News-Canada-West related content provided by https://www.farms.com/ Copyright � 1995-2026 Farms.com, Ltd. All Rights Reserved. UFA is investing in a new Prince Albert facility that will provide fuel, lubricants and crop inputs, helping farmers, transport operators and rural businesses across northeastern Saskatchewan. https://www.farms.com/ag-industry-news/ufa-invests-in-prince-albert-agriculture-636.aspx NEWS_246636 Fri, 04 Sep 2026 17:29:25 GMT Canadian wheat and barley research groups have joined forces to improve crop breeding, support innovation, and develop stronger varieties that benefit farmers and the agricultural industry. https://www.farms.com/ag-industry-news/cwrc-cbrc-unite-for-better-crop-breeding-635.aspx NEWS_246635 Fri, 04 Sep 2026 17:22:03 GMT Federal and Saskatchewan ministers announced 2026 AgriStability changes, including late enrollment and increased advance payments to support farmers hit by excess moisture and flooding https://www.farms.com/ag-industry-news/saskatchewan-expands-agristability-support-for-farmers-634.aspx NEWS_246634 Fri, 04 Sep 2026 17:05:30 GMT The Canadian Cattle Young Leaders (CYL) Program, a national youth initiative of the Canadian Cattle Association (CCA), is pleased to announce its 16 finalists for the 2026–2027 program year. The annual CYL Selections Competition took place on August 18, 2026, at the Canadian Beef Industry Conference in Winnipeg, Manitoba. During the competition, impressive semi-finalists from across Canada, involved in various roles within the beef supply chain, competed for a spot in the 2026 mentorship program year. Through the Selections Competition, semi-finalists rotated through discussions with their peers at six roundtables, each facilitated and judged by representatives from the program’s sponsors and industry. Semi-finalists put their skills to the test during thought provoking discussions about timely beef industry topics such as education, succession planning, leadership, public trust, innovative technology and international trade. Each finalist will be awarded a $3,000 budget for beef i https://www.farms.com/news/canadian-cattle-young-leaders-announce-2026-finalists-246622.aspx NEWS_246622 Fri, 04 Sep 2026 13:00:39 GMT Western Crop Innovations breeder Yadeta Kabeta explains how new barley varieties are helping Prairie farmers manage drought, improve water-use efficiency and maintain yield stability in an increasingly unpredictable climate. Few production challenges occupy prairie farmers’ minds more consistently than water. Some years it’s too little. Other years it’s too much. Even when total rainfall looks adequate, the timing often isn’t. Moisture may arrive after the crop’s most critical growth stages have passed, or disappear altogether during grain fill. For Yadeta Kabeta, barley breeder with Western Crop Innovations (WCI), that increasing variability has become one of the defining challenges facing Prairie crop production. “Low moisture availability or variability in moisture is currently probably a top concern for producers,” says Kabeta. “In recent years there has been so much variability in the amount of rainfall and in the patterns of rainfall. Sometimes it doesn’t come when crops need https://www.farms.com/news/breeding-barley-for-an-uncertain-water-future-246621.aspx NEWS_246621 Fri, 04 Sep 2026 12:58:19 GMT The Canadian Wheat Research Coalition and Canadian Barley Research Coalition have entered a formal strategic partnership aimed at strengthening and modernizing Canada’s wheat and barley breeding system. Announced Thursday, the agreement brings the Canadian Barley Research Coalition (CBRC) formally into ongoing discussions between the Canadian Wheat Research Coalition (CWRC), and Agriculture Canada on the future of cereal breeding. CWRC chair Jocelyn Velestuk said the partnership builds on a history of collaboration between the two organizations and reflects the common challenges facing wheat and barley breeding. “Many farmers grow both wheat and barley, and the breeding systems for both crops face similar challenges that we can now address collaboratively,” said Velestuk in a statement. The discussions grew out of a CWRC review of Canada’s wheat breeding innovation system, which examined potential risks and opportunities and