Reading Time: 2 minutes Saskatchewan expects to pull back its spending on agriculture by about $22.4 million in its 2020-21 budget year, mainly in a reduced outlay on business risk management (BRM) programs. Provincial Finance Minister Donna Harpauer on Wednesday tabled the province’s 2020-21 spending estimates with the “unusual step” of not including revenue forecasts, citing the current COVID-19 […] Read more
Saskatchewan pares ag spending in estimates
Spending estimates released without revenue forecasts
Take extra steps to keep farm workers safe during COVID-19
Add biosecurity practices, or ramp up the ones you already employ
Reading Time: 3 minutes Farmers concerned about the spread of COVID-19 can learn from the hog sector on the matter of protecting themselves and their workers, says a leading expert on biosecurity in the pork industry. “This is the world of biosecurity that the swine industry deals with on a daily basis,” said Dr. Egan Brockhoff, veterinarian counsellor for […] Read more
No Prairie farm fuel shortages expected in pandemic
Continuity plans in place to keep fuel moving
Reading Time: 2 minutes Prairie farmers shouldn’t see a disruption to their farm fuel distribution as a result of COVID-19 safety measures. “Our members are committed to minimizing disruptions to the Canadian fuel supply as a result of the pandemic response,” Canadian Fuels Association spokesperson Jason Vaillant said in an email. “Our members are working tirelessly to maintain operations […] Read more
U.S. livestock: Cattle, hogs fall on demand uncertainty
Reading Time: < 1 minute Chicago | Reuters — U.S. livestock futures fell on Wednesday, pressured by sharp declines in the equities markets and uncertainty about demand due to the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic. The cattle and hog markets surged on Tuesday because of strength in the cash market after consumers cleared out grocery store shelves in anticipation of being homebound […] Read more
ICE weekly outlook: More virus volatility expected in canola
Reading Time: < 1 minute MarketsFarm — A sharp drop in the Canadian dollar helped lessen the blow of the COVID-19 pandemic on the ICE Futures canola market. However, volatility and uncertainty are expected to remain the feature in the upcoming weeks. Any strength in canola “is 100 per cent the Canadian dollar and nothing else,” said Ken Ball, of […] Read more
Federal COVID-19 response for ag sector remains unclear
Imports of farm labour, crop inputs among concerns
Reading Time: 2 minutes Canada’s agriculture sector is waiting on details of a federal response to the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic as its concerns pile up. Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada has stated it understands “the importance of a stable labour force enabling Canadian food supply, and (is) committed to giving Canadians and businesses the support they need” but is not […] Read more
Call your vet before you go to clinic during COVID-19
Different vet clinics have adopted different protocols
Reading Time: < 1 minute Animal welfare is paramount during COVID-19 — but so is human health. That’s why Darrell Dalton, registrar of the Alberta Veterinary Medical Association, recommends you call ahead before you go to your vet. “Different practices have taken different measures and different steps,” he said. “Some of the small practices are limiting the number of people […] Read more
Livestock auction marts to decide on next steps
Livestock Marketing Association of Canada pondering next move in face of pandemic
Reading Time: < 1 minute You may want to call first to see if it’s open, but many auction marts in Alberta were still having sales on Tuesday morning. The Livestock Marketing Association of Canada has a conference call set for this evening to discuss COVID-19 safety measures for staff, customers and buyers, said Chance Martin, an LMAC director and […] Read more
COVID-19 and farm workers: How do we manage on the farm?
Reading Time: 4 minutes Keeping up to date with COVID-19 details and recommended protocols is challenging for everyone at this time. CAHRC has created a dedicated web page with the latest information, recommendations, employee management tips, tools (posters, policies) and links to authorities. These details will help you respond to the pandemic and limit the impact and spread of […] Read more
Impacts on ag expected as COVID-19 rocks markets
Farmers urged to manage expenses
Reading Time: 4 minutes Stocks continuing to plunge during the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic have left agricultural producers in Canada concerned about the potential impact. Thursday marked the biggest drop in Canadian stocks in 80 years, highlighted by many economists warning the country is on the brink of recession. Beyond growing fears of COVID-19’s economic impact, oil and gas stocks […] Read more
A message from April Stewart, Country Guide's Associate Editor
