Agripod

COVID-19 had an immediate impact on gatherings. Several agricultural conferences, events and meetings were either cancelled or switched to a virtual format in order to continue to deliver information to farmers. Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture Crops Extension Specialist Allie Noble is involved with the planning with many events. The pandemic certainly changed how these activities were deliver...

Ground-breaking research in fertilizer techniques from a soil science expert could increase yield for producers. Dr. Jeff Schoenau and a team of colleagues have recently published a soil study  that could change fertilizer techniques and increase crop yields for prairie producers. This new research, conducted using the Canadian Light Source synchrotron at the University of Saskatchewan analyz...

The Soil Conservation Council of Canada is the face and voice of soil conservation and health in Canada. It works with the value chain to advocate for government and industry, promote the benefits of improved soils and demonstrate best management practices to achieve healthier soils across the agricultural landscape. Executive Director Jim Tokarchuk will share the work of the council and explains...

Saskatchewan’s food processing facility is growing. The Food Industry Development Centre will be expanding its operation to provide support to the province's value-added sector. The centre, located in Saskatoon, Sask., is the province’s only commercial incubation centre for food processing and assists food processors to value add their products and prepare them for market. Food Centre...

Farmers are focused on seeding this year's crop so many were not thrilled to see the Census of Agriculture appear during a very busy time of year. Augustine Akuoko-Asibey is a director in the Agriculture Division of Statistics Canada. He says the census data contains important information when it comes to direct payments or various programs that support the ag industry. The inf...

Agripod is brought to you by Smart Nutrition M-A-P plus MST. Soil is your most powerful machine. Agriculture in the Classroom has revealed its new, kid-friendly website that brings the story of agriculture in Saskatchewan to life. The site was designed for Grades 4 to 6 students and will show them the Past and Present of agriculture in the province through highly interactive bits of info...

An online survey conducted by a Toronto-based public relations company shows 91 per cent respondents are ‘very’ or ‘somewhat’ confident in food grown or produced domestically. Just over 1,000 people were surveyed by Grassroots Public Affairs during the last week of March. Senior consultant Peter Seeman says Canadians are very positive towards agricultures’ contributio...

A new study by Ernst and Young projects the global plant-based food market will reach $250 billion by 2035. The largest portion of that would be alternative meats at about $160 billion with additional markets for beverages and seafood. Protein Industries Canada CEO Bill Greuel says we should be aiming for 10 per cent of the plant-based food market but this will require increased production ....

There was an increase in calls to the Farm Stress Line last year. The pandemic was partly responsible for that..... but depression, isolation addictions and family disputes can happen throughout the year. Jan Thorson is the Acting Executive director of Saskatchewan Mobile Crisis Services which oversees the Farm Stress Line. The line is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Thorson says many...

  It wasn’t just farmers growing vegetables this year in Canada. According to a study from Dalhousie University, the pandemic inspired a lot of people to grow their own garden. Vanessa Young with the Horticulture and Agriculture Lifelong Learning Programs with the University of Saskatchewan says there was an increased interest in gardening. Part of it, she believes, is to provide food f...

An ancient practice involving the use of cover crops is being brought up with farmers across Canada. Callum Morrison is a second year PhD student at the University of Manitoba's Department of Plant Science says its a practice that has been used for thousands of years as a way to naturally keep the soil healthy. Part of Morrison's research is looking for farmers' input and he says its just as...

The House of Commons Standing Committee on the Status of Women has been focusing on some of the specific issues rural women face on a day-to-day basis. Rural connectivity was discussed at a recent committee meeting. Saskatchewan farmer and rancher Adrienne Ivey had a chance to share her challenges with internet and cell phone service and how it impacts the family and farming operation. Farmer...

Seeding wheat early can provide several benefits without many risks. That has been the focus of Brian Beres, an Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada research scientist based at Lethbridge, Alta. He has been evaluating ''ultra-early'' seeding for wheat. Rather than using the calendar seeding started when the soil temperature was plus 2 by 10am. There were several test sites and co-operator trials in va...

