This week’s ‘In Case You Missed’ comes to you from Agriculture in Motion, held between July 15 and 17 in Langham, Saskatchewan. See all of our Ag in Motion coverage at the Western Producer.
Canada’s chief trade commissioner, Sask. Premier talk trade at AIM
Canada’s chief trade commissioner visited the Ag in Motion site on Wednesday.
She said the current volatile trade environment makes it important to have a systematic approach to growing trade. This is why Canada needs partnerships. Canada has 15 trade agreements covering 51 countries, Wilshaw noted.
Even in the face of U.S. tariffs, the CUSMA trade deal has allowed goods to keep flowing. The U.S. will continue to be an important trading partner, she added.
Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe was on site on Tuesday. He said he was hopeful that the trade spat with China will see resolution. That spat has led to tariffs on Canadian canola oil and meal, peas and pork.
Moe said he’s discussed with the prime minister how Saskatchewan can help reach out to China, which is Saskatchewan’s second-largest trading partner.
Latest crop and livestock research on show
The latest in crop, forage and livestock research was on display at Ag in Motion.
Scientists from the University of Saskatchewan and National Research Council are studying a yellow-flowered variety of alfalfa to see if it can offer drought tolerance for future varieties. Much of the Prairies have seen drought or low moisture conditions for several years.
Yellow-flowering alfalfa has branched roots, rather than a large tap root. Researcher Bill Biligetu said this may make it better at finding water in the soil. Biligetu is hoping to combine drought tolerant traits with the higher yields of purple flowered alfalfa.
Meanwhile, Gerard Roney of Advantage Feeders in Australia, shared how controlled creep feeding can develop calves rumen. This can allow better uptake of energy and protein.
Controlled creep feeding is essentially providing feed “Ad lib,” said Roney, until the calves’ rumen gets going at around 100 days of age.
Machinery manufacturers bring latest (and largest) to Ag in Motion
It wouldn’t be a farm show without plenty of machinery to see and climb on.
Unverferth Manufacturing Company unveiled what it says is the biggest grain cart in the industry. The company’s Brent 3298 Avalanche dual-auger cart has a 3,150 bushel capacity, and unloading speeds of up to 1,000 bushels per minute. Its four-way directional downspout allows the operator to re-direct grain with limited tractor movement.
MacDon showed off its latest FlexDraper design. Its new FD2 Plus FlexDraper has two inches of extra flex at the cutter bar.
It allows it to follow the contour of the ground more efficiently. The header comes in widths from 30 to 50 feet.
