National organization strives to maintain relationship with China, India as diplomatic tensions with the two nations rise
REGINA — Canada’s pulse industry is working hard to retain Chinese pea imports, farmers attending the Saskatchewan Pulse Growers annual meeting heard. The country is an important market for Canadian peas, but that market needs attention in the face of government inattention and competition from Russia, said Pulse Canada vice-president of communications Jeff English. China […] Read more
Karen Briere
Stories by Karen Briere
Prairie farmers’ margins predicted to be average in 2025
Growers face all kinds of uncertainty heading into seeding, but tight global inventories, production issues are supportive
REGINA — A market analyst is forecasting average margins for western Canadian growers this year. Mark Tully, Nutrien’s senior market researcher, said global grain fundamentals are supportive because of tight non-North American inventories and production issues. However, the large 2024 North American crop and uncertainties in the trade landscape point to a return to average […] Read more
FMD case in Germany shuts borders
REGINA — Canada has closed its border to some German products after a Jan. 10 outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in water buffalo. Leigh Rosengren, the Canadian Cattle Association’s chief veterinary officer, said the case was found in a small backyard flock of 14 water buffalo just outside Berlin. Three head were dead, and testing determined […] Read more
Canadian tariff response called poorly handled
Trade observer says exporters, particularly those in agriculture, should be thinking further ahead and preparing
REGINA —Donald Trump’s promise to impose tariffs on all imports from Canada and Mexico could affect potash prices for American farmers. The president-elect takes office Jan. 20 and has said 25 per cent tariffs are coming on all products. However, a tariff on potash could place his own farmers at a disadvantage because they rely […] Read more
FCL shelves renewable diesel, canola crush projects
REGINA — Federated Co-operatives Ltd. today announced it is not going ahead with its planned Integrated Agriculture Complex at Regina. The company said the two main projects within the complex have been “paused.” According to a news release, regulatory and political uncertainty, potential shifts in low-carbon public policy and escalating costs are the reasons the […] Read more
Dry weather affects crop production in other countries
While Prairie producers are expecting good growing conditions this year, other countries currently struggle with dryness
REGINA — Dry conditions are affecting South American crops, which in turn will affect markets, says agricultural meteorologist Drew Lerner. The recent bump in corn and soybean prices has come from drier weather in Argentina and Brazil, the World Weather Inc. president told a Jan. 7 webinar. Uruguay and parts of Paraguay are also dry. […] Read more
Meteorologist predicts better growing season
Long-time weather forecaster says drought conditions that caused problems in 2024 aren’t expected to occur this year
REGINA — Drew Lerner says Prairie farmers can expect better growing conditions in 2025. The World Weather Inc. president said North America is moving away from multiple drought years due to several factors. The 22-year solar cycle, in particular, is peaking, which causes weather patterns to change, he told a webinar sponsored by Dutton Farms […] Read more
Crop Production Show 2025: Producers at SaskWheat AGM question proposed building
Those attending the 2025 Crop Production Show and the SaskWheat annual meeting asked why Cereals Canada needs the Global Agriculture Technology Exchange
Saskatoon — Producers are concerned about the need for, and cost of, a new building for Cereals Canada’s technology and research centre. However, the organization’s chief executive officer, Dean Dias, defended the Global Agricultural Technology Exchange, proposed for downtown Winnipeg. He said if Canada wants to continue to be a top exporter and preferred choice […] Read more
Beef sector works on SRM rules
REGINA — The Canadian beef sector continues to push for harmonized specified risk material standards with the United States. A new risk analysis has been done that stakeholders hope will result in a regulatory policy that helps them be more competitive. The industry has been working toward the goal of harmonization since the country was […] Read more
Environmental focus hurt committee: member
Agricultural groups say proposed Sustainable Agriculture Strategy didn’t focus enough on economic and social pillars
REGINA — The breakdown within the Sustainable Agriculture Strategy’s advisory committee was not a big surprise for Tyler McCann. The managing director of the Canadian Agri-Food Policy Institute, who had an advisory role on the committee, said there were issues right from the start. He noted the irony of speaking with a reporter on the […] Read more
