The Western Canadian Wheat Growers Association continues its effort to fight Ottawa's proposed fertilizer emission reduction policy. The federal government wants to reduce those emissions by 30 percent by the year 2030.

Wheat Growers President Gunter Jochum believes it could result in a food shortage.

Over the last several years, there have seen more cow/calf producers try their hand at direct-to-consumer marketing. Mark Hoimyr and his wife Laura own Box H Farm near Gladmar, straight south of Regina, Sask. near the U.S. border.

Box H Farm has 250 head of breeding stock---plus replacements. There is about 5,000 acres of tame grass and native prairie---with a heavy emphasis on rotational grazing.

Mark Hoimyr is here to talk about selling his grass-fed beef direct to consumers.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The ongoing war in Ukraine is creating problems for two major exporters of potash fertilizer.

Prior to the conflict, Russia and its close ally---Belarus----accounted for a combined 40 percent of global potash production. Both countries are going through challenges selling their product.

Nutrien has six potash mines in Saskatchewan and is in the process of expanding production at three of those mines.

Ken Seitz is Nutrien's Chief Executive Officer.

He says while Russia has managed to skirt around European sanctions by moving more oil and natural gas to China and India---it is a much different story for potash, which is a bulk commodity.

Farm Credit Canada is working with indigenous peoples to expand agricultural ventures---both large and small.

However, accessing capital from banks has been a major challenge for First Nations and Farm Credit Canada want to make the process easier.

Shaun Soonias is the Director of Indigenous Relations with FCC.

He says First Nations already have business experience in other economic sectors.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The two major railways are having a more difficult time filling hopper car orders and the number of unfulfilled orders is increasing rapidly.

The Ag Transport Coalition monitors railway performance on behalf of grain companies and various producer organizations. The organization is concerned the rail companies are falling behind on rail car deliveries.

However, the assistant vice president of grain at CN Rail, David Przednowek said CN is prepared to move this falls’ larger prairie crop to market.

He'll talk about the company's winter rail plan has been released.

-

The province of Saskatchewan celebrates agriculture month in October.

It's a time for the industry and consumers to learn more about the products produced right here in our own province.

Farm and Food Care Saskatchewan Executive Director Clinton Monchuk says the agriculture industry is thriving thanks to the dedicated individuals that make up the value-chain and have a passion for producing healthy and affordable food.

He says the public is encouraged to share their connection to food through the theme, "#MealsFromtheFarm."

-

After the break..... David Przednowek.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Indonesia is taking steps to control a Foot and Mouth Disease outbreak in that country. The Swine Health Information Center monitors domestic and global diseases and provides monthly surveillance reports.

Center Associate Director Dr. Megan Niederwerder says Foot and Mouth Disease virus has been on the radar for global detection since May because there have been substantial outbreaks, particularly in Indonesia where approximately 500,000 animals have been infected.

She will talk about the importance of controlling the spread of the disease that can affect cattle and pigs.

Saskatchewan's chief veterinary officer issued an Animal Health Order prohibiting the transport of birds to shows, auctions and fairs after several reports of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza. The disease is carried by migratory birds.

The animal health order will remain in place until October 21, when it will be reviewed. Dr. Noel Ritson-Bennett is the Canadian Food Inspection Agency veterinary program manager and part of the CFIA's Western Area Response Team for avian influenza.

He says this month's outbreak was expected.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A new survey shows most farmers believe a proposed fertilizer emissions target will not remain voluntary. That was one of the findings of poll of 546 Western Canadian farmers.

The first question was "Do you agree with the federal government's 30 percent fertilizer emission reduction target by the end of the decade?” 72 percent strongly disagreed. Another question on the way emissions were calculated--82 per cent said it was not achievable.Greg Dunlop is the President of iFusion, in Guelph, Ontario. He'll share the results of the survey.

This past week marked the five-year anniversary of the free trade deal between Canada and the European Union. The Canadian Cattle Association supports the deal---but says technical barriers are preventing the agreement from achieving its full potential.

CCA general manager Ryder Lee explains the good and bad of the deal.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Saskatchewan produces 30 per cent of Canada’s beef cattle, but there are no federally inspected packing facilities in the province. The Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association (SSGA) believes the province and its producers are selling all that potential value out-of-province and at a discount.

