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Building A Unified Voice for Agriculture: Agriculture Updates, Supports and News: July 13th, 2022

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Building A Unified Voice for Agriculture: Agriculture Updates, Supports and News: July 13th, 2022

Advocacy in Action: 

Updated Livestock Transport Regulations And What You Need To Know

Changes to the Transport of Animals Regulations (Part XII of the Health of Animals Regulations) came into effect in February of 2020 and are being actively enforced.

There are four major changes in the new regulations focusing on:

  • categorizing animals fit for transport,
  • record keeping for transporters,
  • required feed, water and rest times and
  • contingency planning.

Find out more. 


The Medicine Hat & District Chamber of Commerce has been advocating for amendments to these regulations since 2019. We will be following up for reviews of potential amendments in late July, 2022.


Ground Pork and Beef Given Exceptions to New Health Canada Labeling Requirements: 

Health Canada has confirmed raw, single ingredient whole meats will be exempt from their front-of-package labelling.

Nate Horner, Minister of Agriculture Forestry and Rural Economic Development says "this is a big win for our livestock producers and all the groups that told Ottawa to re-think this policy."

Prior to the announcement, Health Canada’s proposed front-of-package regulations had a requirement for ground beef sold at retail to carry a “high in” saturated fat warning label, while other single ingredient foods were exempt.

Read more from Alberta Beef Producers

Learn more about front-of-package labelling

The Medicine Hat & District Chamber of Commerce joined with Chambers across Alberta in an advocacy campaign to ensure the packaging on ground meats reflect that it is a healthy choice for families, and a major economic staple in our region.

Funding Updates:

  1. Agricultural producers interest relief: In response to rising input costs and to help ensure farmers have access to cash flow to cover crop-related expenses, Agriculture Canada recently announced that the interest-free portion of the Advance Payments Program will increase from $100,000 to $250,000 for the 2022 and 2023 program years.

    As a result, participating producers will save on average $5,500 in interest costs over the next two years. This change will represent total savings of up to $61 million over 2 years for approximately 11,000 producers. 


  2. Agricultural Scholarship: The Nuffield Canada Scholarship is a prestigious rural leadership program available to anyone mid-career who is involved in agriculture in any capacity of primary production, industry or governance.

    This $15,000 scholarship provides individuals with a unique opportunity to access the world’s most extensive network in food and farming, achieve personal development through travel and study, and deliver long-term benefits to Canadian farmers and growers, and to the industry as a whole.

    The application deadline is June 30.

  3. Agri-food industry flourishing in AlbertaAlberta has reached key investment milestones, attracting almost $1.5 billion in new agri-food investment and creating about 3,000 jobs for Albertans since 2019.

  4. Apply now for the Civil Society FundAll sectors and sizes of organizations can now apply for grants up to $500,000 through the third round of the Civil Society Fund.

  5. Alberta Innovates Launches Agri-Food and Bioindustrial Innovation Program - Alberta Innovates
    The Agri-Food and Bioindustrial Innovation Program (ABIF) supports projects that develop and advance technologies that increase productivity, enhance competitiveness, boost the value of agriculture and forestry commodities, and lower greenhouse gas emissions. Strategic focus areas include: data and digital solutions; autonomous systems; agricultural biotechnology; food processing innovation; biofibre utilization; value-added biomass; and green construction. The program is open to small and medium-sized enterprises, industry organizations, research and development organizations, post-secondary institutions and government research laboratories. For more     information visit https://albertainnovates.ca/impact/newsroom/alberta-innovates-launches-agri-food-and-bioindustrial-innovation-program/.

  6. FarmCash Cash Advance Program:Many producers use the Advance Payments Program annually to finance their crop or livestock inputs, but FarmCash can also help to improve the farm's profitability throughout the year. The key is cash flow management.FarmCash application deadlines:
    • Now until September 1, 2022: Apply for an Actual Seeded Advance, Anticipated Honey Production Advance, or Spring Livestock Advance.
    • July 31, 2022: Last date to transfer an Intended Seeding Advance to Actual Seeded Advance.
    • July 31, 2022: Last date to transfer an Intended Honey Production Advance to an Anticipated Honey Production Advance.

Additional Government & Industry News and Information

  • Fed cattle prices holding strong: The Alberta fed cattle market is maintaining strong pricing into June. Ann Boyda, provincial livestock market analyst with Alberta Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Economic Development, says although fed cattle prices have been strong, cost increases and record high cost-of-gain outweigh the revenue increases. Read the article
  • Insect Updates: The latest weekly update from the Prairie Pest Monitoring Network shows increased rates of grasshopper development across Alberta and Saskatchewan. The update also indicates pupal development of bertha armyworm is progressing across the prairies with the most rapid development occurring across southern and central regions of Alberta and western Saskatchewan. Over the next week, adults should be emerging across the prairies. Learn more or Sign up for weekly updates.
  • Insect Risk Updates: The Alberta Pest Monitoring Network provides timely, accurate insect management resources to help monitor crop pests in Alberta ensuring crop quality and market access. This includes live insect survey and population maps for bertha armyworm, cutworm and diamondback moth. Check out the maps and see the risk level in your area
  • Wheat streak mosaic virus: Five wheat fields in southern Alberta have been confirmed positive for Wheat streak mosaic virus (WSMV). WSMV is a pathogen that is endemic to Alberta and shows up occasionally in wheat and winter wheat crops, rarely on barley. The last time Alberta had a WSMV outbreak was 2015 and 2016. Volunteer wheat is very often the source of outbreaks. Most of the positive fields in 2022 were the result of winter wheat volunteers or herbicide escapes. If you suspect WSMV and need help confirming it, you can contact Alberta Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Development (Dr. Michael Harding and Dr. Jie Feng) to have a laboratory test performed.

