News-Canada-West related content provided by https://www.farms.com/ Copyright � 1995-2026 Farms.com, Ltd. All Rights Reserved. From traceability to trade structure, coal mining to wildlife conflict, ABP has active working groups on four of the most important files facing Alberta beef producers. Here are updates from each of the groups: Traceability Following the direction of resolutions carried by delegates at the 2026 Annual General Meeting, ABP’s board is forming a dedicated Traceability Working Group. The working group will examine traceability closely, with the objective of providing producer-driven feedback and solutions that reflect on-the-ground realities across Alberta’s beef sector. Members of the working group are being finalized, and will include representatives from ABP’s executive, directors and delegates; partner cattle organizations; and groups such as the Government of Alberta. The working group will be supported by a dedicated facilitator to maintain clear timelines, while also ensuring issues are thoroughly examined. The goal is to develop realistic, workable recommendations to present t https://www.farms.com/news/abp-working-groups-address-key-issues-243212.aspx NEWS_243212 Fri, 12 Jun 2026 14:33:48 GMT New COP Network benchmarks reveal what drives forage production costs in Canadian cow-calf operations, from hay and silage to greenfeed, and where producers can improve efficiency. Forage is the backbone of every cow-calf operation — but how much does it really cost to grow? While feed is often viewed as a “homegrown” input, the reality is that forage production can make or break cost competitiveness, especially as input costs continue to rise. Data from the Canadian Cow-calf Cost of Production Network show wide differences in the cost of producing forages such as hay, corn silage, corn for grazing, cereal silage, and greenfeed. But the real insight isn’t just what those costs are, it’s why they differ from farm to farm. Forage costs vary, management matters This analysis includes data from 59 COP Network benchmark farms from 2020 to 2024, covering five major forage types — hay, corn silage, corn for grazing, cereal silage, and greenfeed. Hay remains the dominant forage on Canadia https://www.farms.com/news/what-drives-the-true-cost-of-forage-production-243211.aspx NEWS_243211 Fri, 12 Jun 2026 14:31:34 GMT Like any piece of farm equipment, pickup trucks are subject to recalls https://www.farms.com/ag-industry-news/multiple-pickup-trucks-under-recall-205.aspx NEWS_243205 Fri, 12 Jun 2026 13:11:01 GMT Provincial seeding progress is nearly complete as 93 per cent of seed has been put in the ground across Saskatchewan. The latest figure is up from 80 per cent the previous week, but is still behind the five and ten year average of 97 per cent. The west-central region leads the way at 98 per cent complete, the southwest at 97 per cent, the southeast 96 per cent, the northwest 95 per cent and the northeast entered the home stretch at 92 per cent complete. But farmers in the east-central region still have some work to do as progress currently sits at 84 per cent. While it's a large increase from 63 per cent the previous week, it remains behind the five year average of 93 per cent for the region. Crops Extension Specialist with the Ministry of Agriculture Samantha Marcino, who is based out of Yorkton, notes the Calder area had 164 millimetres of rain and the Canora area around 72 mm. "This did increase the topsoil moisture levels, obviously, in those regions, and some of them were sit https://www.farms.com/news/most-regions-hit-the-home-stretch-of-seeding-243186.aspx NEWS_243186 Fri, 12 Jun 2026 10:36:33 GMT Students at Lanigan School will soon get their hands dirty while learning about food production and agriculture. Horizon School Division and Nutrien announced this week a partnership that will see the installation of a hydroponic grow container at the school. Director of Education for Horizon Kevin Garinger says they first saw the grow container in Alberta a few years ago, and the one to be established in Lanigan is the first of its kind within the School Division. "Food security is so vital, and I think one of the things that we are trying to do through this process is educate our children about the impact of the work our farmers, our communities, and our big businesses do in support of agriculture in our province and ultimately across our country and world." said Garinger, adding its opportunities like this that can inspire students to pursue a career in agriculture. "If we make that impact, if we make that kind of impact on the ag industry, on our children to understand that the https://www.farms.com/news/horizon-school-division-nutrien-bring-hydroponic-learning-lab-to-lanigan-students-243185.aspx NEWS_243185 Fri, 12 Jun 2026 10:35:03 GMT Alberta’s three largest crop commissions, Alberta Canola, Alberta Grains and Alberta Pulse Growers, have launched a new mobile app for Alberta’s Crop Protection Guide, better known as the Blue Book, giving farmers