Kevin Butler's Page

Optimism high as Premier Moe and Prime Minister Carney talk trade with Chinese officials

With Premier Scott Moe in China with Prime Minister Mark Carney over the next few days, Provincial Agriculture Minister David Marit told reporters Tuesday morning his optimism for the tariffs on canola and other agri-food products is high. "I would have to think, for the Prime Minister to be going, that they probably think that there's some end to this, and I would hope that there would be," Marit said at the Western Development Museum following an announcement of ADF funding allocated to 39 crop research projects.  "I'm sure our Premier's going to be having the full discussion about the canola tariffs and the tariffs and the pea tariffs that we're having as important for the food supply chain and everything, and the impact it's having, not only here to the producers, but for the food that they do also need in China." When asked by Kevin Hursh, Chief Agricultural Editor of SaskAgToday.com, if it is reasonable to be optimistic unless Canada can make movement on tariffs on Chinese ele

Cargill on track to start-up canola crush facility this spring

Cargill's canola crush facility in Regina is expected to be operational this spring. The project started in 2022 and was originally set to open last fall but was delayed due to construction challenges and economic factors. Christopher Kuntz, a grain marketing advisor for Cargill's Davidson and Clavet locations, says it's a good feeling to finally have the facility come online. "I know we've been talking about this piece of infrastructure being built for well since like 2018, 2019. So having an end in sight and getting that up and running for our customers this spring is a happy event for everybody involved." he said. The plant is located on the west end of Regina, in the Global Transportation Hub for better access, Kuntz said. "It gives us an opportunity to really pull in canola from a number of different areas without having to actually go through the city of Regina, which could be a bind. Access to a couple of different rail lines as well is very important when you're setting up

National consortium formed to accelerate Canadian pea breeding through genomic selection

Today at the Saskatchewan Crops Forum, Protein Industries Canada announced a new two-year project in its Capacity Building Program with GIFS Ag Tech Enterprise Inc. and DL Seeds to develop a pea variety development database that will consolidate genetic information and data for breeders across Canada. With the University of Saskatchewan’s Crop Development Centre (CDC) and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) serving as fundamental partners in this effort, the consortium will integrate genetic, phenotypic, environmental and pedigree data from across the country. This new data analysis platform will empower pulse breeders to leverage thousands of data points simultaneously, improving the quality and speed of breeding decisions and accelerating the development of new crop varieties. “Our government is proud to invest in this collaboration powered by Protein Industries Canada,” said the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for Canada Economic Developm

CPMA set to host the biggest produce show in Toronto: Early bird registration is now live

Online registration for the 2026 Canadian Produce Marketing Association’s Convention and Trade Show (CPMA 2026), taking place April 28-30, in Toronto, Ontario, is now open.

We’re Hiring! Southwestern Ontario Farmland Protection Coordinator

The Ontario Farmland Trust (OFT) is a niche land conservation organization that works to permanently protect Ontario’s farmland and associated natural features from being lost to urban sprawl and other non-agricultural uses. We are seeking a dedicated and motivated Farmland Protection Coordinator to join our team who will be responsible for supporting OFT’s farmland protection and conservation efforts in Southwestern Ontario.