Agripod

A research scientist with the Prairie Swine Centre suggests providing pigs with rooting materials they can chew will reduce the risk of tail biting. Tail biting is an abnormal behavior where one pig chews or bites the tail of a pen mate, raising the risk for reduced weight gain, increased carcass condemnations, higher risk of disease and even mortality.  Dr. Jen-Yun Chou says tail biting is a type of redirected foraging behavior, so while there are many risk factors, a key one is the absence or availability of rooting material. AND The 2026 honey season got off to a late start for one honey producer in the Balgonie area. Luke Moore with Anchor Moore Farm says preparation for the upcoming season usually starts at the end of June. We'll talk to Luke about how all of the spring moisture and late start for crops such as canola to flower impacted production.

Honey is one of the products being hit by US tariffs. 15 to 20 per cent of Canada's honey heads south of the boarder. We'll hear from two honey producers - Simon Lalonde and Luke Moore about the tariffs and how the honey crop is looking for 2026. AND There are some parts of Saskatchewan that have been hit particularly hard by an outbreak of bertha army worms. Dr. James Tansey, Provincial Insect and Vertebrate Pest Management Specialist, will share where the hot spots are and what farmers should be considering when it comes to control measures.

Ag in Motion (AIM) is Western Canada’s largest outdoor agricultural trade show and farm expo. It takes place every July at Innovation Acres near Langham about 15 minutes northwest of Saskatoon. It is a huge outdoor agricultural exhibition where farmers can see equipment, crops and technology in action, rather than simply looking at displays in exhibition halls. Over the course of the three days of the show, I had a chance to speak to many of the exhibitors...today's episode will focus on the three businesses.

Researchers have discovered new information about how phosphorus from recycled materials moves through soil. Phosphorus is essential for plant growth, yet many soils do not contain enough of it to support healthy crops. In this recent international study, researchers examined how phosphorus from these recycled fertilizers behaves in different soil types over time. Using advanced scientific tools, they were able to study the chemical forms and amounts of phosphorus present in both fertilizers and soil. Aimée Schryer, lead author of the study and a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Copenhagen will explain the research and its applications in Europe and possibly Canada. AND The Canadian Cattle Association (CCA) and Alberta Beef Producers (ABP) have reached an interim participation agreement following motions passed in principle by the CCA at its Annual General Meeting. Last June, Alberta Beef signaled it would withdraw from CCA by June 30, 2026, unless significant changes were made to how the national group operates, citing ongoing concerns with governance, transparency, and representation. Alberta Beef chair Doug Roxburgh explains how the gap funding will work and how ABP representatives will be allowed to participate in meetings and discussions as non-members.

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. AND 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 beverages.

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. AND 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.

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. AMD 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.

A well-known Environment Canada Meteorologist will soon be calling it a career. Terri Lang will retire after 36 years at the national weather office. She'll talk about the changes in weather gathering that have occurred over her time and some of the most interesting weather events she has been able to cover. AND An animal science professor with Colorado State University says when it comes to health and welfare, aggression and animal handling, genetics is a key factor to consider. Dr. Temple Grandin is the keynote speaker at the Saskatchewan Pork Industry Symposium. Grandin explains animal handling has improved dramatically over the past 40 years, one factor that plays a role is genetics.

The United States confirmed it was not going to renew the Canada-US-Mexico agreement in its current form for another 16 years. Farm Credit Canada is one of many groups paying extra attention to the July 1st deadline. In preparation, FCC released a report in June on what would happen if the agreement were not renewed. FCC Vice-president and Chief Economist Craig Johnston says included in the report are the impacts U.S. tariffs have had on Gross Domestic Product and business confidence over the last year, as well as how it could impact the Bank of Canada interest rate. AND A national cattle group is not shocked by the U.S. deciding not to renew the Canada-U.S,-Mexico agreement on trade in its current version. Tyler Fulton - President of the Canadian Cattle Association - says this is what he expected to happen.

The latest edition of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans recognizes meat as nutritious, and a food item Americans should be prioritizing at every meal. The document is published every five years by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and serves as the official blueprint for federal nutrition policies, education programs, and food assistance initiatives. Dr. Ashley Johnson says since the 1980s, recommendations have tended toward reducing meat consumption and replacing it with plant-based proteins.  AND Dr. Brian Rossnagel, a distinguished professor emeritus at the University of Saskatchewan’s Crop Development Centre, will be inducted into the Canadian Agricultural Hall of Fame later this year. Rossnagel transformed barley and oat production during his 35-year career. His prolific breeding program developed more than 100 varieties of barley and oats for feed, forage, food, and malting markets. Rossnagel says these varieties were widely adopted by producers in Western Canada, as  well as other countries. 

