Agriculture Roundup for Tuesday, January 24, 2023

Jan 25, 2023

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is looking for a new leader.

According to media outlet Real Agriculture, President Siddika Mithani left the position suddenly after she sent a letter to colleagues and industry partners informing them of her retirement from public service.

Organizations including the National Farmers Union sent a letter to Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau last fall asking that Mithani be replaced over concerns about communications between the CFIA and CropLife Canada in drafting regulations regarding gene-edited crops.

The CFIA president supervises the agency, its staff, and its programs, reporting to both the Minister of Health and Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food on issues related to plant health, animal health, food safety, and international trade.

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Video: Sclerotinia and Lygus in Seed Canola: Field Update with George Lubberts, CCA | Enchant, Alberta

Join Certified Crop Advisor George Lubberts for this Prairie Certified Crop Advisor (Prairie CCA) field update from Enchant, Alberta. In this 12th video of the series, George takes us into a seed canola field where the male rows have been removed and the female plants are filling pods. This video was taken in the third week of August 2025.

George discusses the early signs of sclerotinia stem rot, explaining how infection begins in the stem, impacts pod development, and leads to premature ripening. He also shares insights on lygus bug management, including timing of spray applications to minimize feeding damage and maintain seed size and quality.

With cool, damp summer conditions, George notes that while disease pressure is present, overall field health remains good. The crop is just beginning to show early seed colour change, signaling progress toward maturity.

Topics Covered:

•Sclerotinia stem rot identification and impact

•Managing lygus bugs in seed canola

•Crop stage and seed colour change observations

•Timing insecticide sprays for optimal protection

•Insights from a CCA field perspective in southern Alberta