Fertilizer is a major input cost of grain production, and increasing or volatile pricing puts pressure on farm margins and raises questions about long-term supply chain control. For Canadian farmers, one grassroots option is taking shape in Saskatchewan: Genesis Fertilizers, a proposed farmer-owned nitrogen fertilizer plant. But turning that vision into a reality requires capital,... Read More
Category: Western Canada
Findings of a new study suggests that Canadian prairie oat growers have got a good story to tell when it comes to the sustainability rating of the crops they grow. The Prairie Oat Growers Association (POGA) points to research from the Global Institute for Food Security (GIFS) at the University of Saskatchewan, which confirms that... Read More
Bunge's takeover of Viterra is a done deal as of this week. While more than two years have passed since it was announced, there are still some big questions to be answered regarding the integration of the company with the most grain elevators in Canada into the company that owns the most oilseed crushing facilities... Read More
Persistent wildfire smoke is not only reducing visibility and air quality, but it’s also reshaping Western Canada’s summer weather outlook. Meteorologist Matt Makens, of Makens Weather, says sustained smoke and heat in the atmosphere create feedback loops that actively shape weather patterns. The presence of smoke in the atmosphere changes how rainfall develops, as water... Read More
Think sclerotinia won't show up just because it's been dry? Last year proved that even after a string of droughts, one wet window is all this sneaky disease needs to make a comeback. After several years of drought, many Prairie canola growers were caught off guard by sclerotinia in 2024. “Last year… was the first... Read More
Saskatchewan Pulse Growers (SPG) will reduce its levy rate on pulse and soybean crops from 0.67 per cent to 0.60 per cent, effective August 1, 2025. The change, approved by the Agri-Food Council, comes after several years of steady pulse acreage and strong prices that have led to levy revenues consistently exceeding SPG’s spending. The... Read More
On June 30, 2025, the Alberta Forage Industry Network (AFIN) will officially close up shop after 15 years, passing its mandate to the Agricultural Research & Extension Council of Alberta (ARECA). Alan Hall, executive director of ARECA, says in an interview with RealAgriculture's Amber Bell that this transition is “a good fit” as ARECA is... Read More
The Saskatchewan Stock Growers Foundation (SSGF) has marked a major milestone with the signing of its first-ever term conservation easement—a move that could reshape how grassland conservation fits into ranchers’ long-term plans. Unlike traditional, perpetual easements that stay on a land title forever, these new agreements allow for flexibility with term lengths starting at 25... Read More
It may be early in the season, but don’t let that fool you; what’s happening (or not happening) in your canola fields right now could shape the entire crop. From crusted soil to cutworms and everything in between, early scouting offers the first clues to what’s really going on below the surface. In this episode... Read More
Tight supplies and steady demand continue to underpin strength in the canola market, even as global trade tensions swirl. With futures contracts recently hitting new highs, Canadian growers are navigating both pricing opportunities and risk management challenges as we near the summer stretch. In this RealAg Markets discussion, Brian Comeault with Ireland Comeault Lafoy shares... Read More