Headlines

1. Temporary livestock water assistance: Livestock and poultry producers impacted by water shortage and drought conditions can receive streamlined temporary livestock water assistance through Alberta Environment and Protected Areas (EPA). Producers who have an urgent need for water should contact EPA for support to identify alternative water sources and receive authorization for use under the Water Act. Learn more
   
   
2.  Help for farmers impacted by wildfires and drought: The AgriStability program has reopened for late participation so producers affected by wildfires and drought can consider enrolling to manage business risks. Alberta producers can sign up for AgriStability until Sept. 29. The Government of Alberta and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada have reopened the program recognizing that wildfires and extremely dry conditions have affected many farmers and ranchers since the April 30 enrolment deadline. This gives affected producers more time to review and manage the business risks associated with these challenging situations. Learn more and stay up to date on fire bans and advisories with Alberta Wildfire's online dashboard
   
   
3.  AgriStability program reopened for Late Participation in Alberta: The AgriStability program has reopened for late participation so Alberta producers affected by wildfires and drought can consider enrolling to manage business risks.
   With the reopening of the program by the federal and Alberta governments, Alberta producers can now sign up for AgriStability until Sept. 29. The original deadline for signup was April 30, but wildfires and extremely dry conditions have affected many farmers and ranchers since then, Ottawa said in a release Friday. Read more or visit the AgriStability website
   
   
4.  New edition of popular Calving Record book now available from the CCIA: Working closely with partners at Verified Beef Production Plus and the Beef Cattle Research Council, the Canadian Cattle Identification Agency (CCIA) produced a new record book that is packed with useful resources. The CCIA Calving Record book is available to order directly from the CCIA web store either on its own, or with RFID tags and applicators. Read more
   
   
5.  Reducing the impact of future avian influenza outbreaks: Through the spring and fall of 2022, Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Virus (HPAI) triggered the on-farm culling of over 1.4 million birds in Alberta. New research investment aims to reduce the impact of future HPAI outbreaks and is crucial to securing a safe food supply and a stable poultry industry in Alberta.To support Alberta’s poultry industry, RDAR, Alberta Chicken Producers and Egg Farmers of Alberta awarded $733,801 to avian virologist Dr. Faizal Careem at the University of Calgary to lead a vital HPAI research project. The investment, including $633,801 from RDAR, will help define effective, science-driven biosecurity procedures and outbreak control measures. Learn more about this project
   
   
6.  Budget 2023 and Canada's Agriculture and Agri-Food Sector: It outlines measures that will strengthen food systems at every step and includes new investments in innovation, clean technology and support for science that will enhance the sector’s competitive edge and drive environmentally sustainable production. This budget delivers by providing new targeted inflation relief for Canadians, stronger public health care – including dental care, investments to build Canada’s clean economy, and a responsible fiscal plan. View the Budget

Funding Updates 

• Don't forget: Rural Communities Foundation grant: For the fifth year, the UFA Rural Communities Foundation is offering up to $100,000 to ensure rural Alberta remains strong. In the first 4 years, the $400,000 has helped 16 communities complete projects. Groups who are eligible to apply include registered charities under the Canada Revenue Agency, registered non-profit organizations who are registered with either their provincial or municipal government and community service co-operatives. The application deadline is August 31, 2023. Learn more
  
  
• Successful first year of On-Farm Climate Action Fund for RDAR: RDAR (Results Driven Agriculture Research), a distribution partner for Agriculture and Agri-food Canada's On-Farm Climate Action Fund (OFCAF), has supported 1,280 projects on over a million acres of farm and ranch lands since its launch on August 4,2022. OFCAF extends cost-share funding to farmers, empowering them to implement best management practices (BMPs) that foster sustainability and environmental responsibility. Read more
  
  
• Agri-Food and Bioindustrial Innovation Program: The Agri-Food and Bioindustrial Innovation Program (ABIP) supports the development and advancement of technologies that increase productivity, enhance competitiveness, boost the value of agriculture and forestry commodities, and lower greenhouse gas emissions. Learn more
  
  
• Ag for Life - Agriculture Labour Task Force Grant Program: To support producers and processors, Alberta, in partnership with the federal government, is providing $2.5 million to Agriculture for Life to help companies recruit, hire, and retain workers in the agriculture and agri-food industry. The funding will provide eligible companies with grants to increase public awareness of agricultural career opportunities, as well as human resources training to support worker retention. Learn more

