Avia Eek's Blog (4)

Prime Minister Carney names new cabinet, including new agriculture minister

On May 13, 2025, Prime Minister Carney announced his new cabinet, which features a mix of returning and new faces. This cabinet differs from previous ones, featuring fewer ministers and the return of Secretaries of State, who have specific roles, but are not officially part of the cabinet. The new government plans to encourage investment and develop a resilient Canadian economy that offers higher-paying jobs, increases income, and can endure future challenges. Key portfolios related to Canadian agriculture: Heath MacDonald, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Health MacDonald, a politician from Prince Edward Island, will lead efforts within Canada’s agriculture sector. MacDonald has served as the Member of Parliament for Malpeque since 2021. Before his federal role, he was elected to the Legislative Assembly of Prince Edward Island in 2015, representing Cornwall-Meadowbank. He has held various ministerial positions including Minister of Economic Development and Tourism, and Minis

Spring Seeding Underway In Saskatchewan

In the wake of recent warmer weather and dryer conditions, the public is reminded that agriculture producers and equipment are back in the field as seeding operations are underway in earnest across Saskatchewan. The first weekly Crop Report of the 2025 growing season, published on May 8, indicates that seeding progress is presently at 18 per cent across the province, well ahead of both the five-year average (10 per cent) and the 10-year average (12 per cent). "Producers have wasted no time getting into the field and making a lot of progress in the past few weeks, and we should keep in mind that this work will only ramp up in the days ahead," Agriculture Minister Daryl Harrison said. "Their tenacity, their innovative nature, and their work ethic extends across the entire agriculture industry and I want to say thank you to the farmers and ranchers of Saskatchewan for everything you do." Saskatchewan drivers are encouraged to watch for farm machinery they may encounter moving along o

Why We Need to Talk More About Vigour Testing — And Less About Size

When it comes to seed testing, it’s not just about size or germination rates. It’s about understanding the true potential of a seed under real-world conditions. That’s where vigour testing comes in. For years, germination testing has been the gold standard. It’s straightforward: plant seeds in the perfect environment, see how many sprout, and take that as the seed’s maximum potential. But what about when conditions aren’t ideal? What about the unpredictable weather, fluctuating temperatures, or stressors that seeds face once they’re in the ground? That’s where germination falls short. It’s a good indicator of potential — under ideal circumstances — but it doesn’t tell you much about how a seed will perform in the field. That’s exactly what vigour testing addresses. It’s a way of simulating stress — like cold, heat, or drought — and seeing how quickly, uniformly, and reliably seeds emerge in those less-than-perfect conditions. It’s a more practical, more honest measure of how your see

Map: April Brings Variable Prairie Precipitation; Increase in Drought and Dryness

April brought highly variable precipitation across Western Canada, but the bottom line was a modest increase in abnormal dryness and drought compared to March. The latest monthly update of the Canadian drought monitor showed 41% of Prairie agricultural lands impacted by abnormal dryness or some form of drought as of the end of last month. That’s up from 32% In March and 23% at the end of February. According to the monitor, a broad area from east-central Alberta through central Saskatchewan and into southern and central Manitoba saw well below-normal April precipitation, with some areas receiving less than 40% of normal. Alberta's Peace Region was shortchanged as well, receiving under 60% of normal precipitation. On the other hand, much of the rest of the Prairies received between 85% and over 200% of normal precipitation, with the highest precipitation amounts falling across northern and southeastern Alberta, southern Saskatchewan, and southwestern Manitoba. Much of this came in

Spring into local: Ontario’s fresh food season kicks off with asparagus

Spring has sprung in Ontario and that means fresh food and farm products are starting to appear in farmers’ markets, roadside stands and grocery stores across the province.