Glenda Lee Vossler

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.

Manitoba's Potato Report shows over 95  per cent of potato acres have been planted in Manitoba, ranging from 40 to 100 per cent for individual farms.

Planting in the western side of the province is over 95 per cent complete, with some wet fields still unplanted.

The Central potato growing areas are around 40 to 100 per cent complete, while the southern part of the province is 70 to 100 per cent planted.

Overall, planting has progressed well in many areas, despite the rain and snow that some areas received in May, and more rain is in the forecast for this week.

Manitoba's Potato Report shows over 95  per cent of potato acres have been planted in Manitoba, ranging from 40 to 100 per cent for individual farms.

Planting in the western side of the province is over 95 per cent complete, with some wet fields still unplanted.

The Central potato growing areas are around 40 to 100 per cent complete, while the southern part of the province is 70 to 100 per cent planted.

Overall, planting has progressed well in many areas, despite the rain and snow that some areas received in May, and more rain is in the forecast for this week.

With farmers focused on getting this year's crop in the ground just a reminder to keep kids safe on the farm.

Robin Anderson, director of programs and communications with the Canadian Agricultural Safety Association says they are partnering with BASF for the first inaugurala "Kids Farm Safe Week", May 13-19.

She says it's really in response to statistics from the Canadian Agriculture Injury reporting data showing that kids, especially those under four years of age, are being killed on farms at an alarming rate, higher than any other age group under the age of 60.

Seeding progress has been delayed across the province with the recent rains

Pulse and Soybean Specialist Dennis Lange puts together the weekly report and says timing of the rain was ideal.

"In the last week, just based on the weather report, rainfall levels were anywhere from four mm all the way up to 37 mm across the province. It has delayed the seeding over the last week. So we haven't moved a whole lot we're sitting at about four per cent complete. "