St. Mary River Irrigation District’s chair says investing in irrigation infrastructure produces a good return for the provincial economy.

Irrigation districts say they’re grateful for provincial funding

This year's allocation is smaller, but there's recognition that 'tax dollars are very hard to come by now'

This year’s allocation is smaller but there’s recognition that ‘tax dollars are very hard to come by now’

Reading Time: 2 minutes It was cheque-cashing time for Alberta’s irrigation districts earlier this month as the provincial government announced $10 million in allocations through the Irrigation Rehabilitation Program (IRP) for the 2020-21 budget year. In place for over 50 years, the IRP is a 75-25 cost-share program between the province and Alberta’s irrigation districts. As its name suggests, […] Read more

(Country Guide file photo)

Prairie cash wheat: Gains for CWRS, CPSR as durum drops

MarketsFarm — Wheat bids in Western Canada were higher for Canada Western Red Spring (CWRS) and Canada Prairie Spring Red (CPSR) wheats the week ended Thursday. However, prices for Canada Western Amber Durum (CWAD) dropped. Support came from significant increases in Chicago, Minneapolis and Kansas City wheat futures, but a stronger Canadian dollar held back […] Read more


A barley crop south of Ethelton, Sask. on July 30, 2019. (Dave Bedard photo)

Feed weekly outlook: Grain prices soften into fall

MarketsFarm — Old-crop feed grain prices are converging with new-crop and coming under some seasonal pressure. “As we get closer to new crop, we’ve been seeing the switch to new-crop prices from old-crop,” said Erin Harakal, a senior trader with Agfinity in Lethbridge. Feed barley prices are around $195-$200 per tonne delivered in the Lethbridge […] Read more



(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)

Klassen: Yearling prices on fire

Canada's cattle herd remains in contraction stage

Compared to last week, yearlings coming off grass traded $3-$5 higher; backgrounded yearlings were $1-$3 higher on average while calf markets were relatively unchanged. February and April live cattle futures closed marginally lower for the week; however, fed cattle basis levels from U.S. packers are very strong for winter and spring. This appears to be […] Read more

A local institution for 113 years, the Lloydminster Exhibition Association says it won't make it through the winter unless something changes.

One in 10 ag societies could close their doors by next year

There’s been no government aid, revenues have fallen to near zero, 
and reserves have been used up

Reading Time: 4 minutes Two world wars couldn’t stop them. The Spanish flu couldn’t shut them down. But if government support doesn’t come soon, COVID-19 might do what those global crises couldn’t — close the doors forever on century-old agriculture societies across the country. “I’ll be honest, we have less than six months,” said Jenelle Saskiw, general manager of […] Read more


A Meta Cannabis retail store on Yonge Street in Toronto. (CNW Group/Meta Growth)

Canadian cannabis retailers poised to merge

High Tide, Meta Growth to create biggest weed retailer

Two major Canadian cannabis sellers are poised to create the largest pot retailer in the country by revenue. Calgary retailer High Tide Inc., which operates the Canna Cabana chain of stores in three provinces, announced a merger deal Friday to take up Toronto-based Meta Growth Corp., which runs the Meta Cannabis and NewLeaf Cannabis chains. […] Read more

(Country Guide file photo)

Prairie cash wheat: Increases for CWRS and CPSR, durum steady

MarketsFarm — Cash wheat bids in Western Canada continued to build this week, on momentum from the previous week. Canada Western Red Spring (CWRS) and Canada Prairie Red Spring (CPRS) wheats saw price increases for the week ended Thursday. Meanwhile, prices for Canada Western Amber Durum (CWAD) held steady. Support came from increases in Chicago, […] Read more


(PorcOlymel.com)

Olymel’s Red Deer plant holds at one COVID case

Pork plant employee's contacts returning to work

A production line employee at Olymel’s hog slaughter plant at Red Deer, Alta. remains the facility’s lone COVID-19 case after her contacts at the plant tested negative for the virus, the company says. Olymel, the meat packing arm of Quebec ag co-operative Sollio, confirmed the lone COVID-19 case at its Red Deer site on Aug. […] Read more