how the system can continue developing high-performin https://www.farms.com/news/wheat-barley-groups-partner-to-reshape-canadian-breeding-system-246620.aspx NEWS_246620 Fri, 04 Sep 2026 12:56:16 GMT Saskatchewan’s 2026 crop is shaping up with lower yields than last year for many major crops, although durum, peas, and mustard are notable exceptions, according to the latest provincial crop report on Thursday. The province currently estimates the average spring wheat yield at 52 bu/acre, down from Statistics Canada’s final 2025 Saskatchewan yield of 55.8 bu. Barley is pegged at 74 bu./acre versus 78.2 last year, while oats are estimated at 94 bu/acre, down from 101. Canola is estimated at 38 bu/acre compared with 44.4 in 2025, while flax is projected at 26 versus 27.8. Durum is estimated at 44 bu/acre, up from 39.6 last year, while peas at 39 bu./acre are slightly above the 2025 yield of 38.6. The average provincial lentil yield is currently estimated by the province at 1,361 lbs/acre, below last year’s 1,705 lbs. Canary seed is pegged at 1,266 lbs versus 1,623 in 2025, while chickpeas at 1,501 pounds are down sharply from 1,985. Mustard is the exception, with the 2026 estimate https://www.farms.com/news/saskatchewan-yield-estimates-mixed-as-harvest-reaches-18-done-246619.aspx NEWS_246619 Fri, 04 Sep 2026 12:52:14 GMT Global food prices rose for a second consecutive month in August, reaching their highest level since late 2022, as adverse weather, geopolitical tensions and trade disruptions increased concerns about supplies of major agricultural commodities. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations said Friday that its Food Price Index averaged 133.3 points in August, up 1.9% from a revised July reading and 2.5% above a year earlier. The index had risen 0.6% in July after declining 0.3% in June. Despite reaching its highest level in about four years, the index remained roughly 17% below the all-time high of 160.2 points reached in March 2022 following the Russian invasion of Ukraine Cereal prices were among the main drivers of the August increase. The FAO cereal price index averaged 116.3 points, up 2.2% from July and reaching its highest level since May 2024. Prices increased across all major grains amid strong demand, weather concerns and continued uncertainty surrounding https://www.farms.com/news/global-food-commodity-prices-up-again-in-august-246618.aspx NEWS_246618 Fri, 04 Sep 2026 12:50:04 GMT The Farm Product Price Index rose 4.0% in June compared with the same month one year earlier. This increase was mainly due to the gain in the cattle and calves index (+17.5%), which more than offset the declines in the indexes of hogs (-6.4%) and total crops (-0.2%). Higher prices for cattle and calves contribute to the gain in the total livestock and animal products index In June, the total livestock and animal products index was up 8.2%, continuing an uninterrupted trend of monthly year-over-year increases that began in February 2021. Compared with June 2025, the cattle and calves index rose 17.5% in June 2026 on higher prices for cattle and calves, a result of strong global demand for beef, veal and live cattle and calves. The increase of the cattle and calves index outweighed the decline of the hogs index (-6.4%), mainly contributing to the gain of the total livestock and animal products index. Increases in the indexes of eggs in shell (+4.5%), unprocessed milk (+2.5%) and chick https://www.farms.com/news/farm-product-price-index-june-2026-246617.aspx NEWS_246617 Fri, 04 Sep 2026 12:47:20 GMT Canada has announced initial livestock tax deferral regions for 2026, helping producers affected by drought, flooding, and excess moisture manage finances and rebuild breeding herds. https://www.farms.com/ag-industry-news/canada-expands-livestock-tax-relief-for-producers-610.aspx NEWS_246610 Fri, 04 Sep 2026 09:42:58 GMT Heads Up Plant Protectants unveiled a refreshed brand identity and redesigned website at the 2026 Farm Progress Show to support its expansion in biological seed treatments. https://www.farms.com/ag-industry-news/heads-up-plant-protectants-unveils-new-brand-identity-607.aspx NEWS_246607 Fri, 04 Sep 2026 09:14:58 GMT The Canadian Oilseed Processors Association (COPA) is pleased to announce that Steve