Visitors from across Canada and Switzerland travelled to Northeast Saskatchewan to learn more about sustainable agriculture practices. The group, Nature United, is the Canadian affiliate of The Nature Conservancy, a global conservation organization with more than a million members. Kris Babbings, the president of Collective Impact, lead the tour. He talks about the importance of how the tour gave the guests a perspective of why some agricultural practices are done the way they are. AND Manitoba's pork producers are welcoming Canada’s new African Swine Fever zoning agreement with Japan. The Government of Canada and the Government of Japan have announced an agreement on the mutual recognition of containment zones in the event of an outbreak of ASF, an internationally reportable disease that has devastated swine herds around the world. Cam Dahl, the General Manager of Manitoba Pork, says the detection of ASF in Canada would be catastrophic.

Provisions will be included in the U.S. House of Representatives version of the Farm, Food and National Security Act to address feral swine. The bill now awaits action in the Senate, where the Senate Agriculture Committee is drafting its own version.National Pork Producers Council CEO Bryan Humphreys at World Pork Expo in Des Moines, says feral swine have become a real problem that needs to be addressed. AND Difficult weather and soil conditions are also causing problems for the Saskatchewan farmers involved in Canadian Foodgrains Bank Projects. Rick Block is the Foodgrains Bank representative in Saskatchewan and is the point person for the various community grow projects.  He'll provide an update on the important work they do to support food security programs around the world

Manitoba Pork is calling for the creation of strategic plan for dealing with trade. General manager Cam Dahl says in the wake of the recent U.S. election, the federal government needs to develop a national strategy for agriculture and food trade particularly as Canada heads into the 2026 review of the Canada U.S. Mexico Agreement. AND Protein Industries Canada is looking for companies that can blend pulses AND cereals to create new food products and ingredients. PIC Senior Director of Programs Lisa Campbell says the purpose of calling for Expression of Interests (EOI) is to meet the consumer demand for more innovative ways to incorporate protein and fibre into their diets.

The planned closure of the Lacombe Research and Development Centre places Canadian research programing at risk. In January, as part of a broader federal mandate to reduce the size of the public service, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada announced the imminent closure of several research facilities. Dr. Stuart Smyth, a Professor in the Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics at the University of Saskatchewan says limiting federal government swine research capability to a single location puts swine research at risk and jeopardizes the global competitiveness of Canadian pork. AND A panel of producers, veterinarians and researchers is now reviewing 42 submissions received in response to a January call for research proposals to enhance the response to H5N1 Influenza. SHIC Associate Director Dr. Lisa Becton says H5N1 is an Influenza A virus normally associated with avian species but, since 2024, that virus has been found in dairy cattle, sheep and goats and in October 2024 the infection was identified in backyard swine.

The conflict that has affected the movement of goods through the Straight of Hormuz has resulted in reduced fertilizer availability leading to reduced grain production and shortages of food. As the result of trade friction and global conflict Canadian farmers are facing increased uncertainty. Florian Possberg says the pork sector has enjoyed relatively low feed costs but there is some real concern over grain prices. AND  The announcement was made a few months ago . . . but the official groundbreaking ceremony was held at the BASF Agricultural Solutions Canola Breeding Centre of Innovation expansion. That centre is located a few kilometres northeast of Saskatoon—-just off Highway 41. Brent Collins, the Head of Seeds and Traits for BASF Agricultural Solutions, the $27-million dollars expansion will solidify Saskatoon's reputation as a global centre for canola breeding.

