News-Canada-West related content provided by https://www.farms.com/ Copyright � 1995-2026 Farms.com, Ltd. All Rights Reserved. Genome Alberta, with support from the Government of Alberta, is pleased to announce five new projects, with a total value of $2.9 million to accelerate broader application of genomic technologies for improving environmental outcomes in Alberta’s energy sector. Genomics is the big data science that allows us to study the genetic material in all living things. Leveraging machine learning and AI tools allows us to understand how things function at a molecular level including how microbes contribute to environmental processes like reclamation, enhance recovery of oil while lowering emissions intensity and interact with hydrogen through production, transportation and storage. The Genomic Innovations: Energy and Environmental Solutions initiative supports collaborative projects between academic research and industry to scale genomics innovations from the lab and support their real-world deployment for broader benefit. This initiative brings energy companies and researchers together to brid https://www.farms.com/news/alberta-biotech-to-strengthen-environmental-performance-in-the-energy-sector-240762.aspx NEWS_240762 Wed, 15 Apr 2026 10:53:09 GMT Replenish Nutrients Holding Corp. (CSE: ERTH) (OTC: VVIVF) ("Replenish" or the "Company"), a leader in regenerative agriculture solutions, is pleased to announce that it has been approved for a grant of up to $250,000 funded by the governments of Canada and Alberta under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP) Value-Added Program. The funding is designated for the Beiseker Granulation project, supporting the Company's previous 2025 capital investments in fertilizer processing equipment at its Beiseker, Alberta facility. This facility recently achieved significant operational milestones, reaching sustained production rates of 4–5 metric tonnes per hour as it transitions toward full-scale commercial operations. The facility's targeted output is approximately 2,000 metric tonnes per month once final conveyance, load-out systems, and 24-hour operations are fully implemented. Supporting Diversification, Innovation and Growth The Sustainable CAP Value-Added Pro https://www.farms.com/news/replenish-nutrients-secures-250-000-in-sustainable-cap-funding-to-support-beiseker-facility-scale-up-240761.aspx NEWS_240761 Wed, 15 Apr 2026 10:49:16 GMT Quality assurance, market access and yield are key to the success of Alberta’s agriculture industry. Surveillance and monitoring for insects provides a key piece to this success by gathering information about established species populations and new invasive threats to the cropping industry. This information can play an important piece in support of pest related trade discussions. This work helps us to understand insect populations and range expansion of the targeted insects so that industry can understand the risk and potential damage. The information gathered from pheromone traps, field insect collections and counts or damage assessment is used to create forecast maps and make control recommendations. The data from the surveys is used for more than just creating forecast maps though, it can be used to direct insect pest research priorities or researchers can use the collection of samples in their studies. The Alberta Insect Pest Monitoring Network coordinates, manages and carries ou https://www.farms.com/news/alberta-insect-pest-monitoring-network-240760.aspx NEWS_240760 Wed, 15 Apr 2026 10:47:09 GMT Cleanfarms is proud to announce it has been identified among the top organizations on the Best Workplaces™ in Canada list for 2026. Ranked 69th out of the top 100 in the group of companies with under 100 staff, this recognition highlights the organization’s strong commitment to its staff and reflects the positive workplace culture that supports its mission to provide sustainable solutions to farmers across the country. The ranking is based entirely on employee feedback gathered through the Great Place to Work® Trust Index™ survey, which evaluates key factors such as trust in leadership, respect, camaraderie, and pride in one’s work. The results represent the experiences of more than 600,000 employees across Canada, highlighting organizations that consistently deliver inclusive, high-quality workplace environments. For Cleanfarms, this recognition is especially meaningful because it reflects the voices of its team members working across Canada in just our third year of participating i https://www.farms.com/news/cleanfarms-recognized-as-a-best-workplace-in-canada-for-2026-240759.aspx NEWS_240759 Wed, 15 Apr 2026 10:39:50 GMT Canada's Beef Code of Practice is undergoing