and agronomists convenient, on the go access to crop protection guidance. Developed collaboratively by the three commissions, the Blue Book app is now available for download on Apple and Android devices. This launch follows feedback gathered in 2024, when producers and agronomists identified a growing need for a mobile-friendly version of the long-standing resource. “This app is about putting practical, science-based information directly into the hands of farmers and agronomists when and where they need it,” said Alberta Grains Chair Scott Jespersen. “The Blue Book has been a trusted resource for decades and this next step ensures it continues to support informed decision-making on farms across Alberta.” The Blue Book has supported Alberta farmers since 1977, offering guid https://www.farms.com/news/new-blue-book-app-puts-farm-decisions-in-alberta-farmers-hands-243184.aspx NEWS_243184 Fri, 12 Jun 2026 10:31:06 GMT The Canadian Cattle Association (CCA), National Cattle Feeders’ Association (NCFA) and Canadian Beef Breeds Council (CBBC) are pleased to announce that the Traceability Task Force has been established. The task force will begin work immediately, exploring opportunities and barriers for beef cattle traceability. The Task Force will focus on traceability to support disease and emergency preparedness and response for beef cattle. The task force’s mandate is to first define the outcomes a traceability system must meet to protect industry and serve producers. Subsequently the task force is mandated to propose a clear, practical traceability framework for beef cattle that meets those outcomes. In their work, the task force will consider if outcomes are best achieved through regulatory requirements, an industry-led approach, or a combination of both. The ultimate outcome for the task force is to recommend a clear industry policy position on traceability. Their recommendation will provide a https://www.farms.com/news/beef-cattle-traceability-task-force-is-established-immediately-assessing-opportunities-and-barriers-to-traceability-243183.aspx NEWS_243183 Fri, 12 Jun 2026 10:29:46 GMT Seeding nears completion across most of Alberta while late-May rains recharge soil moisture reserves. After a dry start to the growing season, Alberta producers received some welcome relief as widespread rains arrived at the end of May, helping replenish soil moisture and improve growing conditions across much of the province. According to Alberta’s latest Crop Report, provincial seeding progress reached 93 per cent by June 2, putting farmers within striking distance of the five-year average of 97 per cent. While northern regions remain behind normal due to delayed field access and slower planting conditions, most of southern and central Alberta have essentially wrapped up seeding. Seeding Progress Accelerates Dry weather earlier in the week allowed producers to make significant gains in planting operations before rains moved across the province. The South and Central regions are virtually finished seeding, both reporting 99 per cent completion. The North East sits at 91 per cent, t https://www.farms.com/news/crops-catch-up-as-rain-brings-much-needed-relief-243182.aspx NEWS_243182 Fri, 12 Jun 2026 10:27:41 GMT Saskatchewan seeding continued to advance over the past week, with several regions now nearing completion despite progress still running slightly behind normal. The latest weekly provincial crop report on Thursday showed seeding at 93% complete as of Monday, up from 80% a week earlier. However, progress remains behind both the five- and 10-year averages of 97% for this time of year. Last year at this time, seeding was wrapped up for the year. The west-central region is the furthest advanced at 98% complete, followed closely by the southwest at 97%. Seeding is 96% complete in the southeast, 95% in the northwest and 92% in the northeast. The east-central region made gains over the week but continues to trail the rest of the province at 84% complete. Provincially, seeding is nearly finished for field peas, lentils, durum and spring wheat, while other cereal and oilseed crops also made further progress. Field peas are 99% seeded, followed by durum at 97%, spring wheat and lentils at https://www.farms.com/news/saskatchewan-seeding-almost-finished-243180.aspx NEWS_243180 Fri, 12 Jun 2026 10:24:57 GMT Abnormal dryness and drought across Western Canada were little changed in May compared to a month earlier. The latest monthly update of the Canadian drought monitor shows 19% of Prairie agricultural lands were being impacted by abnormally dry or drought conditions as of the end of May. That is 2 points higher than the end of April but slightly below 21% at the end of March and sharply below 47% in February. Much of the Prairie Region received below to well below normal precipitation in May, with the Peace Region, south-central Saskatchewan, and southern Manitoba recording less than 25% of normal. On the last day of the month, however, a large storm system in Alberta produced 40 to 80 