Agripod

To enhance the ability of pork producers to be prepared to respond to a foreign animal disease outbreak, the Saskatchewan Pork Development Board in partnership with the Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture and the Animal Health Emergency Management project has released a mass euthanasia and disposal producer guide. Sask Pork Producer Services Manager Karolina Steinerova talks about the plan and tr...

The Research Lead with Agrifood Economic Systems suggests Canadian agricultural organizations and government need to come together quickly and act decisively in response to the threat of U.S. tariffs on Canadian imports. Agrifood Economic Systems has released a Policy Advisory Note which examines Canada's one month reprieve on U.S. tariffs and how the agri-food sector should use that time. Dr. Al...

When it comes to the various cuts of pork, consumer preferences have changed dramatically over the past 20 years. Since COVID consumers have been contending with steadily increasing food prices. Hubert Muckel, a retired southwestern Manitoba butcher-meat cutter who retired in 2023 after working more than 50 years, estimates food prices have approximately doubled over the past four years. The price...

There has been a lot of discussion surrounding a pesky weed called kochia. Wind helps spread the tumbleweed longer distances and there are more reports of herbicide resistant kochia. The seed banks are only viable for three years, but it has been discovered forages can compete with kochia in low-lying marginal areas. Ducks Unlimited Extension Agrologist Jodie Horvath says DU sponsored research pro...

With global politics, tariffs and uncertainty - canola prices in Canada would likely be higher, Marlene Boersch spoke to farmers and agronomists at a recent meeting sharing her thoughts on the canola market and the impact of impending tariffs. She says she's angry that Canada's most important trading partner is ignoring trade agreements that were signed. Plant growth regulators are synthetic compo...

A southwestern Manitoba farmer is calling on government and industry to explore the feasibility of establishing a processing facility that would extract medical compounds from the byproducts of hog processing. Heparin is a blood thinner that prevents the formation of blood clots. Jim Downey says he became interested in the medical side of production about three years ago when he was contacted by a...

Farmers get a lot of direction from agronomists, accountants, bankers and lawyers. All have a direct impact on their business. But one area they often neglect is their closest personal relationships. Our guest, Sean Brotherson, a professor and extension family science specialist from North Dakota State University says a farmer’s highest priority should be their spouse or partner. Today we ta...

The Federal Government needs to make changes to policies on illegal immigration and the illicit sale of drugs to avoid imposition of a 25 per cent US tariff on Canadian and Mexican pork imports. That comes from Florian Possberg, a partner in Polar Pork. He says 2025 looks positive for pork producers but a tariff on Canadian and Mexican imports could change all of that. A farmer and agricultur...

Researchers with the University of Nebraska-Lincoln are using radio-frequency identification technology to track the feeding behavior of pigs to provide an early warning of disease. Dr. Raj Sharma says the development of autonomous technologies are designed to capture data 24-7 to monitor and track individual pig feeding behavior to provide early disease detection. He says it provides real-time in...

It was during very dry conditions that a retired soil scientist sent a message out on social media telling farmers they need to soil sample to understand what the nutrient carryover will be for the next crop. Smaller yields likely mean the fertilizer applied in the spring was not used up and could be available for the next crop. Ross McKenzie explains how the soil test could save farmers money at...

The Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan has a new president. Bill Prybyski was elected to the position during the group's annual general meeting. Prybylski says there are many files the organization is working on but he has one of particular interest to him. Dr. Louis-Pierre Comeau of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada has been working with Dr. Franck Stefani to lead the Canadian Soil...

We're going to be talking a lot in the next few weeks about 'year-in-review stories'. Two specialists have examined the ten most important variables impacting Canadian Agriculture for 2025. It was compiled by two senior analysts from GrainFox---Neil Townsend and Ranulf Glanville. They will share their thoughts on 2024 and the year to come. Canadian Western Agribition wrapped up with organizers exp...