Corteva Agriscience announced its new brand, Trusource™ wheat, a high fiber durum that can help meet consumers’ needs for increased dietary fiber through use in high-volume foods such as pasta. Trusource wheat will be available to food companies to trial in product development and evaluation in late 2024, with North American commercialization plans for farmers to be announced in the coming years. Tyler Groeneveld is the North American Director for value added ingredients at Corteva Agriscience. He says it’s important because fiber is the most under-consumed macronutrient and there is a direct correlation between low fiber and chronic inflammation, leading to many human health issues. AND Hot summers may be great for your time at the lake, but very hot temperatures can cause stress in crops, especially flowering canola. Curtis Rempel, vice president of crop production and innovation with the Canola Council of Canada says when the temperatures are in the 30's, it's especially hard on flowering canola plants. The crop at flowering is when the pollen is produced, the canola gets pollinated, and seeds start forming. When you have high heat levels, when the crop is starting to flower, you get pollen dying because of the heat. Then the flower does not get pollinated, and it gets blasted

Saskatchewan Pulse Growers (SPG) launches a new strategic plan with a new focus on priorities with the greatest impact on pulse growers in Saskatchewan, looking ahead to 2030.  SPG Executive Director Carl Potts explains the plan is built on direction from its ninemember Board of Directors-made up of farmers. The new plan highlights four key focus areas. AND The Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities is urging rural residents to run for municipal councils and truly make a difference in their communities and make a difference. SARM President Ray Orb says many RMs have vacancies on councils, and this presents an opportunity for individuals to get involved with the issues that directly affect daily life for the people in rural Saskatchewan. SARM has created a new video to discuss some common misconceptions around rural  representation.

Cargill announced its newest canola processing facility west of Regina is in operation. Jeff Vassart the President of Cargill Canada says in the months leading up to this week, they were already taking in canola as part of the commissioning process. AND If you want to learn more about the behind-the-scenes operation of a farm, then Saskatchewan Open Farm Days might just be for you. Coordinator Ashley Stone says the event is set for this summer and last year saw over 4,000 visits.

Given the high prices of fertilizer, what would influence farmers to change their seeding plans? That's a question Farm Credit Canada explored with an analysis on swing acres and which crops could see the most change between now and when seeding begins. FCC senior economist Lee Anderson talks about fertilizer prices, its effect on some of those decisions, and how that has all happened since the conflict in Iran started in late February. AND Canada is looking to increase pulse sales to India by working in areas of mutual need. Nutritional security is very important to India, and part of its plan is to build food processing capacity in the world's most populous country. More pulse processing in India will in theory lead to increased pulse crop purchases from Canada. We'll hear from Greg Cherewyk is the CEO of Pulse Canada.

Computer based artificial intelligence is offering new insights into animal welfare. A new tool being developed by the University of Saskatchewan is using A.I.at the abattoir. The University of Saskatchewan's Western College of Veterinary Medicine and Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering have developed an automated swine welfare assessment system consisting of a digital security camera linked to an A.I. processor. Dr. Seokbum Ko explains how cameras record animal movement along the processing line and condensed AI models extract and assess images indicative of animal welfare. AND The 10th Annual Saskatchewan Beef Expo was recently held in Saskatoon. Kirk Stierwalt, a long-time cattle operator and clinician from Leedey, Oklahoma has been conducting show cattle clinics for 37 years. He worked with the 4-H members at Beef Expo providing guidance on clipping, grooming and showmanship. He'll talk about some of the tip and tricks he shared with the young 4-Hers.

The Vice-President of the Canadian Fuels Association says diesel prices are currently at historical levels in Canada. Carol Montreuil has observed a lot of places across the country have diesel prices above $2.00 a litre with some in the range of $2.25 to $2.50 a litre. He says that's not the case yet in Saskatchewan but the trend, given the conflict in Iran and the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, is not good. AND Rural communities and non-profit organizations across Canada interested in providing mental health education locally can now apply for the 2026 Community Fund for Mental Health. Executive Director of Do More Ag Merle Massie says the Fund, going into its 8th year, is managed by a partnership between the Do More Agriculture Foundation and Farm Credit Canada. She explains the program and how to submit an application.

Canada ranks number three in the world for herbicide resistant weeds, only behind the United States and Australia. The last extensive survey in Saskatchewan occurred in 2019-2020 and estimated producer losses due to herbicide resistant weeds at $340 million per year. It found that green foxtail, volunteer canola, wild oat, wild buckwheat and kochia were the biggest concerns.  The top instance of herbicide resistance in Saskatchewan five years ago was Group 1 resistance in wild oats. Herbicide Resistance wild oat was found in 77 per cent of 250 fields where wild oat was collected and tested. Charles Geddes is a research scientist with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and will be leading the herbicide resistant weed survey. AND The federal carbon tax been completely ineffective in reducing fossil fuel use, it has also made it harder for farmers to afford the adoption of new innovations. That from Manitoba Pork General Manager Cam Dahl.  He says farmers face many challenges as they work to adopt environmentally sustainable green practices while operating in the red. Dahl is calling on government to replace its policy of taxing farmers to stimulate decreased fossil fuel use with one where incentives are offered to stimulate the adoption of environmentally sustainable technologies and practices.