mm of precipitation alone. In east-central Alberta up to 300% of normal monthly precipitation fell in the one day. Significant rainfall was also recorded in western regions of Saskatchewan but at lower levels than in eastern Alberta, the monitor said. Temperatures were generally below normal across https://www.farms.com/news/map-prairie-dryness-drought-little-changed-in-may-243150.aspx NEWS_243150 Thu, 11 Jun 2026 15:19:49 GMT U.S. soybean ending stocks – both old and new-crop - were left unchanged in USDA’s June supply-demand update on Thursday. For 2026-27, USDA made no changes to the U.S. soybean balance sheet this month. Estimated production remained at 4.435 billion bu, up 173 million from 2025-26, while the crush was held at 2.75 billion bu and exports at 1.63 billion. With no changes, forecasted 2026-27 U.S. soybean ending stocks were left steady from May at 310 million, modestly below the average trade guess of 314 million bu. The USDA also kept the 2026-27 season-average farm price unchanged at $11.40/bu, up from the 2025-26 estimate of $10.40. For old-crop 2025-26 soybeans, the USDA raised crush by 20 million bu, citing stronger soybean meal exports and domestic meal use, while soybean oil use for biofuel was also increased. However, exports were lowered by 20 million bushels based on available U.S. Census data, offsetting the increase in crush and leaving ending stocks unchanged at 340 mi https://www.farms.com/news/u-s-soybean-ending-stocks-steady-243149.aspx NEWS_243149 Thu, 11 Jun 2026 15:18:54 GMT The USDA left its 2026-27 U.S. corn outlook virtually unchanged this month, with the only supply-side change a 3 million-bu increase tied to a higher import forecast carried in from the old-crop balance sheet. In its June supply-demand update on Thursday, USDA left 2026-27 U.S. corn production unchanged at 15.995 billion bu, while all major demand categories were also steady. Feed and residual use was held at 6.1 billion bu, food, seed and industrial use at 6.955 billion, including 5.6 billion for ethanol, and exports at 3.15 billion. With no change in use, the small increase in 2026-27 beginning supplies carried directly into ending stocks, which were raised 3 million bu from May to 1.96 billion, slightly above the average pre-report trade guess of 1.942 billion. The season-average farm price was unchanged at $4.40/bu. Corn futures were trading about 7-8 cents/bu lower this afternoon, following the report’s noon hour EST release. For old-crop 2025-26, USDA also made only mo https://www.farms.com/news/only-modest-adjustments-for-old-new-crop-u-s-corn-243148.aspx NEWS_243148 Thu, 11 Jun 2026 15:17:40 GMT The organization received more applications than it can provide funding for https://www.farms.com/ag-industry-news/rdar-extends-ofcaf-pause-to-september-145.aspx NEWS_243145 Thu, 11 Jun 2026 14:27:23 GMT Public comment period nearing close on proposed updates to national beef cattle care standards.The Beef Code outlines expected and recommended animal care practices for beef cattle. The public comment period is an opportunity for anyone who has an interest in how beef cattle are raised in Canada, including consumers, veterinarians, food service professionals, and producers, to review the draft content and share feedback. Feedback gathered through the public comment period is critical and helps determine the content of the final document. Strong producer feedback from all regions of Canada is an important step in this process. The Beef Code is meant to drive continuous improvement in animal welfare and is built to be scientifically informed, practical, and reflect societal expectations for responsible farm animal care. The Code uses an outcome-based approach that focuses on achieving successful standards while allowing for flexibility in how these outcomes are met rather than dictati https://www.farms.com/news/don-t-miss-june-12-deadline-share-your-feedback-on-the-beef-cattle-code-of-practice-243122.aspx NEWS_243122 Thu, 11 Jun 2026 10:49:35 GMT Spring is always one of the best times of year in this business. Calving is underway, seed is going into the ground, and there’s a sense of momentum heading into the grazing season. This year, that momentum also includes a few policy wins worth noting. Strychnine is back in 2026! After its approval was pulled in 2023, producers have been searching for a useful option to control infestations of Richardson’s ground squirrel. If you’re impacted, you’ll know why this is a meaningful development. The rollout is still underway, with initial access expected toward the end of May. For some, that timing will miss the most effective spring window, which is frustrating. There is expected to be another opportunity later in the summer, but it won’t fully replace what many producers were hoping for this spring. That said, getting this approval across the line was no small task. This was very much an Alberta-led effort, with strong collaboration between cropping groups and ABP to build the case. A