News and events for Western Canada livestock producers

Get a new APP, prepare for coming AGM, book dates for fall conference

NEW APP FROM ALBERTA BEEF PRODUCERS The Alberta Beef Producers (ABP) Daily app is now available to download for Apple and Android devices. Top three reasons to download the app: Stay up-to-date: With direct access to ABP Daily, it’s easy to stay up-to-date on the latest happenings in the beef industry. Keep an eye on the markets:The latest cattle […] Read more



My experiences with Saskatchewan Crop Insurance have been mostly positive. – Les Henry

Les Henry: Government farm programs

My experience as a two-bit farmer

Farm programs are much in the news these days. “I am from the government and am here to help you.” Have you ever heard that one before? Full disclosure — I am not an ag economist so this is largely opinion backed up with facts based on my experience as a two-bit farmer. A bit […] Read more


How to determine when to spray for flea beetles

How to determine when to spray for flea beetles

Q & A with an expert

Q: What factors should I consider when spraying for flea beetles? A: Over the last couple of years, southern Saskatchewan has experienced high flea beetle pressure. The warm, dry springs we have had are favourable for flea beetle emergence and activity. However, those same weather conditions slow crop growth, leaving canola plants at a vulnerable […] Read more

Editor’s Column: Farmers are worried about dry conditions this spring — here’s what some are doing about it

Editor’s Column: Farmers are worried about dry conditions this spring — here’s what some are doing about it

If you are worried about the dry conditions heading into this spring, a recent survey says you’re not alone. It also reveals the changes some Prairie producers will make to their plans for 2021 in response to the dry conditions. On April 9-10, a total of 719 active Canadian producers responded to a survey carried […] Read more


In order for crops to grow successfully, a select group of nutrients need to be present in your soil.

A look at organic farming

Your crop’s nutrient requirements are the same whether you choose organic or conventional production systems

The word organic in farm practice is just about totally confusing. Does it mean pesticide-free, GMO-free, or chemically produced fertilizer-free. Just keep in mind there are no such things as synthetic fertilizers. All fertilizers are simply minerals that are essential for plant growth. These minerals are the macro fertilizers, such as nitrogen (N), phosphate (P), […] Read more

Environmental, social and governance investing

Environmental, social and governance investing

Is it another new fad?

Business and investing fads come and go, much like other aspects of life. Those with merit last longer than others, while many fall into the trash bin of overhyped and bad ideas. Two decades ago, Six Sigma became a highly touted business concept, designed to reduce defect rates to less than 0.0003 per cent. I […] Read more


‘When moisture is the overriding limiting factor to crop yield, even the best land will not pay the mortgage in the long run. The past decade of extra precipitation has led to prices that, I think, are not sustainable.’ – Les Henry.

Les Henry: Farmland prices and net farm income

Beware the other side of the average

We have had recent inquiries about an update on farmland values. Our previous columns on this topic have included only Saskatchewan data. As I began to search for updated data, I stumbled upon Statistics Canada data for all three Prairie provinces. As well, net income from 1926 to 2019 was available. The raw data is […] Read more

Toban Dyck: Policy battles and progress

Toban Dyck: Policy battles and progress

There used to be a thing called the Manitoba Pool Elevators. It was a grain company founded in the early 1900s, but its history and trajectory through the Saskatchewan Wheat Pool and Agricore United is not the topic of this column. There are two filing cabinets in our basement. They contain farm records from before […] Read more