Wild pigs are an invasive species that damage crops, and the environment. As well they are at high risk for the spread of disease. That's why the Governments of Canada and Manitoba, in collaboration with Manitoba’s agricultural sector, launched the Squeal on Pigs campaign to inform the public about the damage caused by wild pigs and what to watch for in order to report sightings.

The coordinator for Squeal on Pigs Dr. Wayne Lees says the response from the public has been exceptional.

Farmers are being advised to make sure their agricultural insurance is up to date.

Farm equipment and out-buildings have been appreciating in value recently, and replacing them in the event of a loss, could become costly for those who don't have proper insurance.

Blair McClinton is the Farm Segment Director for SGI Canada.

He'll talk about importance of reviewing those insurance policies.

 

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More than ever consumers are curious about how and where their food is produced. Amy te Plate-Church is the Director of the U.S. based Center for Food Integrity.

She says consumer trends and developments in consumer perceptions have far reaching implications for farmers. She says some of the factor’s consumers consider when making purchasing decisions are changing.

The General Manager of Manitoba Pork is calling on governments to adopt an incentive rather than regulatory based approach to achieving environmental targets and sustainability goals.

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada's has completed consultations on a new sustainable agricultural strategy. Cam Dahl wrote an article for Manitoba community newspapers and Manitoba Pork's Chop Talk newsletter looking at the issue of sustainability. He says we are at a crossroads in terms of government policy, especially when it comes to the whole question of sustainability and environmental impact.

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A former president and CEO of the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers says the agriculture industry has been hurt by international activist and protest organizations. Tim McMillian, who was also a Saskatchewan cabinet minister in Brad Wall's government, is concerned these same groups are, more then ever before, turning their attention to the farming community.

Farmland values continued to trend higher in 2022 as demand for farmland remains high and available supply is low. Higher interest rates and farm input prices were offset by strong cash receipts, mitigating profitability pressures on the demand for farmland.

Farm Credit Canada says roughly 40 per cent of Canadian farmland area is rented as renting land is a business approach that offers financial flexibility because the financial cost of renting is often lower than buying.

FCC Chief Economist J.P. Gervais says study shows cash farmland rental rates are reflecting a slight increase from drought-stricken 2021 but remain lower than rates in 2020.

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Live cattle prices are at their highest point in eight years. Brenna Grant, the executive director of Canfax in Calgary, says the first quarter of 2023 has been a good one for both cow/calf producers and feedlots.

A smaller supply of live cattle in North America has forced processors to pay more for feeder cattle and slaughter cows.Brenna will discuss prospects for the rest of the year.

The aging demographic of producers may be the most significant issue facing the future of the livestock sector . . . but is only one of several areas of concern. Other challenges include providing access to capital for younger producers, improving business risk management programs and preventing the ongoing conversion of pastures into cropland.

Suggestions include paying livestock producers for storing carbon in the soil as well as providing a habitat for birds and wildlife.

Representatives from cattle, sheep and bison organizations participated in a Livestock Summit sponsored by the Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan.

 

Cattle producer Levi Hull shares his thoughts on the future of the industry.

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Farmers across the prairies are ready for the snow to disappear so they can start Plant 2023.

 

Three farmers from Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba talk to me about their seeding preparations and some of the issues they are concerned about facing the ag sector.

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Canadian Western Agribition’s Next Gen Mentorship Program was created to support the next generation of agriculture leaders. The program matches eight young leaders in the agriculture industry with professionals for an 18-month mentorship where they gain skills and experiences to advance their careers.

David McTaggart is one of the mentees in the fourth cohort. He has been partnered with Protein Industries Canada CEO Bill Greuel. I'll talk to David about what he has gained from being involved in the program.

The aging demographic of producers may be the most significant issue facing the future of the livestock sector . . . but is only one of several areas of concern. Representatives from cattle, sheep and bison organizations participated in a Livestock Summit sponsored by the Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan. 

A young cattle producer from eastern Saskatchewan Levi Hull talked about some of the challenges including access to capital for new producers, improving business risk management programs and preventing the ongoing conversion of pastures into cropland.

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The Canadian Roundtable for Sustainable Crops (CRSC) is nearing completion of a document that highlights the sustainable practices used on Canadian farms.

The goal is to develop a tool that can be used to convey these messages around sustainability and quality to domestic and international buyers, as well as the Canadian public and government.

Jason Lenz is the CRSC chair and a farmer from Alberta. He says the first attempt included seven different modules.  That's been reduced to four with the draft outlining key messages and practices under each of these categories.

The Canadian Cattle Association is looking for its next crop of individuals for the Young Leaders program.

Jessica Radau is the CCA's Youth Leadership Co-ordinator.

She says the overall objective is to use the program as a built-in industry succession planning tool and designed for 18 to 35 year olds with an interest in any aspect of the cattle industry.

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Later this year, the first three students will graduate from the Distance Delivery Option of the Registered Veterinary Technologist Program at SaskPolyTech in Saskatoon, Sask.

 

These three students were able to take most of their classes online, as well as gaining experience at a local veterinary clinic that provides large animal care services.

 

Rural areas of Western Canada are not only experiencing a shortage of veterinarians . . . there is also a need for Registered Veterinary Technologists or RVT's. RVT's perform many dutie s and provide valuable assistance to veterinarians.23-year-old Mollie Hastings from Weyburn was the first student accepted into the Distance Delivery Option of the RVT program.  She will talk about her experience.

The Prairie Grain Development Committee recently held its annual meeting in Banff. The group evaluated potential new breeding variety lines and recommended the best of the best for registration. This year the Pulse and Special Crops Committee recommended 16 new lentil lines, 13 pea lines, 5 faba bean and 5 dry bean lines for registration.

Dr. Glen Hawkins is a Senior Manager and Agronomist with DL Seeds. He also chairs that committee and says there's some great potential coming forward.

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4-H Canada Leadership Excellence Awards of Distinction (LEAD) recognize outstanding members who show 4-H values in the way they live their lives.The awards honour youth who have become exceptional leaders through their 4-H experience, and who share the best of themselves with their community.

Kate Axton from Saskatchewan is one of the recipients of the $20,000 scholarship for her post secondary education. Kate will talk the award and her passion for agriculture.

Kendall Wicks was looking for a story about combining to share with her son. When she couldn't find one, she decided to write her own story.

A Harvest Story is now part of the Agriculture in the Classroom-Saskatchewan resources.Kendall will share the process of getting the story printed and the response she has received so far.

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Canadian's dependence on exports makes the prevention and preparation for foreign animal disease critical.

In response to the threat of African Swine Fever, the Saskatchewan government and the Saskatchewan Pork Development Board have contributed one million dollars to support swine disease mitigation, including adding a dedicated cull line into the North 49 sow processing facility being built in Moose Jaw by Donald's Fine Foods.

Sask Pork General Manager Mark Ferguson says this is one part of Canada's effort to be prepared.

Research scientists are working on a couple of important projects....one is to develop a weed competitiveness rating for barley...the other is examining effectiveness of plant growth regulators in cereal crops.

Breanne Tideman is a weed research scientist with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada in Lacombe, Alberta.

She presented some of her work at a recent conference in Saskatchewan

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