A successful canola crop needs a lot of nitrogen, which is why nitrogen has A-list status. That same successful crop also depends on a strong supporting cast - phosphorus, potassium, sulphur and micronutrients. Canola council of Canada agronomy specialist Warren Ward says farmers will benefit from soil tests, yield history and economics to determine how much fertilizer their canola needs. AND Protein is an important component in a person's diet---whether it be animal-based or plant-based. Nationally recognized registered dietician Carol Harrison says protein has many benefits, but questions come up on different the types of protein, how much is enough, are plant and animal-based proteins the same. She will also have some tips on how to extend your meat budget a bit more.

Retaliatory duties imposed on U.S. pork in response to the Trump Administration's tariff threats will have a far more negative effect on Canadian market hog prices than U.S. duties on imports from Canada. As North American farmers await the next moves in Donald Trump's on again off again tariff war, analysts are monitoring developments in the U.S. as well as the international reaction to them. Paul Marchand, a Senior Risk Management Analyst with HAMS Marketing Services says the price for a Canadian market hog delivered to a federally inspected slaughter plant in Canada is established in the U.S. so any response that lowers the U.S. base price will lower the Canadian price for hogs. AND  Uncertainty around tariffs can impact a farmer's decision on what to grow this year. Retired Agronomist Thom Weir says it's even more important to understand your fertility needs and what adjustments can be made to keep a little more cash in a farmer's pocket.

A just released study looks at supply management and the renegotiation of the Canada United States Mexico Agreement. Milk, eggs, chicken, turkey and, in most provinces, hatching eggs, are produced and marketed in Canada through supply management. The Agri-Food Economic Systems Independent Agri-Food Policy Note examines the expected discussions on supply management as we approach the CUSMA renegotiation. Research Lead Dr. Al Mussell says in terms of Canada U.S. trade, dairy has been one of the longest standing irritants between the two countries. AND The Wheat Growers Association is welcoming China’s final ruling to sharply lower the antidumping tariff on Canadian canola seed to 5.9 per cent, plus the standard 9 per cent import duty, alongside the suspension of 100 percent tariffs on canola meal effective March 1. Wheat Growers Chair Daryl Fransoo says the decision marks a positive step forward for prairie canola farmers who have faced prolonged uncertainty in one of Canada’s key export markets.

While the use of food fermentation has typically been used for food preservation, people like the taste of fermented foods and are now discovering the heath benefits.  Dr. Jeremy Burton, a professor of microbiology and immunology at Western University and a cofounder of the Canadian Fermented Foods Initiative, will explain the fermentation process and health benefits. AND  Alberta's latest case of Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea appears to be isolated and has been contained to one site. This is the first confirmed case of PED in Alberta since 2022. Javier Bahamon, with Alberta Pork, says, even before PED arrived in Alberta, the plan was to have a team that would respond to any outbreak quickly and investigate with the principal objective being to contain the disease and ensure it's doesn't spread.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency's proposed changes to traceability regulations have been a hot topic among the cattle community. And it's kept the Saskatchewan Cattle Association (SCA) and like-minded groups busy, gathering feedback from producers. It all started in December when the CFIA first announced the proposed changes before swift backlash forced them to pause them to do more consultation. Chair of SCA Chad Ross says they were the first ones to call for the pause. He says traceability rules have been an ongoing conversation for more than two decades. AND Canadian marked Food Freedom Day–the day the average Canadian has earned enough to pay for groceries for the rest of the year, according to a report from the Canadian Federation of Agriculture. The CFA says the average Canadian is expected to have spent 12.3 per cent of their disposable income on food. CFA Policy Officer Scott Ross shares some of the findings of the report and says the take-home message is that we have access to high-quality food that’s some of the cheapest in the world.