SSGA released a study into the feasibility of building and operating a packing plant in Saskatchewan. The study called Opportunities & Challenges for Growing Saskatchewan’s Beef Processing Sector indicates there is a way to create more packing capacity.

Stock Growers president Garner Deobald will share the details of the report and explain the next steps to establishing a beef packing in Saskatchewan.

Despite the suspension of use of a new African Swine Fever vaccine in Vietnam, progress is still being made to find a vaccine for ASF. Swine Health Information Center Executive Director Dr. Paul Sundberg says the vaccine was a gene deleted African Swine Fever Vaccine developed by USDA's Ag Research Service.

The license for further testing by a company in Vietnam was suspended after pigs that had been vaccinated died. Sundberg says initial reports indicated the vaccine's efficacy was very high and safety studies were also very promising.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bank of Canada increased its policy interest rate by 75 basis points to 3 and a quarter per cent. J.P. Gervais, Chief Economist with Farm Credit Canada says expect more interest rate increases before the end of the year as the Bank of Canada tries to tame inflation.

He says with even with higher interest rates and inflation for farm inputs, most farmers should still be in the black.

A veterinary clinic in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan hopes the extension of a loan forgiveness program will help attract newly graduated veterinarians to their practice. The Saskatchewan government announced the veterinary clinics in larger centres will be able to participate in a program introduced last year for smaller communities.

The province will forgive 4-thousand dollars of student loans per year for a maximum of five years for veterinarians and veterinary technologists. To qualify, the vets need to provide a minimum of 400 hours of service to large animal producers over a twelve-month period.

Prince Albert veterinarian Dr. Tom Avey will explain how this will help practices like his.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Everyone involved in agriculture needs to better communicate the story of farming. Cam Dahl is the General Manager of Manitoba Pork. He says the sector needs to work together to dispel the myths surrounding modern agriculture.

An article circulated through community newspapers examines the connection between farmers and the "Prove It" generation and the need to better communicate the role of new technology in meeting the need for food. Dahl says while people trust farmers, they don't necessarily understand or trust what they do.

The Western Canadian Wheat Growers have started an online petition about the federal government's plan to reduce fertilizer emissions 30 percent by the end of the decade. Director Jim Wickett says the groups has taken a firm stand in opposition to the proposal, saying it attempts to reduce greenhouse gases, but the actual reduction would be small, and the impact on the food in Canada, and globally, would be significant.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Two companies conducted an extensive crop tour of Western Canada during the first week of August. Argus Media and Leftfield Commodity Research combined resources to stop at more than forty farms in the three-prairie province. At more than half of the sites, they were able to speak to local producers.

The companies produced average yield and production estimates for canola and wheat in Western Canada. Jonathon Driedger, the vice president of LeftField Commodity Research will share what they saw on the tour.

Crop protection products, specifically pre-harvest glyphosate, are heavily scrutinized domestically and internationally. In recent years, there has been increased attention towards maximum residue limits (MRLs).

Pulse Canada has developed a program to provide free, confidential glyphosate residue testing for farmers and agronomists to ensure the proper application timing of pre-harvest glyphosate for pulse crops. Saskatchewan Pulse Growers Agronomy Manager Sarah Anderson says this be another tool for farmers.

She will also share more on the Harvest Sample Program.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If the price of feed grain remains at its current high level, consumers can expect continued higher meat prices. A combination of factors including shortages of locally produced feed grains due to last year's drought, transportation challenges due to COVID-19 and generally higher global grain prices due to the war in Ukraine has pushed grain prices to record levels.

Florian Possberg, a partner with Polar Pork Farms, says, if grain prices are going to be at a higher-level longer term, and grain is in short supply, the price is going be higher for meat prices.

Saskatchewan Pulse Growers has entered into a plant breeding agreement with Limagrain Field Seeds. This will likely be the first in a series of deals SPG makes with private companies following the end of a long-term agreement with the University of Saskatchewan Crop Development Centre.

Carl Potts the executive director of Saskatchewan Pulse Growers Potts says the new environment will encourage multiple pulse crop breeding programs . . . and a transition from a royalty-free system, to growers paying for access to new varieties like they do for other crops. He will outline the deal with Limagrain.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.