Beekeepers have been challenged with consecutive years of very low honey prices. The weak prices have been a challenge for prairie beekeepers because the cost of production (buying queens, miticides, labour, equipment) has continued to increase. Sheldon Hill with Sweet Pure Honey is all too familiar with the struggles. In fact, his struggles began to have a significant affect on his mental health....

Agriculture is one of the fastest growing industries in the country. Canadian Western Agribition wanted to shine a spotlight on some of the movers and shakers in the sector. CWA initiated the Top 50 in agriculture program to recognize the best, brightest and boldest people ag leaders. CWA and Farm Credit Canada (FCC) started the search last year by asking for nominations from across...

Ranchers care about the animals they raise. That is why when it's -50 with the windchill - they are on high alert watching out for those newborn calves. Sometimes it means going to any lengths to get them warmed up quickly so they can be returned to their mothers. One rancher in southern Saskatchewan had several calves born on a very cold day. Those three newborn calves spent some time on a bathro...

Prairie barley growers may have dealt with a variety of growing conditions but for the most part the 2020 harvest was a success simply because the dry, warm fall had farmers bringing in the crop in near-record time. With strong feed barley prices producers will have a lot to consider before Plant 2021 begins. Mitchell Japp is the research and extension manager with the Saskatchewan Barley Developm...

What should I make for dinner?  Canada Beef will say...beef.. of course. But what cut of beef should I chose? How do I prepare it? That's why Canada Beef is working towards getting QR codes on every package of beef.  One quick scan with your smart phone and all of those questions will be answered. Canada Beef President Michael Young says when every cut of beef has its own QR code the hom...

It is the first of its kind in Canada. Lakeland College announced the new Bachelor of Agriculture Technology degree program starting in the fall of 2021 at the Vermilion, Alberta campus. Josie Van Lent, the dean of agriculture technology and applied research will tell us about the development of this new program, how students, wanting to stay and learn more at the college played a roll, and t...

Farmers and ranchers are wanted to participate in a mental health project. Saskatchewan Polytechnic wants to identify exactly what is needed for a mental health support system for the agriculture sector. Michelle Pavloff is the research chair for rural health and principal investigator with Sask Polytech. She will explain what they are looking for and how producers can participate. Fertilizer Cana...

Infectious diseases threaten the health of people and animals and impact the global economy. The University of Saskatchewan's Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization (VIDO) works with international partners to study human and animal pathogens and develop solutions. VIDO-InterVac has developed a COVID-19 vaccine which it is preparing to test in humans.  Just before Christmas VIDO-Inte...

Many of us will be missing the numerous farm shows and information meeting this winter and spring.  These events were canceled due to COVID-19 protocols. We always look forward to hearing from World Weather Meteorologist Drew Lerner who provides a glimpse into the weather for the upcoming growing season. Drew is here to share his thoughts on what is to come and look at some of the weather iss...

Several sectors deemed essential services are calling on governments to ensure COVID-19 vaccines are provided to their workers. That includes meat processing plant employees. When the pandemic began disruptions in pork processing resulted in plant closures and impacted North American live hog prices. Sask Pork General Manager Mark Ferguson will discuss the impacts of the pandemic and praised...

CP Rail continues to outperform CN Rail on the percentage of hopper cars supplied to shippers. Those statistics come from the Ag Transport Coalition, which monitors rail performance on behalf of shippers and producer groups. CP supplied 79 per cent of cars ordered in shipping week 18 . . .compared to 68 per cent for CN. Those numbers show a small decline from the previous week. Milt Poirier is wit...

Producers face a number of challenges from drought to disease pressure, unpredictable weather patterns, market volatility, fluctuations in input prices and labour shortages. These are just a few but they are the ones farmers have little to no control over and yet they have a huge impact on profitability and sustainability of farming operations. The Olds College Smart Farm in central Alberta i...