Confidence in Canada's Food System at an all-time high according to new research from the Canadian Centre for Food Integrity (CCFI). Canadians are optimistic about their food supply, even as Canada's food system faces exceptional pressure and public scrutiny due to the global pandemic of COVID-19 in 2020.

President and CEO of CCFI John Jamieson will share the results of the latest public Trust Research Report, and how the Canadians are feeling about the overall direction of the food system.

Farmers are poised to play a key role in Canada's economic recovery.
The Canadian Federation of Independent Business submitted a list of concerns to the country's agriculture ministers, topping the list is needed improvements to Business Risk Management programs.

CFIB senior policy analyst Virginia Labbie says the focus should be on policies that will help drive growth in the agriculture and agri-food sector so that it can perform to its potential.

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Saskatchewan Open Farm Days provides a great opportunity for farmers to interact with and expand the public's understanding and trust of agriculture and to showcase the great agricultural products grown in the province.

Farm and Food Care Saskatchewan Executive Director Clinton Monchuk says expanding the understanding of those who do not live on a farm of what farmers do to produce food is becoming increasingly important as we move years and generations into the future.

The special announcement was made at Canada's Farm Show about the formation of a partnership between Startup TNT and Farm Credit Canada. Jesse Wiebe, Community Develop Lead with Startup TNT, made the announcement at the Launch Pad event.
He says FCC will support their Agri-Food programming with the goal of raising $500,000 for startup companies across Canada.

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Preliminary results of research show pigs can be stimulated into engaging in play. The Western College of Veterinary Medicine and the Prairie Swine Centre are exploring the prospects of using play to improve the emotional well being of pigs and improve their resilience and performance.

In one experiment the behavior of two groups of pigs provided intermittent play opportunities was compared to a control group. Dr. Yolande Seddon is an Assistant Professor Swine Behaviour and Welfare. She says the objective is to determine whether play could be stimulated and identify the physiological effects of play on the pigs.

All internationally trained veterinarians hoping to practice in Canada take their final hands-on test in Saskatoon. Three times a year, the Western College of Veterinary Medicine hosts the clinical proficiency examination process for international veterinarian graduates who want to be license in Canada. It is the only location in Canada that hosts this testing. Dr. Gillian Muir explains the testing process and how this is easing some of the stress of the veterinarian shortage across Canada.

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Farmers have a plethora of support available at their fingertips - from apps to websites.
But a very important national phone line has been launched to help farmers with their 
mental health. The Canadian Centre for Agricultural Well-being (CCAW) announced the launch of the National Farmer Wellness Network Crisis Line, an initiative designed to help farmers, farm families, and agricultural workers address the unique mental health challenges they face related to their operation.

It's being funded by Farm Credit Canada's $1.5-million investment over three years to 
cover costs associated with running a national phone line. Chief Executive Officer of CCAW Briana Hagen says work on the national line started when the organization was established in 2022.

Saskatchewan is known around the world for haskap---and the man largely responsible 
will be inducted into the Saskatchewan Agricultural Hall of Fame this spring.

For many years, Dr. Bob Bors was the head of the Fruit Program in the University of 
Saskatchewan’s Plant Sciences Department. He retired last year. He introduced nine sour cherries . . . but is best known for the 10 haskap varieties which are grown by home gardeners and commercial fruit producers across Canada, the United States and Europe.

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To enhance the ability of pork producers to be prepared to respond to a foreign animal disease outbreak, the Saskatchewan Pork Development Board in partnership with the Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture and the Animal Health Emergency Management project has released a mass euthanasia and disposal producer guide.

Sask Pork Producer Services Manager Karolina Steinerova talks about the plan and training that's available.

A new University of Saskatchewan study will examine whether pea protein can strengthen bone structure in people over the age of 50.

The pea protein will be put into almond milk, which has low protein levels. The study will also include milk and pea milk as comparisons.The one-year study involving as many as 200 men and women will be led by Dr. Phil Chillibeck---a professor at the University of Saskatchewan’s College of Kinesiology.

