UPDATED – April 25, 2024 – 0840 CST – Comments from Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault added. WINNIPEG — Federal environment minister Steven Guilbeault stood in the House of Commons April 15 and said he has been speaking with farmers from Alberta, Nova Scotia and elsewhere and found they are more concerned about the impacts of […] Read more
News
VIDEO: Environment minister claims carbon tax support
Farm groups raise questions after Steven Guilbeault tells House producers don't appear to have carbon tax concerns
Turkey, Russia to remain strong players in durum market
SASKATOON — A country that emerged as a surprise competitor to Canadian durum growers last year will likely be at it again in 2024-25. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) is forecasting that Turkey will produce 4.4 million tonnes of the crop, a 10 percent increase over last year. Related stories: Adequate […] Read more
Large southern Alberta water users agree to reduce water use in severe drought
Users include participating irrigation districts, municipalities and industries
Thirty-eight of the largest and oldest water licensees in southern Alberta — including irrigation districts — have agreed to reduce their water use if severe drought conditions develop this spring or summer. Described by the province of Alberta as “the largest water-sharing initiative in Alberta’s history,” these agreements are intended to ensure Albertans receive the […] Read more
Plentiful barley supplies may pressure prices
SASKATOON — Canadian barley supplies are likely to be burdensome in 2024-25, according to a market outlook published by the Saskatchewan Barley Development Commission. Supplies are forecast to be in the range of 10.7 to 11.7 million tonnes. Related stories: “This is well above the 2023-24 supplies at 9.65 million tonnes and the five-year average […] Read more
Rail strike looms
Glacier FarmMedia – Another rail strike could be drawing near. Members of the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference (TCRC) are in the middle of a strike vote. The vote comes after three collective agreements, covering CN and CPKC engineers and conductors as well as rail traffic controllers at CPCK, expired December 31. The TCRC electronic strike […] Read more
VIDEO: WP 100 Webinar Series – Biologicals in Crop Production
As part of The Western Producer’s 100 Farmers, 100 Questions 100 Years Series, we asked farmers for their thoughts and concerns, and explored the management practices they are using on their farms. In the second session of this webinar series, which was broadcast live on April 18, 2024, The Western Producer’s Robin Booker chats with […] Read more
BRICS grain cartel unlikely
SASKATOON — Russia is spearheading efforts to establish an OPEC of the grain trade, but industry officials in North America doubt it will happen or that it will have much influence if it does. Russia is urging the BRICS trade alliance to form an inter-bloc grain exchange, according to an article published by World Grain. […] Read more
Pesticide damage seen in small-town Saskatchewan
WINNIPEG – In mid-August last year, people in Speers, Sask., noticed a spray plane flying over the town and nearby for three consecutive days. The plane was applying pesticide to fields around Speers, a community of 70 people about 100 kilometres northwest of Saskatoon. The residents didn’t think much about it because spray planes are […] Read more
Grain growers present Ottawa with policy suggestions
The Road to 2050 document was developed with grain farmers across Canada as part of national net-zero plan
REGINA — Grain Growers of Canada has released its recommendations to the federal government on how it can help farmers be both profitable and sustainable. The Road to 2050 for Canada’s Grain Sector was two years in the making as the organization consulted with its members and agreed on 10 policy recommendations. It was initiated […] Read more
Spray drift concerns spark SARM resolution
Rural politicians asked for more teeth in regulations and for up to 12 months to report the damage from pesticide drift
REGINA — Rural residents who suspect spray drift has damaged their property are supposed to contact the applicator as soon as possible. But the current 30-day window isn’t long enough to determine whether or how much damage occurred, said a resolution at last month’s Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities convention. The resolution from the RM […] Read more
