Wayne Black's Page

Alberta RCMP lay charges in irrigation thefts, damage

A Vauxhall, Alta. resident faces numerous charges in connection with the theft and damage to irrigation pivots. RCMP Southern Alberta District Crime Reduction Unit (SAD CRU) began its investigation in May, with the assistance of Strathmore and Brooks RCMP, looking into a series of damage to and theft from irrigation pivots from various farms. These thefts began in the area of Wheatland County, and the investigation led to a suspect being identified. During the early morning hours of July 16, SAD CRU officers observed the suspect in the process of stealing irrigation equipment from a farm in Newell County. The suspect fled the area in a vehicle at an extremely high rate of speed, and when police again located the vehicle, they determined that the suspect had fled on foot into the City of Brooks. The suspect was located in Brooks and arrested. Through further investigation, police were able to confirm the suspect’s involvement in additional irrigation equipment thefts from farms in So

Ag Ministers agree to Agri-Stability changes

A news release from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada re-iterated an announcement from earlier this year that for the 2025 program year only, the compensation rate goes up from 80% to 90% and the maximum payment limit increases from $3 million to $6 million.  Saskatchewan Crop Insurance Corporation will be implementing those changes immediately, according to a news release from the Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture. For the 2026 program year, Agri-Stability is adjusting the feed inventory pricing for livestock producers, so it "appropriately captures the feed inventory valuation method for inventories destined to be used on farm and not sold" the provincial Ag Ministry said. The Ag Ministers are also looking to include feed costs associated with rented pasture as an allowable expense in advance of the 2026 program year, then report back on the progress made at next September's annual meeting. In addition to re-iterating their commitment to improving business risk management progr

Random observations and opinions

Early-seeded crops often yield the best, but in many areas that doesn’t appear to be the case this year. Early-seeded crops seem to have suffered more from the dry conditions at the beginning of the growing season. Ultra-early seeding of wheat and durum has shown good results in research trials the past few years, but every growing season is a bit different. The latest crop report from the Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture has maps showing crop ratings across the province. Cereal crops and canola generally have lower ratings than peas and lentils. The crop report also shows the largest area of short and very short topsoil moisture is now in northwest Saskatchewan whereas it had previously been in the southwest. Prime Minister Mark Carney announced 50 per cent tariffs on Chinese steel this week, a response to the steel tariffs Canada faces when exporting to the U.S. While the Canadian tariff action was widely applauded, analysts within agriculture worry about how China may res

Lactalis closing beverage plant in Sudbury

The closure is effective Dec. 12, 2025

Fusarium And Sprouting Alert for Wheat

Ontario wheat faces fusarium and sprouting risks. Timely harvest, disease checks, and seed care protect yields and grain quality amid changing field conditions.