The study will also include strength training in combination with the beverages.

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The Research Lead with Agrifood Economic Systems suggests Canadian agricultural organizations and government need to come together quickly and act decisively in response to the threat of U.S. tariffs on Canadian imports.

Agrifood Economic Systems has released a Policy Advisory Note which examines Canada's one month reprieve on U.S. tariffs and how the agri-food sector should use that time.

Dr. Al Mussell says Canadians are suddenly faced with a generational event.

The Saskatchewan Cattlemen's Association has a new Chief Executive Officer.
During its Annual General Meeting, it was announced Christina Betker will be taking over from Grant McLellan, who is pursuing other opportunities.

Betker has been with the Association for 10 years as a Policy Manager and has experience in the agriculture sector along with time working in the Canadian and U.S. governments.

Her plan for the organization includes dealing with current issues, such as the tariff situation with the U.S. and enhancing their communication with the public AND the organization's decision to change its name.

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When it comes to the various cuts of pork, consumer preferences have changed dramatically over the past 20 years.

Since COVID consumers have been contending with steadily increasing food prices.
Hubert Muckel, a retired southwestern Manitoba butcher-meat cutter who retired in 2023 after working more than 50 years, estimates food prices have approximately doubled over the past four years.

The price of medium ground pork has gone from $1.99 a pound to over $4.50 a pound for the same product.

There is a growing recognition of the need to address anxiety and depression among farmers.

The Manitoba Farmer Wellness Program is on on-line support program for farmers, their families and their employees who are dealing with anxiety or depression.
Program Vice-chair Roberta Galbraith says the program was a response to a 2016 University of Guelph study that revealed depression and anxiety levels within the agriculture sector, particularly among farmers, were substantially higher than the general population. She says a follow-up 2021 study that showed the needle hadn't moved.

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There has been a lot of discussion surrounding a pesky weed called kochia.
Wind helps spread the tumbleweed longer distances and there are more reports of herbicide resistant kochia.

The seed banks are only viable for three years, but it has been discovered forages can compete with kochia in low-lying marginal areas.

Ducks Unlimited Extension Agrologist Jodie Horvath says DU sponsored research projects last year using drones that seeded forages on 14 farms covering a total of 560 acres. She says there were promising results with more drone seeding projects coming up this year.

Saskatchewan farmer Todd Lewis got the call from the Prime Minister himself and will be accepting an appointed to the Canadian Senate.

Lewis is the former president of the Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan and current Vice president of the Canadian Federation of Agriculture. For the farmer from Gray near Regina, Sask. the title of Senator is something he's still getting used.

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With global politics, tariffs and uncertainty - canola prices in Canada would likely be higher, Marlene Boersch spoke to farmers and agronomists at a recent meeting sharing her thoughts on the canola market and the impact of impending tariffs.

She says she's angry that Canada's most important trading partner is ignoring trade agreements that were signed.

Plant growth regulators are synthetic compounds that can modify plant growth, development and function by altering hormonal activity.

In western Canadian cereal crops, PGRs can work to produce shorter stems, reduce lodging and maintain grain yield.

Moddus is a plant growth regulator from Syngenta that can be used on multiple crops
There is a new research project in Saskatchewan that is looking specifically at barley.
Mitchell Japp is the Research and Extension Manager for the Saskatchewan Barley Development Commission.

He'll share the very early results of a study of PGR's in Barley.

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A southwestern Manitoba farmer is calling on government and industry to explore the feasibility of establishing a processing facility that would extract medical compounds from the byproducts of hog processing.

Heparin is a blood thinner that prevents the formation of blood clots.
Jim Downey says he became interested in the medical side of production about three years ago when he was contacted by a Chinese company looking to find out what was being done with the mucosa from the guts of the hogs being slaughtered in Manitoba.

The July heat did a number on 2024 crop yields in Saskatchewan, but it did prevent major disease outbreaks.

Sandy Junek, the Molecular Lab Manager with Discovery Seed Labs in Saskatoon says seed germination levels range from good to very good.

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