its most significant update in more than a decade. The code, last updated in 2013, sets national expectations for cattle care and animal welfare. One of the most noticeable changes in the draft is a stronger focus on how cattle cope with adverse weather. For the first time, heat and humidity are clearly addressed. "There is a recommendation pertaining to accessing adequate water during heat events and also strategies to support cattle and I will note that this is heat and/or humidity, recognizing that the two operate very much in tandem." said Dr. Leigh Rosengren, Chief Veterinary Officer with the Canadian Cattle Association. Nutrition and water management are another focus. Dr. Rosengren notes there will be strengthened expectations around monitoring body condition and taking action before cattle become too thin. "We did emphasize in the code that there is a requirement for corrective action to be taken for beef cattle with a body cond https://www.farms.com/news/public-feedback-welcomed-for-updating-beef-code-of-practice-240758.aspx NEWS_240758 Wed, 15 Apr 2026 10:31:36 GMT Canola’s strong ties to crude oil is a cause for concern, says an analyst. “The risk of a price drop is there, and farmers should be aware of it,” said Western Producer markets desk analyst Bruce Burnett. Nearby canola futures values rallied 17 per cent between the start of the year and April 7, due in a large part to surging crude oil prices. The link between the two commodities is stronger than ever due to increased global biofuel demand for soybean, canola, palm and other vegetable oils. Some countries are increasing biofuel blending rates to help combat rising crude oil prices caused by conflict in the Middle East and severely restricted oil tanker traffic in the Strait of Hormuz. The average retail price for diesel fuel in Canada was $2.33 per litre as of early April, according to Natural Resources Canada. That is 59 per cent higher than where it was at the start the year. Canola has benefited from diesel’s price appreciation. But what happens if there is a resolution to th https://www.farms.com/news/will-a-crude-oil-price-crash-pull-down-canola-240757.aspx NEWS_240757 Wed, 15 Apr 2026 10:29:18 GMT The federal fuel tax suspension is expected to lower diesel costs for farmers at a critical time in the growing season, easing pressure on already-tight margins. https://www.farms.com/ag-industry-news/fuel-tax-suspension-offers-timely-relief-for-canadian-farmers-ahead-of-peak-growing-season-734.aspx NEWS_240734 Tue, 14 Apr 2026 18:35:24 GMT The National Farm Animal Care Council (NFACC) and Canadian Cattle Association (CCA) are pleased to announce the launch of the public comment period for the draft Code of Practice for the Care and Handling of Beef Cattle. The public comment period allows stakeholders—including producers, consumers, and others with an interest in the welfare of beef cattle—to review the draft Code and provide input that will inform the final version, recognizing that perspectives and experiences across Canada, can differ. The draft Code and the public comment system are now accessible here. All comments must be submitted through the online system to ensure feedback is consistently reviewed. The public comment period will close on June 12, 2026. Following the close of the comment period, the Code Committee will review and consider the submitted feedback, and the final beef cattle Code of Practice will be released in 2027. A Scientific Committee report summarizing research conclusions on welfare-relate https://www.farms.com/news/draft-beef-cattle-code-of-practice-released-for-public-comment-240732.aspx NEWS_240732 Tue, 14 Apr 2026 14:46:21 GMT With the start of widespread spring seeding just around the corner, Prairie moisture conditions are continuing to improve. The latest monthly update of the Canadian drought monitor on Monday showed just 21% of Prairie agricultural lands impacted by abnormal dryness or some form of drought as of the end of March. That’s down sharply from 47% at the end of February and continues a downtrend from last fall, when farmland impacted by dryness or drought hit 71% in November. Most of the Prairies experienced near to above-normal March precipitation in March, with much of region receiving between 85% and 150% of normal, with some localized areas exceeding 200% of normal due to multiple winter storms, the monitor said. However, other areas were not as lucky, including southern Alberta, which saw only about 60% of normal. In Alberta, conditions generally improved, especially across central parts of the province where abnormal dryness and moderate drought receded after widespread precipitat https://www.farms.com/news/map-further-improvement-in-prairie-dryness-drought-in-march-240731.aspx NEWS_240731 Tue, 14 Apr 2026 14:44:43 GMT Farmers in the American Midwest entered the 2026 planting season somewhat better positioned than peers elsewhere in the U.S. to manage the recent surge in fertilizer costs, but a new survey suggests many are still feeling significant strain as volatility tied to the Middle East conflict ripples through agricultural input markets.   