Pratte will join the organization as director of policy, effective September 2, 2026. “We are pleased to welcome Steve to COPA,” says Mark Walker, executive director of the Canadian Oilseed Processors Association. “Steve brings expertise in transportation policy and regulatory affairs, as well as significant experience in the Canadian grains sector. His work will strengthen COPA’s policy capacity and help advance the priorities of Canada’s oilseed processing industry.” Pratte brings almost 20 years of experience in transportation and biofuels policy across both the public and private sectors. He has held positions with a Class 1 railway, a national grain industry association, as well as the government of Manitoba. Pratte was also the 50th president of the Canadian Transportation Research Forum, serving in that role from 2021 to 2023. Most recently, he has worked as a consultant focusing on transporta https://www.farms.com/news/canadian-oilseed-processors-association-welcomes-steve-pratte-as-director-of-policy-246582.aspx NEWS_246582 Thu, 03 Sep 2026 17:41:57 GMT The Canadian Wheat Research Coalition (CWRC) Canadian Barley Research Coalition (CBRC) have entered a formal, strategic partnership to transform the Canadian wheat and barley breeding system. “Our two organizations have a history of working together on behalf of western Canadian farmers, so this formal partnership was a natural fit,” says CWRC chair Jocelyn Velestuk, who farms near Broadview, SK. “Many farmers grow both wheat and barley, and the breeding systems for both crops face similar challenges that we can now address collaboratively.” This new agreement represents the CBRC’s official entrance into ongoing discussions between the CWRC and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) that originated from the CWRC’s review of, and subsequent report on, the Canadian wheat breeding innovation system. The review was designed to identify and address potential risks and opportunities in the Canadian system, ensuring it continues to generate elite varieties for farmers across the country. https://www.farms.com/news/cwrc-and-cbrc-join-forces-to-transform-wheat-and-barley-breeding-246581.aspx NEWS_246581 Thu, 03 Sep 2026 17:39:40 GMT Strong gains in cattle, beef, wheat, and vegetable prices are shaping the USDA Economic outlook, while recovering egg production and lower milk prices are helping ease pressure in some food sectors. https://www.farms.com/ag-industry-news/usda-forecasts-beef-and-wheat-lead-farm-level-increases-580.aspx NEWS_246580 Thu, 03 Sep 2026 17:35:48 GMT Research is most valuable when it addresses real-world challenges and can be translated into practical solutions. For researchers focused on beef-related topics, understanding the realities of the Canadian beef industry can help ensure their work is relevant to the people who will ultimately use it. The Beef Cattle Research Council (BCRC) Beef Researcher Mentorship Program helps build those connections by pairing early-career researchers with innovative cattle producers and industry professionals. Through conversations, farm tours and industry events, mentors share their knowledge, experience and networks, providing valuable insight about the realities and priorities of Canada’s beef industry. Together, the 2025-26 Beef Researcher Mentorship Program mentors bring a diverse range of experiences from across Canada’s beef industry, from cattle production and veterinary medicine to research, marketing, animal health and industry leadership. By sharing their on-the-ground perspectives, th https://www.farms.com/news/meet-the-mentors-bringing-real-world-beef-industry-experience-to-research-246579.aspx NEWS_246579 Thu, 03 Sep 2026 17:33:03 GMT CPKC moved slightly more grain than CN last month https://www.farms.com/ag-industry-news/cn-and-cpkc-report-record-grain-movement-in-august-575.aspx NEWS_246575 Thu, 03 Sep 2026 14:15:23 GMT Genome Alberta is pleased to announce the appointment of five new members to its Board of Directors. Allison Swelin, Curtis Clarke, John Wilson, Virgil Lowe and Camille Ryan were appointed following the organization’s Annual General Meeting on June 25, 2026, each serving a three-year term. The new Directors bring extensive experience spanning technology commercialization, public