Four Saskatchewan farm organizations have asked the provincial government to examine the proposed merger of Bunge and Viterra. The Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan, SaskCanola, SaskWheat and SaskBarley wrote to agriculture minister David Marit asking for a “thorough risk assessment.” The Saskatchewan government said it is closely watching developments but this falls under federal jurisdiction. […] Read more
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Canola counts on agronomy, future innovation
Sector is convinced that improved agronomy in the short term and big innovations in the 2030s will push yields higher
In early October, Western Producer reporter Robert Arnason spoke with Curtis Rempel, vice-president of crop production and innovation with the Canola Council of Canada. The topic was canola yield gains over the last two decades and what will drive gains in the future. RA: What happened in the 2000s, which led to significant yield increases […] Read more
Roundup at the ranch – photo essay
Walker Farms comprises two operations near Borden, Sask.: G Double Bar Farms is the cattle side, run by Peggy and Darrel Walker, while Lazer Enterprises, the grain operation run by their son, Lance, and his wife, Linsdey, farm around 9,000 acres of cropland. The farm recently moved 1,600 cattle to either fresh pasture or recently […] Read more
Farmers watch as verticillium extends its reach in Sask.
The canola disease appears to be moving west and north after being found in eastern part of the province last year
Anecdotal evidence suggests that verticillium is moving north and west across Saskatchewan. In 2022, Saskatchewan Agriculture staff discovered that verticillium stripe, a disease of canola, was commonplace in the eastern part of the province. This fall, producers in other regions have found the disease in their canola. “I’ve got verticillium in Davidson like you wouldn’t […] Read more
Much-needed rain falls as harvest nears the end
Most crops have gone into the bin across the Prairies, although work continues on late-stage crops such as corn and flax
Ron Krahn, a Manitoba canola farmer, beat the rain last week as he finished up his last few acres and called harvest 2023 officially over. He described the season as better than expected with yields tied for best ever on his farm near Rivers, Man. “We had some substantial hail this year on about half […] Read more
Bunge shareholders approve Viterra deal
REUTERS — Shareholders of global grains merchant and oilseeds processor Bunge approved the company’s acquisition of Viterra during a shareholder meeting on Oct. 5, Bunge said in a statement. The merger, which will create a company worth $34 billion including debt, is expected to be finalized in mid-2024 after closing conditions are met and regulators […] Read more
Agriculture Canada plant breeder committed to rye
Researcher is determined to do what it takes to make sure the crop remains a viable option for prairie farmers
This is part of an ongoing series of stories exploring rye, the crop, as it becomes Rye, the whisky. Sometimes it takes a mad scientist to bring something new to life. “My friends say I am obsessed with this crop improvement,” said Raja Ragupathy, an Agriculture Canada plant breeder in Lethbridge. Other stories in this […] Read more
VIDEO: Father of canola leaves legacy of green and gold
The University of Manitoba has collected extensive archives remembering the researcher who helped develop the crop
Every day, thousands of people pass the Baldur Stefansson bust in the centre of the University of Manitoba’s main campus. The U of M is extremely proud of the renowned crop developer, known jointly with Keith Downey as the “father of canola.” His bust was the very first to be placed at Innovation Plaza, facing […] Read more
Faith in StatCan continues to nosedive
The chasm between federal and provincial lentil yield estimates continues to grow. Stat Publishing said markets “received something of a shock” from Saskatchewan Agriculture in its Oct. 5 crop report. The report pegged the province’s average lentil yield at 1,305 pounds per acre, which is well above the 931 lb. per acre forecast by Statistics […] Read more
First frost makes for ideal time to tackle thistle
The weed can be particularly troublesome in pastures facing multi-year drought, but experts say it’s not too late to act
Canada thistle is an especially pesky weed estimated to cost producers billions each year in lost revenue. Left unchecked, its roots reach deep into the ground and into the pockets of ranchers. Mark Versluys, specialties business leader with Corteva Agriscience, said Canada thistle has been an issue this year as drought conditions continue to plague […] Read more