A just completed economic impact assessment shows an eight to one return on dollars invested in pork sector research in Canada. Swine Innovation Porc explored the findings of an impact assessment which examined the returns on pork sector research investment in Canada. Dr. Stuart Smyth, a Professor in the Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics  at the University of Saskatchewan, and one of the authors of the report. He will explain the study looked at research investments made from 2010 until the end of 2023. AND  The dairy industry has plenty of reasons to be optimistic in 2026. That's the view of Farm Credit Canada's 2026 Dairy Outlook, written by FCC Senior Economist Graeme Crosbie. He will share some of the highlights of 2025 and why 2026 is looking so encouraging.

The forecast is looking bright for the pork sector in 2026. Farm Credit Canada expects a profitable year as outlined in the 2026 Hog Outlook. FCC Senior Economist Justin Shepherd says 2025 ended up being a pretty good year for the hog industry in Canada and North America due to lower feed costs and strong pricing. This was fueled by strong demand for meat and higher costs for substitute proteins, whether it beef or chicken, making pork appealing for the consumer. Shepherd expects 2026 to be much the same. AND A chef instructor with the Culinary Institute of Canada says consumers have become more aware of the cost of groceries. An article circulated through canadianfoodfocus.org looks at how consumers can trim their food costs by using "humble cuts of meat" to prepare nutritious meals at home. Chef Ilona Daniel says people are paying closer attention to the prices on their food as they balance the cost of groceries, housing, fuel and general living costs.

Ranchers care about the animals they raise. That is why when it's -50 with the windchill - they are on high alert watching out for those newborn calves. Sometimes it means going to any lengths to get them warmed up quickly so they can be returned to their mothers. One rancher in southern Saskatchewan had several calves born on a very cold day. Those three newborn calves spent some time on a bathroom floor in the home of Chris Lees at Arcola, Saskatchewan. Chris will tell us about the busy start to calving season on his farm. AND Nearly all forestry biomass pellets are shipped to the European Union, which wants environmentally friendly energy solutions that reduce the need to import oil and natural gas. Work at the University of Saskatchewan is exploring turning canola and oat hulls --along with canola meal into a better biomass pellet. The main work is being done by PhD candidate Tumpa Sarkar, under the supervision of Dr. Ajay Dalai. The hope is to have a final version of the biomass pellet in one to two years. Dr. Dalai is a professor of chemical engineering at the University of Saskatchewan and holds the Canada Research Chair in bio energy. He will share the research and the ultimate goal of developing a technology that would eventually be adopted by the private sector.

What should I make for dinner? Canada Beef will say...beef.. of course. But what cut of beef should I chose? How do I prepare it? That's why Canada Beef is working towards getting QR codes on every package of beef. One quick scan with your smart phone and all of those questions will be answered. Canada Beef President Michael Young says when every cut of beef has its own QR code the home cook will have the information they need to make a decision on the type of beef to buy, how to cook it, access to recipes and videos and even a grocery list, at their fingertips. Eventually the QR code will be part of the retail meat case, print or digital flyers. While beef will be the first to do this, Young believes other commodities like chicken and pork will soon follow. AND  Better brome....better beef. The Global Institute for Food Security (GIFS) at the University of Saskatchewan will receive $332,000 from the Agriculture Development Fund to find ways to make genetic improvements in bromegrass, an essential forage crop for cattle. GIFS Director of Genomics and Bioinformatics Dr. Andrew Sharpe will explain how the research being done will produce a catalogue of genetic variations for bromegrass. He says it will have a direct impact on the ability of breeders to select the most nutritious varieties of bromegrass that produce the largest yield.

A company based in Edam in northwest Saskatchewan is getting ready to launch a pilot testing program for a new cattle ear tag. Company owner James Babcock says the Ori-tags take basic health data from the cattle and use artificial intelligence to benefit the producer's operation. While there's room for pork producers to be optimistic heading into 2026, that optimism is being tempered by tariff threats and global political uncertainty. Manitoba Pork General Manager Can Dahl says, on the positive side, there was profitability in 2025 due to strong demand for both pigs and pork, on the flip side of the coin there is significant international market volatility and an uncertain relationship with the U.S., as well as tariffs on pork going into China.

