FortSask

Wheat midge is one of the top three most damaging insect pests for wheat crops in the prairies.

Dr.Tyler Wist is a field crop entamologist with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada in Saskatoon.

During this week's "Think Wheat" meetings he talked about the Midge Busters phermone trap monitoring project.

Producers and agronomists that volunteer for the program are given a phermone trap to put out in the wheat field, they then count the wheat midge on their traps bi-weekly.

The Humane Animal Rescue Team (HART) is asking for the public's help in getting more food and toys for their dogs.

HART has been overwhelmed with puppy intakes. They currently have 28 puppies in their care, all without shelter and relying on the public's help. 

"It’s heartbreaking to see the number of unwanted litters lately," wrote volunteer Christine Malon in a Facebook post.

Another volunteer, Vimy Spangler, says that an influx of puppies isn't uncommon.

It's a bit of a snowy one out there this morning, and the road conditions are reflecting that. 

According to Alberta 511, the following roads are being described as partly covered in snow, with some icy sections:

• Highway 15 going in and out of Fort Saskatchewan and Edmonton
• Highway 825 up by Hu Haven
• Highway 28A to Gibbons 
• Highway 37 to Namao

Highway 15 toward Bruderheim is listed as being covered in snow. The same can be said for Highway 830 through Josephburg. Caution is being advised on those routes. 

The Canadian Grain Commission’s new Science Strategy is now available.

The strategy lays out a vision for the future of science and research at the Canadian Grain Commission and positions us to respond to the latest trends and developments in the grain sector.

Based on consultations with producer and industry organizations, end users, academia as well as other provincial and federal government departments, the Science Strategy identifies 5 drivers that will shape the future of grain science into the next decade:

The Alberta Wheat Commission held its Annual General Meeting this week during the CrossRoads Crop Conference in Edmonton.

There are no changes in the executive.

The board of directors putting Greg Sears from Sexsmith back as chair, while Jason Lenz of Bentley and Shawn Jacula of Vermillion resume their roles as vice-presidents.

A key issue for the executive will be the amalgamation of Alberta Wheat and Alberta Barley.

Sears says over the next few months, they look forward to building a well-thought-out platform for the new commission to launch from.

Politicians in charge of provincial and territorial liquor laws aren't hurrying to adopt or promote newly updated guidelines that advise a steep drop in Canadian drinking habits.

Across Canada, the responsible ministers declined interview requests from The Canadian Press. In written responses, they didn't commit to changing marketing methods for alcohol and noted they're awaiting Ottawa's lead on whether to slap warning labels on products.

For livestock producers having access to a good, clean water supply is key.

Water quality can affect the feed intake, the absorption of nutrients, and overall productivity of animals.

Livestock and Feed Extension specialist Alicia Sopatyk  encourages producers to get their water tested, adding one of the most common problems tends to be high sulfates.

Police are asking for the public's help in locating a suspect in a hit-and-run that took place in Sherwood Park.

On Jan. 16, a witness got a hold of police saying they had seen a youth get hit while in the crosswalk at the intersection of Broadmoor Boulevard and Strathcona Drive.

Surveillance footage caught a white 2011 to 2016 model Ford Super Duty truck hitting the person while turning south onto Broadmoor Boulevard. The driver of the Ford then left the scene.

Lakeland College is moving its bison herd to a new location.

By the end of the month, the bison will be relocated to their new home south of Vermillion thanks to the generosity of Armin and Rita Mueller.

A historic $4 million donation from the couple was specifically identified for that purpose.

Lakeland bought the land which includes eight contiguous quarters, handling facilities, outbuildings, fencing and full services for $7,780,000.

The Enterprise Machine Intelligence Learning Initiative (EMILI) and Assiniboine Community College (ACC) are working together on ag-tech innovation and education.

The two hope to increase digital skills to address labour shortages in the ag sector. 

Studies show that Canada’s ag sector could be facing a shortage of 123,000 workers by 2030.

RBC's Farmer 4.0 Report suggests that the advanced technologies 
emerging across agriculture and sub-sectors will change the skills needed in the sector over the next decade.