Labour Resources

1. Agriculture Job Connector: https://www.alberta.ca/agriculture-job-connector.aspx 
   
2. Chamber Agriculture Labour survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/2019AgribusinessLabour
3. Riipen Rural Roots, a collaborative program in partnership with Alberta-based Rural Development Network, Portage College, Mount Royal University, Medicine Hat College, and MacEwan University. The focus of this new program is to connect rural businesses and non-profits across Canada with post-secondary learners to advance their labour market and workforce skills through short-term virtual WIL projects. Read more
4.  Canada Alberta Jobs Grant: The Canada-Alberta Job Grant is a training program where an employer applies on behalf of their present or future employees for eligible training costs. Employers decide who gets training and what type of training may be needed for their employees. Learn more

Additional Government & Industry News and Information 

1. Federal, Provincial and Territorial Ministers of Agriculture meet to support a competitive and sustainable agriculture and agri-food sector. The annual conference of Federal, Provincial and Territorial (FPT) Ministers of Agriculture was held in Fredericton, New Brunswick, from July 19 to 21, 2023. Ministers discussed the agriculture and agri-food sector’s key issues, including the successful launch of the $3.5 billion Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP) that came into effect on April 1, 2023. Ministers expressed their concerns regarding the extreme weather situations currently impacting producers across the country, including drought and wildfires. Ministers committed to working together expeditiously to share data and complete AgriRecovery assessments. Ministers also committed to ensuring that producers have access to a full suite of Business Risk Management (BRM) programs that are timely and reliable. Learn more
   
   
2. Alberta Grains to be new name for merged wheat and barley commission: Alberta Grains will build on the strengths of both organizations to create a unified voice for the province's 18,000 wheat and barley farmers. With a focus on economic sustainability, innovation and growth, Alberta Grains will leverage the combined resources, knowledge and experience to deliver value to its membership. The new commission began operating in place of the Alberta Wheat and Barley Commissions on August 1, 2023.  Learn more
   
   
3.  Official Grain Grading Guide updates: The Official Grain Grading Guide is a complete reference on the grading of grains, oilseeds and pulses. Effective August 1, 2023 updates to the Official Grain Grading Guide came into effect for the 2023-24 crop year. For canola, they provide important clarity in assessing dockage. Learn more about this and other updates
   Download the Official Grain Grading Guide
   
   
4.  CAHRC Supports Announcement of Temporary Foreign Worker Program Recognized Employer Pilot: Creation of new 36-month Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) validity period is a crucial step toward addressing labour shortages by simplifying the hiring process for repeat Temporary Foreign Worker (TFW) Program employers. Canadian Agricultural Human Resource Council (CAHRC) is pleased with the Government of Canada’s announcement of the new Temporary Foreign Worker Program Recognized Employer Pilot. This will reduce administrative barriers that had impacted Canada’s agriculture sector access to a reliable workforce that has the skills needed to support demands for Canadian agriculture product. View the announcement
   
   
5.  Strengthening agricultural ties with the U.S. and Mexico: Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation RJ Sigurdson issued the following statement on the 2023 Tri-National Agricultural Accord. Read more
   
   
6.  Harvest 2023: Things to know this season: As the 2023 harvest is upon us, AFSC clients may want to learn more about items such as the Harvested Production report, Payment by Declaration, Variable Price Benefit, and Quality Concerns. Learn more and get all the details here
   
   
7.  Year in Review Report Highlights Beef Research and Extension Results for 2022-2023: A new report showcases how producer investments in the Canadian Beef Cattle Check-Off are tackling beef industry priorities while generating maximum value from every research dollar. The Beef Cattle Research Council’s 2022-2023 Year in Review summarizes key activities and outcomes from the past fiscal year. The 2022-2023 Year in Review

Events, Webinars and Podcasts

September 27: Suicide Awareness and Prevention Training in AG webinar - Unique suicide awareness and prevention training designed for peer-to-peer support in the farming and agriculture industry.

October 3: Virtual event- Using Livestock and Guardian Dogs and Other Management Practices to Reduce Livestock/ Wildfire Conflicts

November 2: Women Founder Showcase Food & Agtech Edition, applications close September 12