WestCentral

It appears the recent trade tensions between the U.S. and China are delaying the proposed merger between Bunge and Viterra.

China has not yet approved the $34 billion merger between the two ag giants. 

The deal has received antitrust clearance from the European Union and Canada, but the transaction remains stalled in China
 due to what many people say is a result of trade tensions between the United States and China.

The merger was originally announced in 2023. 

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has declared a primary control zone for avian influenza in Manitoba.

The CFIA says it has declared the Rural Municipality of Boissevain-Morton a primary control zone.

The status means that specific measures are being implemented to prevent the spread of the disease through movement restrictions and permits.

To date, 17 premises in Canada have been identified as being infected with AI, including two in Manitoba, three in Saskatchewan and one in Manitoba.

The government isn’t thought to be in a hurry to impose a large duty on yellow peas as it takes steps to reduce food inflation.

India’s pulse trade is pushing for the government to implement a large tariff on imported yellow peas.

Bimal Kothari, chair of the India Pulses and Grains Association, recently told the Hindu Businessline that he wants to see a 50 per cent import duty on the crop to ensure the landed price is equivalent to the government’s minimum support price for desi chickpeas.

The Canola Council of Canada's 2024 grower survey asked growers to identify the diseases, weeds, and insects posing the greatest economic risk to the crop. Flea beetles topped the list once again, maintaining their position from the 2022 and 2020 surveys.

Swift Current Municipal RCMP are requesting the public's assistance to locate an individual who is currently wanted on warrants for several charges. 

Sheldon Bernard Onland is believed to be in Swift Current and is described as 6'2", around 170 pounds, with blond or brown hair. 

The 36-year-old is wanted on three charges;

Sexual interference, 
Failure to comply with a release order, and 
Failure to attend court.

Saskatchewan's Ministry of Agriculture has released its first crop report of the season. So far, 18 per cent of the provincial crop is now in the ground. That’s ahead of the five-year average (2020-2024) of 10 per cent and the 10-year average (2015-2024) of 12 per cent. 

Crop Extension Specialist Meghan Rosso says farmers are making good progress. 

A Kindersley father says his ordinary evening at home turned into an unforgettable one after discovering a $100,000 lottery win — all while holding his baby.

Miguel Malana checked his LOTTO MAX with EXTRA ticket using the Lotto Spot app and was stunned when the screen lit up with six figures.

“I was sitting with the baby and checked my ticket on the app,” Malana said in a Sask Lotteries news release. “It came up as $100,000 and I screamed, ‘Oh, is this for real??’”

In disbelief, Malana said he scanned the ticket more than 10 times before calling his wife over.

Robert Sproule Obituary

1936 ~ 2025 (age 89)

In loving memory of Robert Porter Sproule who passed away on March 3rd 2025 at the age of 89. Bob was the oldest son born to Andrew and Thelda Sproule, and was the brother to the late John Sproule. Beloved husband of the late Joan Sproule; loving father to Tammy MacMillan and Ian (Nita) Sproule; cherished grandfather to Dexter, Kaleb(Kamiko) and Bridget MacMillan and Sofia and Mattea Sproule; and great-grandfather to Porter and Makena MacMillan.

Our Mother's Day promotion "This is my MOM" is coming to an end. The winner is being announced today ahead of Mother's Day on Sunday, and we have had some great entries from listeners all around the region.

Check out some of the submissions from our contest!

Spring seeding is off to a strong start in Saskatchewan, with 18 per cent of the 2025 crop now in the ground, according to the latest provincial crop report.

That’s well ahead of the five-year average of 10 per cent and the 10-year average of 12 per cent for this time of year.

Despite stormy weather across much of the province in April, producers were able to access their fields and make rapid progress, the Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture said in its report for the period of April 29 to May 5.