It’s no surprise to grain and oilseed producers that 2022 was a year of great uncertainty.

The senior analyst with FarmLink Marketing Solutions Neil Townsend says the Russian invasion of Ukraine was a key market factor in the past year and any restrictions to the flow of grain out of Ukraine this year will have far reaching affects on commodity markets.

Moving to the pork market, despite exceptionally high feed costs, 2022 was among the top three year most profitable years for North American pork producers over the past decade. 

The Director of Risk Management with HAMS Marketing Services Tyler Fulton explains why and what is in the forecast for 2023.

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It's estimated soil salinity is affecting anywhere from five to 10 million acres on the Canadian Prairies. Establishing perennial forages is one of the top recommended methods to manage saline soils for the long term.

At a Forage Crop Walk in northeast Saskatchewan where producer Harvey Heavin shared his story of how he converted 90 acres of poorly producing saline land to a productive forage crop which is baled each year by another farmer. Agri-environmental specialist Charlotte Ward also shared some thoughts on the many forage blends that are available and choosing variety will depend a great deal on what the crop will be used for.

Many farmers have diversified their operations.

But one farm southwest of Saskatoon has several revenue streams including crops, livestock, part ownership in a Saskatoon restaurant and operating a summer day camp for elementary school students.

Arlie LaRoche is the owner-operator of Farm One Forty and she will share more about the farm and its various ventures.

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Plenty of changes in fertilizer pricing in the past six month----with some products remaining high and others declining in price. Josh Linville with Fertilizer StoneX in the United States.

This past summer there was a lot of concern about the potential for even higher fertilizer prices---considering the war between Russia and Ukraine. Linville talks about the lower prices for phosphate, potash and urea---but the same cannot be said for anhydrous or urea ammonium nitrate.

Canada's Food Price Report predicts the average family of four will be spending an additional $1,065 on food next year---which works out to a 5 to 7 percent increase.

The report is an annual collaboration between four Canadian Universities---including the University of Saskatchewan. USask Associate professor Stuart Smythe says on-farm and processing costs are rising---but other things are adding to the bill as well.

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A prairie farm group is concerned about the federal government's recently announced, “Sustainable Agriculture Strategy.” Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister Marie Claude Bibeau says the sector needs to work together to develop a roadmap to improving environmental performance.

Western Canadian Wheat Growers President Gunter Jochum will share what is most worrying to their organization about the process.

Bill C-21 and its recent amendments will criminalize Saskatchewan residents. That according to the Ray Orb the president of the Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities.

He says Bill C-21 does nothing to target the illegal use of firearms; instead, it targets lawfully licensed firearms owners and their legally acquired firearms.

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Oat prices fell sharply just prior to harvest as it became apparent the 2022 crop was going to produce large yields. Good rain at just the right time in prime growing regions of eastern Saskatchewan and western Manitoba contributed to the good crop.

Jonathan Dreidger with Leftfield Commodity Research shares what is happening with the oat prices and what to expect in the coming months.

Statistics Canada cut its final canola production estimate by nearly one million tonnes compared to the September estimate which surprised the trade. The wheat estimate is also lower.

Ken Ball with P.I. Financial in Winnipeg will have his reaction to the final crop estimates.

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The Canadian Seed Growers Association (CSGA) has a new affiliation agreement with its seven regional branches. The agreement includes the Alberta-British Columbia Seed Growers, Saskatchewan Seed Growers, and the Manitoba Seed Grower Associations.

CSGA Executive Director Doug Miller says with the industry going through a seed industry modernization initiative it's important to have unity and a clear message


Overall demand for farm equipment is projected to remain strong into 2023, despite rising interest rates and a weakening Canadian US exchange rate.

Farm Credit Canada's 2023 outlook for the farm equipment market indicates demand is being supported by strong farm cash receipts, even with commodity prices softening from peak levels. FCC Chief agricultural economist J.P. Gervais believes as supply chains recover, equipment manufacturers are expected to increase the delivery of new equipment orders. But inventory levels will remain below pre-pandemic levels and will remain tight beyond 2024.

Gervais will talk about the farm equipment sector and the recent food and beverage report.

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Everyone knows the importance of doing things in a safe manner on the farm. Sometimes it's hard to get started creating a strategy. Dean Anderson is the Strategic Advisor for Agriculture with Workplace Safety and Prevention Services.

Dean will talk about some of the greatest risk factors on the farm, how to avoid injury and how to create a farm safety plan for your own operation.

The Saskatchewan Wheat Development Commission and the Saskatchewan Winter Cereals Development Commission’s are considering amalgamating. Resolutions were passed in January so the two organizations could explore options for amalgamation. An initial online survey found producers were overwhelmingly in favor of exploring options for amalgamation.

Carol Ann Patterson with the winter cereals commission will talk about the process and why its important for farmers to participate.

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Research conducted by the University of Saskatchewan is looking at the effect of feed processing on ergot toxicity. The work is expected to change how feed samples are analysed.

Monogastric Nutrition assistant professor Dr. Denice Beaulieu says researchers are examining the ability of heat and steam to alter a certain ratio of the ergot.

The Canadian Agricultural Hall of Fame officially welcomed four new inductees at a ceremony in Toronto as part of the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair. Hall president Ted Menzies says it was an extra special event as the organization celebrated its 60th Anniversary.

He will tell us about the four outstanding individuals.

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The first ever Canadian Farmer Sentiment Index suggests there is short term optimism tempered by longer term concerns. About 3,000 farms across the country have agreed to enter information into the data base---so they can participate in the nationwide survey. Justin Funk is the managing partner of Agri Studies.

He'll share more on the 900 farmers and ranchers that answered last month's survey which contained a series of questions, and how they can access to the numbers so they can see how their responses stack up with their counterparts.

There is growing interest globally in Canada's plant-based food sector. Last week delegates from around the world took part in the first Plant Forward conference in Toronto. The event was organized by Protein Industries Canada, Pulse Canada, and Plant-Based Foods of Canada.

PIC CEO Bill Greuel will share more about the conference and how the international guests responded to the information shared during the event.

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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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