Southwest Agricultural Conference - Ridgetown

St. Lawrence Seaway Workers Ratify New Four-Year Agreement

Unionized workers at the St. Lawrence Seaway have ratified a new four-year collective agreement, providing labour stability along a critical Canadian grain and commodity export corridor. The St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation said in a release Wednesday the agreement covers employees represented by five Unifor locals. The previous collective agreement expired on March 31, 2026. “A four-year agreement provides greater stability and predictability for our customers, our employees and the industries that depend on the Seaway,” said SLSMC president and CEO Jim Athanasiou. The agreement is particularly significant for the grain sector following the disruption caused by an eight-day Unifor strike in October 2023. About 360 workers walked off the job Oct. 22, shutting down most Seaway lock operations and halting vessel traffic between the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River during the busy fall grain shipping season. The shutdown quickly backed up grain movement, especially in

Saskatchewan Yield Estimates Mixed Versus StatsCan as Harvest Reaches 41%

Saskatchewan’s 2026 yield estimates are mixed compared with Statistics Canada’s September projections, with some crops coming in noticeably higher and others below. Thursday’s Saskatchewan crop report put this year’s average durum yield in the province at 46 bu/acre, comfortably above StatsCan’s projection of 40.9, while soybeans were pegged at 33 bu compared with 27.4 for StatsCan. Saskatchewan also has flax at 26 bu/acre versus StatsCan’s 22.4, while lentils are estimated by the province at 1,469 lbs/acre, above StatsCan’s 1,361 lbs, and mustard at 1,024 pounds versus the federal agency’s 1,001. However, the provincial estimate for canola is lower at 39 bu/acre compared to StatsCan’s 41.9, while barley is estimated at 73 bu, below 75.8 for StatsCan. Dry peas are also slightly lower at 38 bu versus 39 for StatsCan. The province has the average Hard Red Spring wheat yield at 52 bu/acre, and other spring wheat at 56 bu, compared to StatsCan’s spring wheat yield of 52.1 bu. Oats ar

AAFC moving forward with research farm closures

Minister MacDonald responded to a committee report on the issue

Mondelez Invests in Canadian Farms to Support Growth

Mondelez Canada Inc. has invested in Area One Farms Fund V to provide family farms with growth capital, strengthening supply chains and supporting regenerative agriculture.

FCC Report Highlights Challenges for Food Manufacturers

Canadian food and beverage manufacturers achieved an $88.1-billion sales total in mid-2026, though price inflation masked flat production volumes amid growing trade uncertainties.