A professor with Dalhousie University says Canada will need to work with the United States under the new Donald Trump administration to ensure benefits to Canadian agriculture. Dr. Sylvain Charlebois says Canada followed the United States in terms of food inflation, but Canada is now higher, the result of Canada's own food policies. Farmers are investing in the next generation of young people by p...

Manitoba Pork is calling for the creation of strategic plan for dealing with trade. General manager Cam Dahl says in the wake of the recent U.S. election, the federal government needs to develop a national strategy for agriculture and food trade particularly as Canada heads into the 2026 review of the Canada U.S. Mexico Agreement. Protein Industries Canada is looking for companies that can blend p...

Donald Trump will return to the US presidency early next year after winning yesterday’s election. What will this mean for international trade as well as imports and exports between Canada and the United States. Trump campaigned on implementing tariffs---specifically against China, which would impact US corn and soybean producers. We spoke this morning to Stephen Nicholson---a global sector strateg...

A well-known Environment Canada Meteorologist will soon be calling it a career. Terri Lang will retire after 36 years at the national weather office. She'll talk about the changes in weather gathering that have occurred over her time and some of the most interesting weather events she has been able to cover. An animal science professor with Colorado State University says when it comes to health an...

A new high-throughput immunogen-screening method developed by the Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization will hopefully help reduce the costs associated with developing new vaccines. Haoming Liu, a fourth year PhD student with VIDO, explains immunogens, be they proteins, sugars, or fats, and explains how they help the immune system recognize and fight off infections. The Saskatchewan Pork Ind...

The Canadian Centre for Rural and Agricultural Health located at the University of Saskatchewan has received an anonymous, $1.5-million donation to fund the purchase and operating costs of a new mobile unit that will travel around rural Saskatchewan. Centre Director Dr. Shelly Kirchuk and Kendra Ulmer, the manager of the Agricultural Health and Safety Network will talk about the work of the rural...

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has released a report on the latest recommendations and feedback relating to modernizing the seed regulations in Canada. The process began in 2021 and covers several areas from import to export, seed conditioning, storage, testing and labeling to seed sales. The National Manager for the Seed Section of the CFIA, Wendy Jahn (Yawn) says a number of the regulations...

There are many pieces of legislation introduced during a Parliamentary session—-only a few received widespread media coverage while other bills fly under the radar getting much less public attention. Bill C-293 is a private member’s bill introduced by a Liberal backbench MP from Toronto. Published reports indicate Nathaniel Erskine-Smith was raised as a vegetarian and is now a vegan. Bill C-293 de...

More than ever consumers are curious about how and where their food is produced. Amy te Plate-Church is the Director of the U.S. based Center for Food Integrity. She says consumer trends and developments in consumer perceptions have far reaching implications for farmers. She says some of the factor’s consumers consider when making purchasing decisions are changing. The General Manager of Manitoba...

The Animal Health Canada's Emergency Management Division says the focus of the division right now is planning and preparedness for foreign animal disease. Director Erica Charlton says, at this stage, the main focus is disease planning and preparedness with the big three being African Swine Fever, Foot and Mouth Disease and High Path Avian Influenza in poultry. Four cereal-based producer commission...

A program developed by the Western College of Veterinary Medicine, to attract veterinary students into swine medicine, is a win for the students, their educators and the swine veterinary practices participating in the program. The Pharmhouse Summer Student Swine Experience Program places veterinary students into swine veterinary practices during the summer. Dr. John Harding says the program was cr...

The Canadian Canola Growers association met with canola crop commissions from Alberta, Manitoba and Saskatchewan to discuss trade issues with China. The Chinese are promising to launch an anti-dumping case against Canadian canola in retaliation for Canada's decision to impose stiff tariffs on steel, aluminum and electric vehicles coming from China. CCGA President Rick White shares what was discuss...

Canada's own regulatory system is making its farmers less competitive internationally and hampering their ability to provide the world with food. Manitoba Pork General Manager Cam Dahl says when the costs imposed on Canadian agriculture as the result of regulations are higher than they are in countries like the United States or Brazil it means that Canadian farmers are less competitive. Farm Healt...