policy, governance, agriculture, research, and innovation. Their collective expertise will help guide Genome Alberta as it continues to advance genomics innovation and data leadership for the economic and societal benefit of Alberta and beyond. “Alberta has tremendous opportunity to transform world-class research into technologies, companies and solutions that create lasting economic value. The breadth of experience our new Directors bring—from commercialization and entrepreneurship to agriculture, public policy and governance—will help Genome Alberta strengthen the pathway from discovery to impact while ensu https://www.farms.com/news/genome-alberta-welcomes-five-new-board-members-246561.aspx NEWS_246561 Thu, 03 Sep 2026 10:56:14 GMT George and his collaborators are investigating whether dysregulation (deficiency or excess) of essential metals is linked to the development of such diseases as multiple sclerosis (MS) caused by demyelination—damage to the protective myelin sheath that covers nerves. The research is a bold new approach, which builds on a hypothesis that imbalance of metals such as iron, zinc and copper might be important in MS, said George. “We propose to develop new methods for super-resolution visualization of metals using the synchrotron,” he said. “If metals are involved in MS and other demyelinating diseases, our study may lay the groundwork for developing potential therapeutics to prevent, delay or reduce severity of demyelination in certain subsets of MS patients.” Improved therapies are urgently needed for MS, which is a leading cause of disability in young adults worldwide. Saskatchewan and Alberta are hotspots for the incurable disease in Canada, which itself has a disproportionately high https://www.farms.com/news/university-of-saskatchewan-bold-usask-projects-aim-to-advance-ms-therapy-agriculture-innovation-246560.aspx NEWS_246560 Thu, 03 Sep 2026 10:53:08 GMT The Canadian Roundtable for Sustainable Beef (CRSB) held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) on August 18 as part of the Canadian Beef Industry Conference in Winnipeg, MB. An interim report on the CRSB’s Sustainability Strategy was released, providing an update on industry-wide progress report toward CRSB’s sustainability strategic actions and research priorities. The report highlights gaps and reinforces the importance of ongoing collaboration to advance sustainability outcomes through to 2030; it includes projects and initiatives identified through submissions to the CRSB Projects and Initiatives Database by CRSB members and industry stakeholders. The annual business meeting included reports from committees and Council on CRSB’s progress this year. Results of the CRSB’s Council elections, carried out electronically earlier this year, were announced (see page three), including the election of a new Council Chair. Renewing its Business Strategy and Plan is a priority for the CRSB in 20 https://www.farms.com/news/crsb-holds-12th-annual-general-meeting-at-the-canadian-beef-industry-conference-246559.aspx NEWS_246559 Thu, 03 Sep 2026 10:49:39 GMT Saskatchewan Pulse Growers (SPG) and the University of Saskatchewan’s (USask) Crop Development Centre (CDC) are pleased to announce a new collaboration for lentil and faba bean breeding in Saskatchewan. This newly formed collaboration builds on a 30-year history of partnership and will further increase pulse breeding capacity and a competitive environment to drive innovation for producers. The focus of the partnership is breeding stronger performing lentil and faba bean varieties for Saskatchewan. This work is guided by farmer-driven priorities, addressing key on-farm challenges. For lentil crops, this includes improved yield; improved Aphanomyces and Fusarium root rot resistance, resistance to foliar diseases (Anthracnose, Ascochyta blight), and herbicide tolerance with a focus on groups 5 and 14. For faba beans, breeding priorities include improved yield, maturity, seed size, and shape, improved architecture and resistance to lodging, and improved disease resistance. Breeding will https://www.farms.com/news/saskatchewan-pulse-growers-and-crop-development-centre-form-new-collaboration-for-lentil-faba-bean-breeding-246557.aspx NEWS_246557 Thu, 03 Sep 2026 10:48:20 GMT