Grocery prices are rising, but the farmer's share continues to shrink. This according to National Farmers Union Vice President Stuart Wells. He says corporate processors and retailers are the ones that are benefiting. Wells will explain that consumers need to know that less and less of the money  they spend on food actually makes it back to the farmer, and retail food prices are high because meat packers, other processors and big retailers are taking ever larger shares. AND Canada's outstanding young farmers were announced at a special event recently. Jenny Butcher & Wes Kuntz run a dairy operation in the Brantford, Ontario region. Tracey & Raymond Bredenhoff, Abbotsford, BC. and have a 40,000 broiler per cycle chicken operation and are also the largest distributors of Canadian-grown hops. We'll hear from both families about winning the award and successes and challenges that they've faced in the past year.

It wasn’t just farmers growing vegetables this year in Canada. According to a study from Dalhousie University, the pandemic inspired a lot of people to grow their own garden. Vanessa Young with the Horticulture and Agriculture Lifelong Learning Programs with the University of Saskatchewan says there was an increased interest in gardening. Part of it she believes is provide food for the family, but it is also a stress reliever. She'll also talk about the different ways you can grow a garden on the prairies. - It is always great to connect with producers who are willing to share stories about their own farming operation. Lonny and Connie Bulmer run Bison River Ranch in northeast Saskatchewan. In addition to raising bison, the couple recently added a rental cabin to their property. I talk to Lonny about their farm and how the addition of the cabin has been a pleasant surprise and welcomed addition to their operation.

Just sign on the dotted line. I just need your signature. How many times are you asked to do this over the course of a year? We’ve all done it….you read the terms of agreement on your phone you scroll down and click "accept" without really reading the fine details. This has the potential to be disastrous for a farmer, particularly this year when it comes to the eligibility declaration you sign when selling grain and an elevator. Tom Steve with the Alberta Wheat and Alberta Barley commission has a warning for farmers. Those declarations may look the same but there are some significant differences. He will explain those changes, why it happened, the repercussions of not understanding what you've signed and your legal obligations. AND Often people have a certain vision of what a conventional farm looks like. It usually involved a tractor or combine and a field of golden grain. Today on Not Your Everyday Farmer we will feature a very different type of farm operation. John Cote and his wife Barb Stefanyshyn Cote did the unthinkable and sold the family farm and then they embarked on a completely different experience…..making gin and selling flowers. Barb will talk about the creation of Black Fox Farm and Distillery and how they've never worked harder in their lives.

Farm Credit Canada (FCC) wants to reward farmers for using practices that make the farm environmentally friendly. FCC released its Sustainable Finance Framework, outlining how they will invest $1.9 billion by the year 2030, to help producers increase their farm's resilience to weather challenges, increase productivity, and ensure it's a long-term viable operation. Marie-Claude Bourgie is the Vice-President of Sustainability for FCC. She explains the sustainable financing is incentive-based and applies to FCC customers. The Saskatchewan Mustard Development Commission will have a key item on the agenda of its annual general meeting. Chair of the Board Norm Hall says they will be discussing BASF's Invigor Gold variety of mustard. Invigor Gold is a canola quality mustard and is able to cross pollinate with brown and oriental mustard. BASF says Invigor Gold will be more drought tolerant than regular canola, but the mustard industry says it will put Canadian mustard sales in jeopardy.

The spread of African Swine Fever to wild boar in Spain is a reminder of the importance of vigilance in terms of biosecurity especially as more people are traveling out of country. Dr. Megan Niederwerder says a recent European Food Safety Authority review of the risk factors particular to Europe offers important information for North America. There are more handling tips and tricks available to pork producers. Kevin Brooks is a production manager specializing in animal handling and training with Olymel West in Humboldt, Sask. He spoke at the recent Saskatchewan Pork Industry Symposium about he things that have changed in the sector.

Global Agri-Trends says tariffs on trade haven’t been as serious a concern for the meat sector. Brett Stuart is a founding partner for Global AgriTrends. He was formerly employed by the US Meat Export Federation as their lead economist. He conducted numerous research and analysis projects in the global meat trade areas as well as advising US trade officials on internation meat access issues. He shared some of his findings during the Saskatchewan Pork Industry Symposium. The House of Commons agriculture committee has been reviewing the policies and procedures of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, as well as Health Canada. One issue discussed has been the growing number of concerns that have impacted Canada's veterinarians. Tracy Fisher, the president of the Canadian Veterinarian Medical Association, share some of those struggles

Crop diseases can have a serious impact on a farmer's bottom line, that’s why management is an ongoing concern for producers. Finding the right tools and technologies to help producers get a handle on diseases can be complicated and expensive. Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada researcher Kelly Turkington says it all starts with having a basic knowledge of the nature of plant diseases as the first step towards understanding what needs to be done and when it needs to be done. A University of British Columbia student design team has created the prototype for a fully autonomous agricultural robot. The creation of the AgroBot started with four students. The team has grown to 40 students with backgrounds in various areas of engineering. AgroBot team member Wendie Wu will explain the project and tell us about how the students took inspiration from other industries and applied them to the robot...all in an effort to make agriculture operations more sustainable.

