Agripod

Canadian's dependence on exports makes the prevention and preparation for foreign animal disease critical. In response to the threat of African Swine Fever, the Saskatchewan government and the Saskatchewan Pork Development Board have contributed one million dollars to support swine disease mitigation, including adding a dedicated cull line into the North 49 sow processing facility being built in M...

The Palette Skills Digital Agriculture Specialist program was created to prepare people for jobs in the agriculture sector in several areas including farm robotics, agriculture automation and food processing. Program manager Ednali Fertuck-Zehavi says it was designed to prepare people with already have some post-secondary education, with the skills they need for jobs in the agriculture industry. E...

On-farm research has become a powerful decision-making tool for farmers, especially when it comes to making management decisions on their own operation. On-farm research can provide meaningful information specific to your soils, farming practices, and local conditions, allowing you to make management decisions with confidence. Christiane Catellier with the Indian Head Agricultural Research Foundat...

African Swine Fever has been confirmed in two dead wild boars in Greece. This is the first report of ASF in Greece since 2020. Dr. Paul Sundberg, the Executive Director of the Swine Health Information Center, says North America can learn a lot from Greece and other countries when it comes to controlling the spread of ASF. Applications can now be made under the Advance Payments program---better kno...

The Agri-Food Innovation and Sustainability Enhancement Chair with the University of Saskatchewan is confident genetic improvements accomplished through gene editing will contribute to lower food prices in Canada. U-Sask associate professor Dr. Stuart Smyth says one of the challenges is there isn't a regulatory system for gene edited livestock.   The Saskatchewan Pork Development Board has launche...

The livestock industry is very concerned about the shortage of veterinarians. But what are the main issues that are preventing post-secondary students from getting into and then staying in the veterinary profession? Alberta Veterinarian Sydney Crosby spoke to the recent Saskatchewan Beef Industry Symposium and share some of her thoughts on how the sector can change to help keep vets in the industr...

Preliminary results of research show pigs can be stimulated into engaging in play. The Western College of Veterinary Medicine and the Prairie Swine Centre are exploring the prospects of using play to improve the emotional well being of pigs and improve their resilience and performance. In one experiment the behavior of two groups of pigs provided intermittent play opportunities was compared to a c...

It's the time of year when many producers and agronomists are attending trade shows, industry meetings and annual general meetings hoping to gain some insights for the next growing season. Chuck Penner with Leftfield Commodity Research gave his outlook for the grains and oilseed markets at Western Canadian Crop Production Show in Saskatoon. He says he's not a predictor but rather spends time doing...

It’s no surprise to grain and oilseed producers that 2022 was a year of great uncertainty. The senior analyst with FarmLink Marketing Solutions Neil Townsend says the Russian invasion of Ukraine was a key market factor in the past year and any restrictions to the flow of grain out of Ukraine this year will have far reaching affects on commodity markets. Moving to the pork market, despite exception...

It's estimated soil salinity is affecting anywhere from five to 10 million acres on the Canadian Prairies. Establishing perennial forages is one of the top recommended methods to manage saline soils for the long term. At a Forage Crop Walk in northeast Saskatchewan where producer Harvey Heavin shared his story of how he converted 90 acres of poorly producing saline land to a productive forage crop...

Plenty of changes in fertilizer pricing in the past six month----with some products remaining high and others declining in price. Josh Linville with Fertilizer StoneX in the United States. This past summer there was a lot of concern about the potential for even higher fertilizer prices---considering the war between Russia and Ukraine. Linville talks about the lower prices for phosphate, potash and...

A prairie farm group is concerned about the federal government's recently announced, “Sustainable Agriculture Strategy.” Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister Marie Claude Bibeau says the sector needs to work together to develop a roadmap to improving environmental performance. Western Canadian Wheat Growers President Gunter Jochum will share what is most worrying to their organization about the proc...

Oat prices fell sharply just prior to harvest as it became apparent the 2022 crop was going to produce large yields. Good rain at just the right time in prime growing regions of eastern Saskatchewan and western Manitoba contributed to the good crop. Jonathan Dreidger with Leftfield Commodity Research shares what is happening with the oat prices and what to expect in the coming months. Statistics C...

