REGINA — The Senate amended Bill C-234 Dec. 5, leaving its future very much in doubt. By a narrow 40-39 margin, senators voted in favour of Independent Senators Group Pierre Dalphond’s amendment to remove heating and cooling of barns from the bill that would have exempted propane and natural gas from carbon pricing. An exemption […] Read more
News
Record potato crop harvested
There will be no shortage of french fries in 2024. Canada and the United States produced a massive crop of potatoes in 2023, so french fry processing plants in Alberta, Manitoba and elsewhere will need to operate at full capacity to work through the huge stockpile of spuds. Statistics Canada data, released in early December, […] Read more
Farm expenses explode
About 99 percent of farmers are already aware of this fact, but growing crops and raising livestock has become very expensive. In a report on farm income released November 28, Statistics Canada said that operating expenses for farmers (after rebates) hit $73.3 billion in 2022. The cost of fertilizer, feed, fuel, seed and other inputs […] Read more
Analysts predict larger canola carryout
SASKATOON — Analysts think Canada’s 2023-24 canola carryout will be way bigger than the government is forecasting. Exports have been sluggish this year, trailing last year’s pace by 18 percent. Marlene Boersch, managing partner of Mercantile Consulting Venture, has dropped her export number to 7.5 million tonnes, well below last year’s 7.95 million. She has […] Read more
Urea forecast suggests short-term price declines, but recover later
SASKATOON — The short-term outlook for urea calls for falling prices but the medium-term forecast is the opposite, according to Argus Media. “Prices are coming under pressure,” Sophie Mason, manager of nitrogen analytics with the firm, said during a recent webinar. Limited demand is going to be the key market factor over the next couple […] Read more
VIDEO: Simmental, Hereford top show
REGINA — Canadian Western Agribition concluded with tears, cheers, hugs and handshakes as the judges selected the Beef Supreme champions Nov. 25. Emotions ran high as brothers Ryley and Toby Noble, from Black Gold Simmentals of Lloydminster, Sask., celebrated their Supreme champion female, GVR Miss Peppa 21J with heifer calf at side, Black Gold/Greenwood Peppa […] Read more
Below-average precipitation forecast
November brought little relief for producers living through dry conditions across Alberta. Precipitation remains rare and many mountain snowpack stations are reporting below average levels, as 51 water shortage advisories stretch across the province, north to south. Seasonal forecasts predict little reprieve in the next three months as an El Nino weather system moves in. […] Read more
Parts of cattle country in ‘emergency situation’ for moisture
Federal and provincial governments are trying to reduce sell-offs of cattle breeding stock due to widespread drought
Cattle producers are adapting to dry conditions persisting across the Prairies but the drought is pushing their ingenuity to the limit. “We haven’t grown any grass — virtually zero native pasture grew in 2023,” said Brad Osadczuk of Jenner, Alta. “We are pretty good at carrying over from the previous year but we’re down to […] Read more
First Nation establishes market garden
Riverside Market Garden, operated by Flying Dust First Nation, started in 2009, with two people and an old alfalfa field. Today it employs about 20 people, plus summer students, provides food for the community and wholesalers, and gives youth a chance to learn about agriculture. Other Agribition coverage: VIDEO: Simmental, Hereford top show Strong sales […] Read more
Strong sales highlight 52nd Agribition, helped by weather
REGINA — A Black Angus bull calf was the high seller among the many sales at Canadian Western Agribition last week. The bull, Haroldson’s AH Alpine 271L, was consigned by Haroldson’s from Wawota, Sask., who are long-time Polled Hereford breeders. Elk Ridge Farms from Rossburn, Man., bought a two-thirds interest and full possession in the […] Read more