 African Swine Fever and emerging diseases was a main topic of discussion at the recent Sask Industry Pork Symposium. Dr. Stephanie Smith, the director of the veterinary unit with the Ministry of Agriculture, shares how the industry and farmers can prepare for emerging diseases like African Swine fever. AND The federal government is planning to reduce the amount of money spent on international aid----but it's unclear where those cuts will be made. Paul Hagerman is the Canadian Foodgrain's Bank Public Policy Director. He is concerned about the wording of the last federal budget.

The Research Lead with Agri-Food Economic Systems suggests with Canadian oilseeds under increasing trade pressure, an oilseed strategy could be helpful. An Independent Agri-Food Policy Note and accompanying Policy Concepts Paper, released by Agri-Food Economic Systems, examined the pressures facing Canadian oilseeds including China's 100 per cent tariff on canola oil and canola meal, trade action on Canadian peas from China, and now India - and issues with China and the U.S. over soybeans. Research lead Dr. Al Mussell says Canadian oilseed producers are extremely export dependent but that's not a bad thing. The Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan (APAS) have sent a letter to the provincial government, laying out their views on Saskatchewan farmland ownership. President Bill Prybylski says while he has no proof of foreign farmland ownership being an issue in Saskatchewan, he is concerned that the price of farmland could be inflated by outside interests.

A protein journalist says the technological revolution is helping shape the buying patterns of consumers more today than over the past century. "The Retail Meat Counter; What consumers are buying and how is it changing?" was among the topics discussed as part of the Saskatchewan Pork Industry Symposium. Lisa Keefe says demographics are increasingly shaping consumer buying patterns. Pulse Canada was in China this past week. The goal was to work to maintain one-on-one relationships with business contacts in the effort to persuade the Chinese government to drop hefty tariffs on peas and canola. Pulse Canada President Greg Cherewyk spoke prior to his flight to China.

U.S. President Donald Trump announced a 10 per cent increase in tariffs on goods imported from Canada in response to ads produced by the Ontario government. Manitoba Pork General manager Cam Dahl says Canada's elected officials need to prioritize the renegotiation and to tone down the rhetoric while working with our allies in the U.S. to maintain trade including representatives from key states like Iowa. He says there is an understanding among elected state officials and agricultural leaders in the U.S. - Canada must continue to work with like-minded partners helping them influence the Trump administration. There is a unique Kindergarten to Grade Nine School in the rural area . . . 21 kilometres east of Medicine Hal. In addition to the regular classes . . . the kids get a hands-on view of food production at the Irvine Agriculture Discovery Centre. An onsite agriculture demonstration project connects rural and urban students who look after a so-called "Noah's Ark" of animals as part of the education curriculum. We will talk to the centre coordinator Nicole Neubauer.

Crop diseases can have a serious impact on a farmer's bottom line, that’s why management is an ongoing concern for producers. Finding the right tools and technologies to help producers get a handle on diseases can be complicated and expensive. Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada researcher Kelly Turkington says it all starts with having a basic knowledge of the nature of plant diseases as the first step towards understanding what needs to be done and when it needs to be done. A University of British Columbia student design team has created the prototype for a fully autonomous agricultural robot. The creation of the AgroBot started with four students. The team has grown to 40 students with backgrounds in various areas of engineering. AgroBot team member Wendie Wu will explain the project and tell us about how the students took inspiration from other industries and applied them to the robot...all in an effort to make agriculture operations more sustainable.

A new online training platform for swine barn workers is allowing farms to manage, coordinate and track their training programs. Mark Fynn is the Training Resources Coordinator with the Canadian Pork Council. He will discuss the progress for the new program that was officially launched in March 2025. Challenges in the trade and economic environment, largely due to tariffs from the U.S. and China, have affected Canada's Food and Beverage sector. Farm Credit Canada released its mid-year update on the food and beverage industry and say while the first half of the year had a sales increase of 0.8 per cent, it’s not expected to hold, and FCC projects sales will decline to 0.3 per cent in the second half. Most of the growth has been from price increases, but Senior Economist Amanda Norris says declining volumes of goods sold is causing slower-than-expected growth.