An American Farm Bureau Federation market intel article on Tuesday said the bureau’s Fertilizer Availability Survey - conducted from April 4 to April 11 and drawing responses from more than 5,700 farmers and ranchers - found the Midwest had the highest fertilizer pre-booking rate in the country. About 67% of Midwestern producers reported securing fertilizer earlier in the season, reflecting the region’s heavy reliance on corn and soybean rotations, where nutrient needs are large and purchases are often made well ahead of planting.   That early buying helped shield many Midwest growers from the sharpest recent price increases. Even so, nearly one in three M https://www.farms.com/news/u-s-midwest-better-positioned-on-fertilizer-but-rising-costs-still-squeeze-240730.aspx NEWS_240730 Tue, 14 Apr 2026 14:43:29 GMT A leader in plant breeding and mentorship, Spaner helped develop more than a dozen wheat varieties while strengthening Canada’s agricultural research capacity. The Prairie farming community has lost one of its quiet giants. Dr. Dean Spaner (wheat breeder, professor, and mentor) passed away leaving behind a legacy that is deeply rooted in Western Canadian agriculture. For many farmers, the name may be most familiar from the varieties they’ve seeded. But Dr. Spaner’s impact goes far beyond plant breeding plots; his work helped shape the productivity, resilience, and future of wheat farming across the Prairies. A Breeder Who Delivered for Farmers Over a career spanning decades, Spaner played a leading role in developing wheat varieties that farmers could rely on. At the University of Alberta, he helped build a once-modest breeding program into a major contributor to Canadian agriculture. He was instrumental in releasing: 15 Canadian Western Red Spring (CWRS) wheat varieties One Canadi https://www.farms.com/news/dr-dean-spaner-s-impact-on-prairie-wheat-will-be-felt-for-generations-240729.aspx NEWS_240729 Tue, 14 Apr 2026 14:41:51 GMT Across the EVSC 485.3 Environmental Science Capstone and ENVS 401.3 Sustainability in Action courses, 50 students came together to explore eight unique projects and applied their learning to real-world sustainability challenges. These interdisciplinary projects go beyond environmental science to include community engagement, culture, and systems thinking, showing how social, cultural, and economic factors shape long-term sustainability. Together, they showcase the range of sustainability efforts on campus, and the impact students can have in creating practical, community-focused solutions. “It’s the determination of this group that has really sparked some unique solutions to growing challenges,” said Dr. Colin Laroque (PhD), AgBio and EVSC 485.3 instructor. “We’re seeing students revisit and reimagine past work while also bringing forward entirely new ideas shaped by systems thinking.” “Sustainability isn’t just a physical thing. It’s about how everything connects, from environmental https://www.farms.com/news/usask-students-tackle-sustainability-beyond-the-classroom-240703.aspx NEWS_240703 Tue, 14 Apr 2026 10:18:24 GMT The Alberta Farm Fresh Producers Association, a 40-year-old provincial organization supporting farms marketing directly to consumers and offering agritourism experiences, is officially rebranding to Agritourism Alberta. The new name reflects the organization’s evolving role in supporting Alberta’s growing agritourism sector and strengthening connections between agriculture, tourism, and rural economic development. The announcement was made at the joint Agritourism Alberta and Organic Alberta Conference, where producers, partners and industry leaders gathered to celebrate innovation and excellence in Alberta agriculture. To recognize the leaders shaping the future of agritourism and direct-to-consumer agriculture, Agritourism Alberta presented its 2026 Awards of Excellence to: Young Farmer of the Year:  Kamden Bartman, Prairie Shepherdess Sustainability & Trailblazer:  Christy Rhodenizer, Healing Homestead Farm of the Year:  Joanne and Rob Wicker, Christy Creek Honey Luminary of the https://www.farms.com/news/alberta-farm-fresh-producers-association-announces-rebrand-to-agritourism-alberta-240702.aspx NEWS_240702 Tue, 14 Apr 2026 10:16:53 GMT This March, the Manitoba Canola Growers Association (MCGA) met with the