WestCentral

A U.S. company develops a trait that it says provides genetic resistance to sclerotinia, which can be challenging for growers.

A San Diego company is closer to commercializing a trait that could protect canola from sclerotinia.

In April, Cibus announced that two of its disease resistance traits for canola have been designated as “not regulated” by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

“We are encouraged by USDA-APHIS (Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service) broad designation for these traits being developed,” said Cibus co-founder Peter Beetham.

Manitoba's latest potato report shows planting in the province is now estimated to be 95 per cent complete. 

Planting has been going very smoothly, with most farms now finished.

Potato and Horticulture Crops Pathologist Vikram Bisht says with planting nearly over, it's now time to take care of cull piles in and around fields and farmyards, as cull piles can be a source of disease inoculum and may harbour Colorado potato beetles and aphids.

Scott Jespersen has been named the acting chair for Alberta Grains. 

Chair Tara Sawyer is taking a leave of absence effective immediately following her appointment by Premier Danielle Smith as the United Conservative Party (UCP) candidate for the Olds-Didsbury-Three Hills by-election. 

Sawyer, a wheat and barley farmer from Acme, Alberta, was elected as Alberta Grains’ inaugural chair in 2023 after the amalgamation of the Alberta Wheat and Barley Commissions.

The training agreement will establish an environment, social and governance program that will be offered to students in Uzbekistan.

Countries across the globe are seeking out Canadian post-secondary institutions for partnerships focused on learning and exchanging knowledge.

Olds College in Olds, Alta., is one of the latest, signing an international training agreement with Uzbekistan April 29 following a memorandum of understanding signed last November.

Weak instability across southwestern Saskatchewan is expected to spark isolated, non-severe thunderstorms Wednesday afternoon and evening, with a risk of funnel clouds extending from Swift Current through Cabri, Leader, Fox Valley and the Eatonia area.

Drake Meats has announced a significant expansion with the construction of a new federally inspected plant in Saskatoon. This marks the first major expansion for the company, which has been operating out of its original plant in Drake, Saskatchewan.

ROSETOWN, Sask. — The high-profile human trafficking and sexual assault trial of Mohammad Masum and Sohel Haider entered its second week of this stretch of trial on Tuesday with testimony from a former Saskatchewan MLA who told the court he discreetly intervened to help a woman police allege was being exploited while working in a rural restaurant.

LLOYDMINSTER, Alta. — RCMP are investigating what they say was a targeted firearms incident at a power substation in Lloydminster early Sunday that caused significant damage, a major oil spill, and widespread power outages.

Police responded to a call about a power outage around 4:40 a.m. on May 19. Officers later determined the cause to be a deliberate shooting at the ATCO substation located near 12th Street and 75 Avenue.

UNITY, Sask. — A Unity man is facing an impaired driving charge and another driver received a 72-hour roadside suspension during traffic stops in the region, according to the latest RCMP report for May 13 to 19.

Unity RCMP say the 37-year-old man was charged with impaired operation of a motor vehicle. In a separate traffic stop, another motorist was issued a roadside suspension after failing a breath test.

There’s lots going on within your community, and the Town of Kindersley Council strives to keep residents up to date on upcoming changes and plans. The first change on the radar? The retirement of Chief Administrative Officer and Director of Corporate Services Audrey Hebert

Audrey Hebert became the Town of Kindersley’s CAO in 2018. Accomplishments in the tourism sector include finishing the swimming pool, upgrading nearly all the parks with irrigation and playground equipment, and making the beach an even greater attraction.