Harvest is now officially underway across Alberta, with pulse crops and fall cereals leading the charge, according to the new provincial crop report. As of this first report of the season, roughly 2% of the provincial crop is in the bin, in line with the 5- and 10-year averages. The South Region is out in front at 6% complete, followed by the Peace at 2%, while most other regions remain
Grain Millers Drive, a key transportation corridor for Saskatchewan’s agricultural sector, is set for major upgrades with the provincial government pledging to cover up to half the project’s cost, it was announced Wednesday. The road, located north of Yorkton, supports some of the province’s largest agri-business operations and is considered essential for moving goods to both national and international markets. "Grain Millers Drive is a critical access point for several major agri-businesses and industries," Premier Scott Moe said in a release. "This is a key artery for the movement of goods and services, connecting local producers to national and international markets." The seven-kilometre primary weight road is home to major agricultural processors, including Grain Millers Oat Mill and Richardson Oilseed, North America’s largest canola crush facility. The Louis Dreyfus Company also operates a nearby canola facility and plans to add a new pea protein production plant along Grain
As swathers, haybines and balers hit the fields, storing forages is on the minds of many beef cattle producers. Proper hay storage is essential to preserve these resources produced in the summer months and provide high-quality winter feed for livestock when grazing is not feasible or accessible. Preparation done ahead of time can help to avoid quality and quantity loses when harvested forages are exposed to the weather. A six-foot diameter round bale stored uncovered can be expected to have spoilage in a four-inch layer around the outside of the bale, which represents 20% of the bale volume. Given that feed is the major input cost in cattle production, producers must evaluate the cost of production for all stored hay systems to determine the one that best fits their operation and goals. Six considerations to enhance stored hay quality: 1. Minimize storage losses due to heating and mould growth by baling at moisture levels between 15% and 18%. 2. Increased bale density enhanc
Alberta boasts one of Canada’s strongest agricultural sectors and dairy production is a significant contributor. In 2024, Alberta produced 848 million litres of milk, making it the country’s third-largest producer. That same year, the industry employed 2,400 people. Alberta’s government introduced the Agri-Processing Investment Tax Credit (APITC) in 2023 to encourage investment in the value-added agri-processing manufacturing sector. Saputo has qualified for conditional approval of the tax credit by investing more than $38 million in capital equipment at its Edmonton facility, substantially increasing its production capacity. The expansion will also improve food safety, enhance workforce health and safety, and modernize machines for greater reliability. “We continue to attract diverse investment in Alberta’s agri-food industry by creating the ideal conditions for businesses to grow and establish operations in Alberta. The Saputo partnership’s conditional approval is a milestone for t
Fertilizer Canada appoints Casper Kaastra, CEO of Sollio Agriculture, as the new Chair of the association’s Board of Directors. Kaastra has served on the board for over five years, including the last two as Vice-Chair. He brings strong leadership and extensive experience in agriculture, fertilizer distribution, specialty products, and agri-retail.
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