Manitoba Agricultural Services Corporation (MASC) for our annual consultation on the Agri-Insurance program for canola. These meetings are an important opportunity to review program performance over the past year and, just as importantly, ensure it continues to reflect the realities farmers face in their fields. A key focus this year was looking ahead. One area of interest was how crop insurance data could play a larger role in research. With the volume of high-quality production data collected through Agri-Insurance, there is significant potential to generate new insights into canola production in Manitoba. The conversation also turned to future product considerations. This included discussion around the potential introduction of canola-quality Brassica juncea. As new crop types and hybrids emerge, it’s important that insurance programs keep pace so farmers have appropriate coverage options when trying something https://www.farms.com/news/mcga-meets-with-masc-keeping-agri-insurance-aligned-with-farmers-needs-240701.aspx NEWS_240701 Tue, 14 Apr 2026 10:13:03 GMT Farmers know the value of canola from the field, and culinary programs help translate that value to the plate, showing how it performs in everything from savoury dishes to baked goods. MCGA’s investment in culinary scholarships is helping to ensure canola remains a top-of-mind ingredient both today and in the future, securing demand for what you grow on your farm.  This winter, MCGA  stepped into the kitchen with some of Manitoba’s brightest, partnering with culinary schools to showcase canola oil in new ways. Getting canola in the hands of up and coming culinary students plays an important role in building long-term demand for canola and strengthening its place in kitchens across Canada. In January, students in the culinary program at Assiniboine College competed for two scholarships in a fast-paced cooking challenge. Their task: create both an entrée and a dessert using canola oil as the only fat. With just over an hour on the clock, students pushed their creativity and skills to t https://www.farms.com/news/from-farm-to-kitchen-why-culinary-programs-matter-for-canola-farmers-240700.aspx NEWS_240700 Tue, 14 Apr 2026 10:12:01 GMT Supporting Manitoba canola growers with practical, region-specific agronomy is at the core of what we do, and it’s an area we’re continuing to grow through a strong team working across research, agronomy, and extension. We’re pleased to welcome Lindsey Brooks as MCGA’s new Agronomy Specialist. Lindsey brings a decade of hands-on agronomy experience working directly with Manitoba farmers, most recently as a Sales Agronomist with Jonair, where she provided crop advice, scouted fields, and supported on-farm decision-making. Her background also includes research trial work with Bayer CropScience and agronomy roles with Pembina Co-op. Lindsey holds a Bachelor of Science in Agroecology from the University of Manitoba and a certified Prairie Certified Crop Advisor and Professional Agrologist. This role is an important step forward as we continue to grow and strengthen the support we provide to our farmer members. Created to help fill key gaps in the industry and expand agronomic support fo https://www.farms.com/news/welcoming-lindsey-brooks-expanding-agronomy-support-for-manitoba-canola-growers-240699.aspx NEWS_240699 Tue, 14 Apr 2026 10:09:33 GMT Producers are concerned with domestic implications https://www.farms.com/ag-industry-news/canadian-cattle-association-has-beef-with-mercosur-trade-deal-675.aspx NEWS_240675 Mon, 13 Apr 2026 13:39:50 GMT HyLife recently welcomed a delegation from Taiwan to its pork processing facility in Neepawa, Manitoba,  highlighting the strong and growing agricultural partnership between Taiwan and Canada. The visit provided an opportunity to showcase Manitoba’s pork industry, discuss global food supply chains, and explore opportunities for expanding the presence of Canadian pork in the Taiwanese market. https://www.farms.com/news/strengthening-taiwan-canada-agricultural-cooperation-in-manitoba-240672.aspx NEWS_240672 Mon, 13 Apr 2026 11:49:14 GMT This article reviews weekly commodity market movements impacting grains, livestock, energy and equity markets while farmers face tight margins and ongoing uncertainty. https://www.farms.com/ag-industry-news/agriculture-commodities-caught-between-war-and-weather-668.aspx NEWS_240668 Mon, 13 Apr 2026 11:19:42 GMT Mexico is organizing a trade mission in Toronto and Montreal where Canadian firms can join B2B meetings with Mexican companies for partnerships and business growth opportunities. https://www.farms.com/ag-industry-news/mexico-canada-trade-mission-b2b-meetings-2026-663.aspx NEWS_240663 Mon, 13 Apr 2026 10:29:04 GMT