The Grasslands Conservation Initiative is the product of joint discussions between the Canadian Cattle Association, Ducks Unlimited Canada and the Nature Conservancy of Canada that were held in the lead-up to this year's Climate Change Conference (COP28) in United Arab Emirates.  |  File photo

Initiative hopes to protect grasslands

Three organizations with a history of conservation on the Prairies have launching a new initiative to protect one the most threatened agricultural and ecological landscapes in the West. The Grasslands Conservation Initiative is the product of joint discussions between the Canadian Cattle Association, Ducks Unlimited Canada and the Nature Conservancy of Canada that were held […] Read more

"[Manure is] our biggest expense, by far," Dallas Johnston, the Ag Ex show boss and long-time cattle producer from Brookdale, said in an interview in the show office. | Ed White photo

Manure has major role at Manitoba Ag Ex

BRANDON — Tens of thousands of times this week cows will plop, splat and splash patties in the barns, hallways and rings of the Keystone Centre. And thousands of times cattle producers, especially young ones with little family rank, will shovel and fork up the brown pies, carrying them to manure carts that will be […] Read more

Minneapolis wheat futures prices have been on a steady decline since early 2022, seemingly ignoring market fundamentals. | File photo

Wheat market ignores usual signals

Bruce Burnett did not mince words during a recent MarketsFarm webinar. “The wheat market has been brutal, there’s no question about that,” said the analyst. It has gone counter to what he was anticipating for 2023-24. Nearby Minneapolis wheat futures prices have been on a steady decline since early 2022, seemingly ignoring market fundamentals. Wheat […] Read more


It will be the first time in 20 years that farming has been unprofitable in the war-torn country. "And this is despite the fact that this year's favourable weather conditions supported agricultural production," the Ukrainian Agri Council said in a news release. | State Emergency Service of Ukraine photo via Reuters

Russian invasion takes toll on Ukrainian farmers

Ukraine’s farmers are “on the verge of bankruptcy,” says the country’s largest agricultural association. Crop production losses could reach US$3.2 billion, according to the pessimistic scenario of a financial forecast prepared by the Ukrainian Agri Council. Under the most optimistic scenario, where the country is once again able to fully use its Black Sea ports, […] Read more

Cody Veilleux moves steers along an alley to be weighed in mid-October when workers processed 950 calves at the Tongue Creek Ranch northwest of Longview, Alta. The livestock industry is welcoming a feed assistance program that was announced last week for Alberta’s beef producers. | Mike Sturk photo

Livestock changes demanded

Western provinces are tapping into the AgriRecovery program for the second time in three years as drought and fire continue to plague the region. The federal government will provide $219 million to Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Columbia, while the provinces will kick in a collective $125 million under the cost-splitting program designed to provide relief […] Read more


Russian grain exporting company Food Export Trade LLC (FET) signed what is reported to be a US$26 billion contract to supply China with 70 million tonnes of grain, pulses and oilseeds over the next 12 years. | Reuters photo

Russia-China grain deal raises concern

Competition may be heating up big time in one of Canada’s top markets for grain, oilseeds and pulses. Russian grain exporting company Food Export Trade LLC (FET) signed what is reported to be a US$26 billion contract to supply China with 70 million tonnes of grain, pulses and oilseeds over the next 12 years. The […] Read more

The premier said improving irrigation infrastructure, especially to be able to capture more mountain snowpack runoff, is a long-term solution to the issue. | Mike Sturk photo

Alta. vows to tackle water shortages

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says there will be public engagement on how to best manage provincial water supplies as the situation threatens to become worse if moisture levels in southern Alberta don’t improve. “My environment minister (Rebecca Shultz), who is responsible for water, is looking into this (and) is going to be engaging with the […] Read more

Camelina is a short season crop that matures within 85 to 100 days and is both drought and frost resistant.  |  Michael Robin photo

Camelina seen as option as drought continues

Company promotes crop as replacement for canola in parts of the Prairies where the crop underperforms due to dryness

Camelina might not be the first oilseed crop variety that comes to mind in Western Canada, but it may be one to consider as dry conditions continue in many parts of Alberta and Saskatchewan. Carlene Sarvas, Smart Earth Camelina Corp.’s production lead, said the oilseed does well in dryland and irrigated fields, but it’s also […] Read more


The Replacement Heifer Program offers producers a seven-year loan with a maximum two-year interest-only period with variable interest rates capped at prime plus 1.5 percent and all processing fees waived. | File photo

FCC hopes new loans stem herd reduction

Farm Credit Canada hopes to reduce the decline in beef cattle inventories by offering loans at minimal interest rates that producers can use to buy replacements or maintain their herds. The Replacement Heifer Program offers producers a seven-year loan with a maximum two-year interest-only period with variable interest rates capped at prime plus 1.5 percent […] Read more

The Agriculture Enlightened conference, held Oct. 26 in Winnipeg and hosted by EMILI, is trying to help Canada become a leader in digital and precision agriculture.  |  John Deere photo

Robots may help grain farmers diversify

Chuck Baresich, who owns an agricultural robotics business in Ontario, says controlling weeds with robots is probably best suited for high-value, horticultural crops in Canada. However, large-scale grain farmers could also use the technology if they think about it differently. Related story: Think outside the agriculture box for labour, ag and tech leaders say “Let’s […] Read more