I wrote a column last week that caused quite a stir, as was the intention. My tongue-in-cheek title did what it was intended to do: it sparked conversation and some lively debate, but it also got some tempers flaring over the increased regulatory burden farmers not just endure, but must also pay for. Read Top... Read More
Category: Western Canada
There's consensus that healthy soils with higher organic matter deliver a range of benefits from supplying nutrients, to building soil structure, to increasing water-holding capacity, and reducing erosion. But are enough farmers taking the required steps to increase soil health and organic matter? United States Department of Agriculture research agronomist Shannon Osbourne believes a stronger... Read More
Federal Agriculture Minister Lawrence MacAulay attended a Saskatchewan Pulse Growers' regional meeting in Regina on Monday and announced around $575 thousand in funding for pulse crop market development projects. The minister's visit comes amid market uncertainty for the Canadian pulse industry with India — Canada's largest export customer — having imposed 30 and 50 percent... Read More
One of the highlights of the National Cattlemen's Beef Association (NCBA) meeting every year are the Cattlefax market outlook presentations. Cattlefax certainly drove home the facts surrounding trade and how important it is for all U.S. agriculture at the cattle industry convention in Phoenix last week. Several Canadian attendees told us U.S. producers are optimistic... Read More
Here's a fun debate topic: if your tractor is capable of traveling at over 40 km/h, is it still a slow moving vehicle (SMV)? It sure isn't, and if you're traveling above 40 km/h and displaying a SMV sign, you're actually breaking the law. Last month at FarmSmart, RealAgriculture's own Peter Johnson was on-hand for... Read More
Are you looking to push your wheat yields higher, while maintaining access to good milling wheat markets? Alliance Seed is excited to launch its new CPSR variety, SY Rowyn. With excellent milling quality and exciting market options, SY Rowyn is a win for grain producers and marketers alike. All Around Performer Released as a Dark... Read More
Foam Lake, Saskatchewan, canola processor and biodiesel manufacturer Milligan Biofuels has entered receivership. The company, which was founded by a group of farmers as Milligan Bio-Tech in the '90s, is known for purchasing heated and off-grade canola from growers across Western Canada, producing biodiesel, fuel conditioners, road dust suppressant, rust inhibitors, and other canola derivatives.... Read More
Having shared office space and administrative staff since 2013, the Alberta Wheat Commission and Alberta Barley Commission are moving ahead under shared management. "This is a next logical step in our relationship," explains Tom Steve, general manager of Alberta Wheat, and now, Alberta Barley. The move to shared management, which was announced at FarmTech in... Read More
Lyle Stewart will continue to represent Saskatchewan agriculture in new Premier Scott Moe's provincial cabinet. After winning the Sask Party leadership contest last weekend, Moe was formally sworn in as Premier of Saskatchewan on Friday, after which he announced the appointment of his first cabinet. Stewart, who has served as ag minister in Saskatchewan since... Read More
The world of agribusiness mergers and acquisitions has been very busy in the last 24 months, especially in the seed and crop protection industry, with three large deals closing in a relatively short time period. In any deal, there are opportunities for third party companies to acquire assets that must be shed due to competition... Read More