Consultations are beginning on the next five-year Canadian agricultural policy framework, but how different will it be from previous versions? Delegates to last week’s Canadian Federation of Agriculture annual meeting want the short-term AgriStability enhancements proposed by the federal government. Longer-term changes are less clear. AgriStability has been under review for some time and federal […] Read more
Karen Briere
Stories by Karen Briere
Campaign heats up to reform Vancouver port
Concerns about rising rents prompt Western Grain Elevator Association and prairie provinces to lobby feds for changes
The Western Grain Elevator Association has stepped up its push for governance changes at the Port of Vancouver. Executive director Wade Sobkowich said efforts to lobby the federal transport minister for legislative change have not worked. A campaign backed by the three prairie provinces is underway. The WGEA asked former transport minister Marc Garneau in […] Read more
Pea-cereal mixtures perform well in trials
Lodging in peas was reduced and protein content was higher in the mixes, but questions remain about nitrogen fixation
Pea-cereal mixtures are becoming more common for greenfeed production in Western Canada, but limited agronomic information is available. Bill Biligetu from the University of Saskatchewan said adding forage peas into a mix with a forage barley or oats can lead to benefits. “Most people want to add some sort of legume fertilizer so they can […] Read more
Legumes called beneficial pasture addition
Benefits include a boost in production, improved palatability, nitrogen enhancement and increased carbon storage
Incorporating legumes into grass pastures boosts the pasture and also provides good feed for the late-summer slump in plant production, said Dr. Bart Lardner from the University of Saskatchewan. He told the Saskatchewan Beef Industry Conference that grazing during August and September, when plants get dry and mature, can be a concern. Including a legume […] Read more
Program designed to recruit more rural vets
Saskatchewan Cattlemen’s Association commits $18,000 annually to help subsidize summer job wages for vet students
Courtney Orsen already knows she is heading to rural Saskatchewan when she is done veterinary college this spring, thanks at least in part to a program designed to recruit more rural veterinarians. The student from the Hanley, Sask., area participated last summer in a preceptorship offered by the Saskatchewan Cattlemen’s Association, Saskatchewan Veterinary Medical Association […] Read more
Sask. announces pandemic research funding
The Saskatchewan government is giving VIDO $15 million to continue pandemic research, as long as Ottawa provides funding, too. The Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization at the University of Saskatchewan has been working on vaccines for COVID-19, and Saskatchewan premier Scott Moe said the money should go toward a new facility to position VIDO as […] Read more
Sask. crop insurance coverage increases
High commodity prices and increased yield coverage have pushed Saskatchewan crop insurance coverage to record levels for 2021. The program for the upcoming growing season was announced Feb. 23 in Regina. It includes coverage of $273 per acre, up from $224 last year. Premiums are also going up to an average of $8.59 per acre […] Read more
Agribition releases top 50 industry leaders list
Canadian Western Agribition is celebrating Canada’s Ag Day today with the release of the winners of its campaign to find the top 50 industry leaders. The list is based on nominations submitted from across the country. The nominations were whittled down to the top 10 finalists in five categories by a panel of judges, including […] Read more
Dairy compensation payments arrive
About half of Canada’s dairy farmers have received their second trade compensation payments from the federal government, said agriculture minister Marie-Claude Bibeau last week. Speaking to the Dairy Farmers of Canada annual meeting, she said 5,054 farmers had received $267.1 million so far from the second year of the Dairy Direct Payments Program. There are […] Read more
Misinformation creates food fear
Food bullying creates fear, shame and questions that farmers and ranchers have to be able to handle without becoming bullies themselves, says Michele Payn, a dairy farmer and founder of Cause Matters Corp. in Indiana. The professional speaker who specializes in agriculture said organizations and influencers shame people for food choices while creating fear about […] Read more