The Canadian Seed Growers Association (CSGA) has a new affiliation agreement with its seven regional branches. The agreement includes the Alberta-British Columbia Seed Growers, Saskatchewan Seed Growers, and the Manitoba Seed Grower Associations. CSGA Executive Director Doug Miller says with the industry going through a seed industry modernization initiative it's important to have unity and a clea...

Everyone knows the importance of doing things in a safe manner on the farm. Sometimes it's hard to get started creating a strategy. Dean Anderson is the Strategic Advisor for Agriculture with Workplace Safety and Prevention Services. Dean will talk about some of the greatest risk factors on the farm, how to avoid injury and how to create a farm safety plan for your own operation. The Saskatchewan...

Research conducted by the University of Saskatchewan is looking at the effect of feed processing on ergot toxicity. The work is expected to change how feed samples are analysed. Monogastric Nutrition assistant professor Dr. Denice Beaulieu says researchers are examining the ability of heat and steam to alter a certain ratio of the ergot. The Canadian Agricultural Hall of Fame officially welcomed f...

The first ever Canadian Farmer Sentiment Index suggests there is short term optimism tempered by longer term concerns. About 3,000 farms across the country have agreed to enter information into the data base---so they can participate in the nationwide survey. Justin Funk is the managing partner of Agri Studies. He'll share more on the 900 farmers and ranchers that answered last month's survey whic...

4-H Canada Leadership Excellence Awards of Distinction (LEAD) recognize outstanding members who show 4-H values in the way they live their lives. The awards honour youth who have become exceptional leaders through their 4-H experience, and who share the best of themselves with their community. Kate Axton from Saskatchewan is one of the recipients of the $20,000 scholarship for her post secondary e...

The Western Canadian Wheat Growers Association continues its effort to fight Ottawa's proposed fertilizer emission reduction policy. The federal government wants to reduce those emissions by 30 percent by the year 2030. Wheat Growers President Gunter Jochum believes it could result in a food shortage.   Over the last several years, there have seen more cow/calf producers try their hand at direct-t...

The ongoing war in Ukraine is creating problems for two major exporters of potash fertilizer. Prior to the conflict, Russia and its close ally---Belarus----accounted for a combined 40 percent of global potash production. Both countries are going through challenges selling their product. Nutrien has six potash mines in Saskatchewan and is in the process of expanding production at three of those min...

The two major railways are having a more difficult time filling hopper car orders and the number of unfulfilled orders is increasing rapidly. The Ag Transport Coalition monitors railway performance on behalf of grain companies and various producer organizations. The organization is concerned the rail companies are falling behind on rail car deliveries. However, the assistant vice president of grai...

Indonesia is taking steps to control a Foot and Mouth Disease outbreak in that country. The Swine Health Information Center monitors domestic and global diseases and provides monthly surveillance reports. Center Associate Director Dr. Megan Niederwerder says Foot and Mouth Disease virus has been on the radar for global detection since May because there have been substantial outbreaks, particularly...

A new survey shows most farmers believe a proposed fertilizer emissions target will not remain voluntary. That was one of the findings of poll of 546 Western Canadian farmers. The first question was "Do you agree with the federal government's 30 percent fertilizer emission reduction target by the end of the decade?” 72 percent strongly disagreed. Another question on the way emissions were calculat...

Saskatchewan produces 30 per cent of Canada’s beef cattle, but there are no federally inspected packing facilities in the province. The Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association (SSGA) believes the province and its producers are selling all that potential value out-of-province and at a discount. SSGA released a study into the feasibility of building and operating a packing plant in Saskatchewan. The...

Bank of Canada increased its policy interest rate by 75 basis points to 3 and a quarter per cent. J.P. Gervais, Chief Economist with Farm Credit Canada says expect more interest rate increases before the end of the year as the Bank of Canada tries to tame inflation. He says with even with higher interest rates and inflation for farm inputs, most farmers should still be in the black. A veterinary c...