Politics have had a significant impact on agriculture research in Alberta. The government in that province changed hands with the New Democrats taking power in 2015 and then new United Conservative Party winning the election in 2019. It has been a stressful time for those involved in research. A new organization called Results Driven Agriculture Research or RDAR has been given the responsibility of guiding Alberta’s ag research priorities to ensure they reflect the needs of farmers, ranchers, and others in the agriculture industry. I'll speak with RDAR board chair Dr. David Chalack about this new entity and its role in promoting beneficial research for the ag sector. Prairie honey producers take great pride in their pure product. But the fake honey showing up on store shelves is hurting their bottom line.Fake honey is being blamed for a dramatic drop in prices dating back to 2015 and it has been pushing the limits of beekeepers in Canada. In fact, prices were so low producers were not making enough money to even cover their costs. Tim Wendell of Wendell Honey Farm has felt the impact. Their operation includes sites in Saskatchewan and Manitoba. Wendell will explain where this fake honey is coming from and how consumers can support this important industry.

Farmers have shortened up crop rotation for a number of reasons. Oilseed agronomy research scientist Patrick Molecki is with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada at the Saskatoon Research and Development Centre.  He there are numerous issues popping up because of this practice including herbicide  resistance in weeds and increased disease pressure including blackleg and fusarium head blight. Patrick says the continuing practice will have long term implications. There tends to be a focus on the negative environmental aspects of farming like the greenhouse gases emitted from vehicles, fertilizers, and grain transportation. But there is new work showing this impact can be offset by planting trees. It's estimated more 21.3 million tonnes of carbon-dioxide-equivalent is stored in Saskatchewan’s 60,000 km of shelterbelts, representing about $639 million in total economic value under the federal $30 per tonne carbon-dioxide-equivalent pricing  system. Bryan Mood with USask will discuss a new app that is designed to show the economic value of shelterbelts while helping landowners determine the best trees to grow.

Canada's elected officials need to prioritize the renegotiation of the Canada, United States, Mexico trade agreement and to tone down the rhetoric while working with allies in the U.S. to maintain trade. Manitoba Pork General Manager Cam Dahl suggests this matter should be the number one  issue of Canada's agriculture ministers from coast to coast. Farm Credit Canada hosted its annual Food and Beverage Summit in Saskatoon. Smaller and medium sized companies from all parts of Western Canada were on hand. Stacey Gordon, FCC's area vice-president of commercial financing, said entrepreneurs at varying stages of the journey to the supermarket shelf attended the trade show and listened to presentations.  Some are only selling locally; others are in regional stores while a few are looking to break  into the national market.

As parliament resumed the Grain Growers of Canada, who represent over 70-thousand producers across Canada, have four key priorities: international trade, capital gains tax, trade-enabling infrastructure, and research & development. Executive Director Kyle Larkin says continued uncertainty with the United States and tariffs from China is at the top of the list. And staying with Parliament, we’ll hear from new Saskatchewan senator Todd Lewis, who farms near Regina, on how he's fitting into his new role Farm and Food Care Saskatchewan estimate 4,000 visitors took part in this year's Saskatchewan Open Farm Days. The second edition of the event saw approximately 35 different agriculture-related venues opening their doors to the public. Farm and Food Care Executive Director Clinton Monchuk said the event provides an opportunity for farmers to engage directly with consumers.

African Swine Fever has hit a 27,000 pig facility in Estonia. That was one of the revelations from the monthly newsletter from the Swine Health Information Center that released its domestic and global swine disease monitoring reports. SHIC Associate Director Dr. Lisa Becton says the latest developments related to African Swine Fever and Foot and Mouth Disease demonstrate the value of swine disease monitoring in understanding transmission routes and disease risks The Saskatchewan Pork Development Board has launched its second whole hog video series. Sask Pork Whole Hog Youth Ambassador is 12-year-old Reise Podhordeski, a farm kid who lives and works on his family's commercial hay operation near Marcelin, Sask. Reise says there's more involved in pork production than what happens in the barn.