https://www.farms.com/news/from-the-government-desk-abp-keeping-up-momentum-243121.aspx NEWS_243121 Thu, 11 Jun 2026 10:47:29 GMT With Canada’s 2026 spring wheat crop underway, Cereals Canada has resumed regular updates to its interactive Growing Season Progress Report. The report will continue to be updated bi-weekly until harvest is complete across all three Prairie provinces. “The Growing Season Progress Report provides timely insights into Western Canadian wheat production, including environmental factors that may influence crop development and quality,” says Matilda van Aggelen, market and trade specialist. “We encourage global and domestic customers and members of the value chain to visit the report for regular updates on the 2026 Prairie wheat crop as the season progresses.” Cereals Canada collaborates with provincial departments of agriculture in Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba throughout the growing season to collect information on seeding progress, crop conditions and quality, and harvest activity for spring wheat. This information is compiled and presented in an interactive, user-friendly format https://www.farms.com/news/cereals-canada-launches-the-2026-growing-season-progress-report-243120.aspx NEWS_243120 Thu, 11 Jun 2026 10:43:04 GMT As Special Envoy, Rich will serve as a leading advocate for America’s farmers, ranchers, and private landowners, helping ensure their concerns are heard and their rights are protected. He will engage directly with landowners across the country and work to address challenges posed by government overreach, activist pressure campaigns, and outside interests that threaten private property rights and the long-term viability of rural communities. A key focus of Rich’s work will be advocating for landowners facing pressure related to large-scale solar and wind development that may impact productive farmland, ranchland, and rural livelihoods. He will work closely with USDA leadership and stakeholders to ensure landowners have a strong voice in decisions affecting their property and communities. “America’s farmers, ranchers, and landowners are among the greatest stewards of our nation’s resources and the backbone of our rural communities,” said Secretary Rollins. “President Trump understands https://www.farms.com/news/secretary-rollins-welcomes-president-trump-s-appointment-of-john-rich-as-special-envoy-for-american-landowners-243116.aspx NEWS_243116 Thu, 11 Jun 2026 10:35:55 GMT Massey Ferguson planters are designed to improve crop establishment through precise seed placement, advanced planting technologies and a flexible, field-proven platform. https://www.farms.com/ag-industry-news/massey-ferguson-planters-focus-on-precision-flexibility-and-long-term-efficiency-080.aspx NEWS_243080 Wed, 10 Jun 2026 16:12:17 GMT Safety protocols for technology on the farm deserve the same amount of attention as the safety protocols you have in place for operating farm machinery. Information in this technology footprint is vast and growing. Private details, such as banking and financial information and employees’ personal details, are examples of digital farm data that are crucial to running your operation and are meant to be accessible to a select few. As the use of technology on the farm increases, the amount of information grows. Malicious software, called malware, can infiltrate your computer or smartphone through viruses or spyware, damaging files and stealing information. Sometimes, those behind the infiltration will lock owners out of the computer, encrypt files and hold access for ransom. Cyber defence experts say farms, like many small and medium-sized businesses that use devices such as mobile phones and laptops for both personal and business purposes, can also be targets. Here are some steps to t https://www.farms.com/news/6-ways-to-protect-your-farm-s-data-243076.aspx NEWS_243076 Wed, 10 Jun 2026 14:41:35 GMT RDAR, a leader in results-driven agriculture research in Canada, advises that intake for the 2026 On-Farm Climate Action Fund (OFCAF) remains paused while applications are under review. Applicants will be notified as soon as decisions are made to approve or decline their applications. Producer response to this year’s intake has been exceptionally strong. RDAR has received more than 900 applications requesting over $21.2 million, far exceeding the $17.2 million available. Assessments are underway to determine which applications can be supported under program requirements and available funding. “The level of interest in OFCAF reflects Alberta producers’ strong commitment to practices that improve resilience, productivity, and environmental outcomes,” said RDAR CEO Dr. Mark Redmond. “Given the volume of applications, we are taking the time needed to complete a fair and disciplined assessment process.” Assessment Underway RDAR is reviewing submitted applications against program criteri https://www.farms.com/news/ofcaf-application-intake-pause-extended-to-september-due-to-unprecedented-demand-243075.aspx NEWS_243075 Wed, 10 Jun 2026 14:39:39 GMT