Glenda Lee Vossler

Farmers now have access to a new disease monitoring website specific to issues on the Prairies.

The Prairie Crop Disease Monitoring Network (PCDMN) launched its new website at "prairiecropdisease.blogdpot.com.".

The PCDMN is a coordinated field crop disease monitoring program for the Prairies, focusing on providing timely information about crop diseases and highlighting effective disease management strategies.

A Saskatchewan farmer from Nokomis is the new Chairperson for the Cereals Canada Board of Directors. 

Brett Halstead operates a mixed farm and serves as a director on the Saskatchewan Wheat Development Commission, where he was previously the board chair.

Charolais breeders from around the globe are in Canada for the World Charolais Congress.

The last time the World Congress was in Canada was in 2006 when it was held in Alberta.

Helge By, President of Charolais Charbray International says this year they wanted to show their International visitors more of Canada, and a chance to see the breed on farm by  visiting more producer operations.

Farmers have been dealing with a real mix of weather this year, from isolated heavy rains, to strong winds, hail and even a few tornado sightings. 

Anne Kirk, the Cereal Crop Specialist with Manitoba Agriculture, says its been fairly wet in many areas of the province.

Federal Agriculture Minister Lawrence MacAulay has announced an early list of Livestock Tax Deferral regions for 2024.

This year, the Government has streamlined the process to identify regions earlier in the growing season, and has included a new buffer zone adjacent to the designated regions to capture impacted producers that may be on the edge of affected areas.

This year, the majority of Alberta falls into either the designated or buffered designated regions.

Federal Agriculture Minister Lawrence MacAulay has announced an early list of Livestock Tax Deferral regions for 2024.

This year, the Government has streamlined the process to identify regions earlier in the growing season, and has included a new buffer zone adjacent to the designated regions to capture impacted producers that may be on the edge of affected areas.

This year, the majority of Alberta falls into either the designated or buffered designated regions.

The Canadian Cattle Association and Canadian Cattle Youth Council are concerned with Ottawa's plans to push through capital gains changes.

The proposed changes would see the lifetime capital gains exemption increase from $1 million to $1.25 million, while the capital gains tax, which is paid after that, change from 50 per cent to 67 per cent.

Canadian Cattle Youth Council President Scott Gerbrandt says they are concerned about the proposed increase and what it could mean for family farms.

The Canadian Cattle Association and Canadian Cattle Youth Council are concerned with Ottawa's plans to push through capital gains changes.

The proposed changes would see the lifetime capital gains exemption increase from $1 million to $1.25 million, while the capital gains tax, which is paid after that, change from 50 per cent to 67 per cent.

Canadian Cattle Youth Council President Scott Gerbrandt says they are concerned about the proposed increase and what it could mean for family farms.

The latest Canola Watch newsletter reminds producers to monitor fields regularly for insect and disease issues.

There have been increasing reports of cutworm feeding activity, with some canola reseeding in parts of the Prairies.

If farmers see significant numbers or activity, they are asked to send the cutworm species identification to the Prairie Pest Monitoring Network in their location. 

Flea beetles are another insect that should be on the radar for canola producers.

The Federal Minister of Labour, Seamus O'Regan, is being called on to step up and find a solution between the union and the railways.

Daryl Fransoo, chair of the Wheat Growers Association, says something has to be done.

"We have reached the point of uncertainty where the Minister needs to step up and find a solution between the union and the railways."

He notes that over the past month, they've communicated with the Minister twice and the Canadian Industrial Relations Board about the strike, but they haven't seen a response.