Read more from the Prairie Crop Disease Monitoring Network

Learn more about Wheat streak mosaic virus and its control


  • Hemp Fiber Variety Testing in Alberta: This value-added research project, led by Canadian Rockies Hemp Corp, will work in collaboration with the University of Alberta, Canadian Hemp Trade Alliance, Alberta Hemp Alliance, and Alberta Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Economic Development, to help hemp producers accurately identify which fibre hemp varieties are best suited for production in Alberta. Results from this project will be vital to help expand the hemp industry across Alberta. Read more about this RDAR-funded project
  • Sclerotinia risk: The Canola Council of Canada says sporadic moisture across much of the prairies and a quickly growing canopy mean sclerotinia may threaten many acres soon.Since fungicide application must occur before disease symptoms are evident, in-field scouting, careful risk assessment and correctly timing fungicide application are critical.
    Learn more in the latest Canola Watch
  • Grasshoppers: Grasshoppers are being reported in cereal and lentil fields and may move into some canola fields soon. If pest pressure of all kinds is high throughout the season, control options may be limited later in the season because of MRL concerns and repetitive use restrictions.Read more
    Check out the grasshopper map

Labour Resources:

  • Alberta crop report as of June 27th, 2022: According to the latest crop report, 75% of all crops in the province are rated in good or excellent condition, only marginally behind both the 5-year and 10-year averages (74% and 73% respectively). Mustard, durum wheat and potatoes are the lowest rated crops qualitatively, whereas chickpeas, spring wheat, oats and flax are rated in the best condition. Other major crops like barley, canola and dry peas are relatively in line with long-term provincial averages for this time in the growing season. Growth and development staging is in general still modestly behind long-term averages. Read the crop report
  • Farming the Web
    Looking to buy or sell products, services or equipment? Check out Farming the Web - the free, not-for-profit agriculture classifieds site that makes it simple to buy and sell locally. 
    Powered by the Alberta Forage Industry Network, Farming the Web is used by producers, farmers and ranchers to get what they want from the people they trust. 
    Check out Farming the Web

  • Invasive Plants of Alberta Identification Guide
    The revised version of the Invasive Plants of Alberta Identification Guide is complete. This is a detailed, illustrated guide to prohibited noxious, noxious and weed species of concern in Alberta.
    The latest edition will be available in mid-July.
    View the PDF version
    Check out the Alberta Invasive Species Council store
  • Weather and weather data at your fingertips

    The Alberta Climate Information Service (ACIS) provides the forecast, weather alerts, radar and more importantly, the past weather. Virginia Nelson, director, Alberta Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Economic Development, says this information is often missing from today’s ‘run of the mill’ weather apps. With ACIS, Albertans can access the forecast, weather alerts, radar, the past weather, and even look at 60-year climate trends. Read the article

    Alberta Soil Moisture Information: Moisture situation updates from the team at Alberta Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Economic Development's Agrometeorology Applications and Modelling Unit can be found here.

    Read the latest update



Events

Nominate someone for the 2023 Pulse Industry Innovator Award

An industry innovator is a person or organization that has worked to help nurture and shape the pulse industry and has helped contribute to the success of the industry. Innovators may have contributed to the industry through various areas from production, marketing, research, extension and processing, to management, promotion and innovation.

Nominations will be accepted until December 6, 2022.

Read more


Summer events

The Alberta Wheat and Barley Commissions invite producers to participate in a variety of exciting events this summer.

Mark your calendars and register today, as a wide range of fun, educational and informative events will be held at multiple locations across the province.

Learn more and find an event near you


Your Path to Farm Transition Event Series

Farm transition is a rewarding journey with lots of twists and turns – and while it differs for everyone, there are foundational pieces that can help you along the path. 

Join Farm Credit Canada (FCC) for a 9-part virtual event series on farm transition. Hosted by FCC business advisors and guest experts, each month will feature a new topic, highlighting a different step in the transition process. Check out the entire series or choose the sessions most relevant to you.

The series runs from July 12 to March 14.

Register for all 9 events

Register for individual events

Other Resources:

If you know of someone who may be interested in the work we are doing and might be interested in investing in this work through membership, please feel free to refer them to us. You can also encourage others to subscribe to our agriculture updates through this page. We look forward to continuing our work with you and pushing for our collective priorities on your behalf. 

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