Wayne Black's Page

Dry conditions behind rapid seeding progress

Spring seeding is well underway across Saskatchewan, with 18 per cent of the 2025 crop now planted. The current provincial seeding progress of 18 per cent is ahead of the five-year average (2020-2024) of 10 per cent and the 10-year average (2015-2024) of 12 per cent. Despite multiple storms throughout the province in April, producers were able to get into their fields and make rapid progress over the last couple of weeks. The southwest region is the furthest advanced with 43 per cent seeded so far and the first seeded crops starting to emerge. The northwest and southeast regions are also making good progress with 15 per cent and 14 per cent of seeding complete, respectively. The west-central region is reporting 11 per cent seeding completion, and the east-central and northeast regions are both reporting nine per cent of seeding complete. Pulse crops are leading in seeding completion, with lentils at 34 per cent seeded, field peas at 31 per cent and chickpeas at 28 per cent. Durum is

Fighting global hunger one crop at a time

As Saskatchewan farmers begin seeding the 2025 crop, Grow Hope Saskatchewan is launching its eighth growing season with a new partner at the table. Canadian Lutheran World Relief (CLWR) has joined the ecumenical project expanding the collective effort to end global hunger. “We are thrilled to join this vital project, partnering with Canadian Foodgrains Bank, local farmers, and fellow agencies as we work together toward our shared goal of ending world hunger,” said Cody Cleave, CLWR Donor Relations Manager. Saskatchewan Representative for the Canadian Foodgrains Bank and a member of the Grow Hope SK Steering Committee Rick Block said CLWR is a welcomed addition. “It’s encouraging to see more churches coming together around something so tangible and effective,” Block said. Grow Hope Saskatchewan connects farmers who donate land with donors who cover input costs of roughly $350 per acre. Crops are grown and harvested, and proceeds are matched up to 4:1 through Canadian Foodgrains Ban

Alberta join group that monitors apiaries near crop fields

A non-profit company that promotes communication and stewardship among crop producers, beekeepers and pesticide applicators has welcomed Alberta as the third provincial member. FieldWatch also includes 27 states, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and the District of Columbia. The membership will enable Alberta hobbyists and commercial beekeepers, as well as organic and conventional crop producers, to use a secure, easy-to-use online registry to identify and map the locations of apiaries and crop fields that pesticide applicators should avoid. The free and voluntary registries, DriftWatch™ and BeeCheck™, will be available to all Alberta beekeepers and crop producers. FieldWatch President and CEO Bob Walters said FieldCheck® is the online and mobile portal that pesticide applicators can use to improve decision-making and avoid damage from spray drift to crops and beehives. “The goal is to get beekeepers and crop producers registered through FieldWatch so applicators can access accurate inform

International Day of Plant Health is May 12

May 12 marks the International Day of Plant Health, and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is reminding everyone of their role in safeguarding agriculture, forests, and the environment in Canada.

Collaborative efforts improve living and working conditions for Ontario’s TFWs

As spring arrives, Ontario’s fruit and vegetable farms are once again welcoming seasonal and temporary farm workers from other countries.