agriculture and Agri-Food Office in the Philippines.
Federal Agriculture Minister Lawrence MacAulay has officially opened Canada's Indo-Pacific Agriculture and Agri-Food Office in the Philippines.
"I’m so pleased to be in Manila to open Canada’s first-ever Indo-Pacific Agriculture and Agri-Food Office. We export nearly half of what we produce in Canada and the global demand continues to grow. I have no doubt this office will play a central role in growing export markets for our world-class Canadian farmers and increasing collaboration and cooperation in this important region.”
The Province is looking to grow it's relationship with India
Premier Scott Moe is leading a trade delegation to India this week.
The goal is to grow trade opportunities and increase India's investment in the province.
India is a key partner for us, stats show that in 2023 Saskatchewan's agri-food exports to India were valued at over $700 million.
As part of the visit, the Premier will be speaking in New Delhi where he'll talk about the province's sustainable agriculture practices and reliable supply chain.
Good news for potato growers
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency's 2023 National Survey for Potato Wart shows the pest was not detected in any of the soil samples tested.
Over 2000 soil samples were collected from fields in key potato-growing areas like PEI, Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia.
The national survey results have been provided to provinces, the Canadian Potato Council, and the United States Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
Why should nitrogen get all the buzz?
A successful canola crop needs a lot of nitrogen, which is why nitrogen earns A-list buzz. That same successful crop also depends on a strong supporting cast – phosphorus, potassium, sulphur and micronutrients.
University of Saskatchewan researchers recently updated the nutrient uptake and removal guidelines for 14 annual crops grown in Western Canada. The researchers, in doing their surveys, discovered considerable variability in uptake and removal due in part to differences in weather and management, which is why they say these numbers are guidelines only, not prescriptions.