(Alice McFarlane/farmnewsNOW Staff)

By Alice McFarlane

Agriculture Roundup

Agriculture Roundup for Tuesday August 13, 2019

Aug 13, 2019 | 10:25 AM

The federal government is putting $12.4 million into two short-line railways in Western Saskatchewan.

One of the projects is in the Leader area while the other is around Unity.

The goal for both projects is to help reduce congestion and improve efficiency on the main CN and CP lines.

The federal government expects 300 jobs will be created in the region during construction of the two projects.

–
The Canadian Pork Council has released a list of priorities for the federal election.

Responsive measures

Some Sask. farmers to get winter elk hunting permits next year to protect land

Mar 12, 2026

Buy Now, Pay Later!

Spring 2026 Early Buy Program

Mar 09, 2026

SARM Convention

Sask RMs gather to address come concerns

Mar 06, 2026

The council said producers are asking for the federal government’s collaboration to address four African Swine Fever priorities of prevention, preparation, response and recovery.

The council also wants Ottawa to establish a Canadian pork promotion research agency and deliver effective business risk management programming.

It says hog producers also want the government to maintain competitive access to markets and further develop trade with Asian regions.

–

Applications are being accepted until Sept. 20 for membership in the Canadian Food Policy Advisory Council.

The council was included as part of Agriculture Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau’s announcement in June of a national food policy.

It will report to the minister and will include members from the agriculture and food industry, health professionals, academia, non-profit organizations and Indigenous organizations.

The ministry said the vision for the Food Policy is for all people in Canada to have access to a sufficient amount of safe, nutritious and culturally diverse food.

More information on the application process and selection criteria can be found online.

—

An estimated 800 head of cattle were killed in a fire that destroyed a large dairy complex in southeastern Manitoba.

Officials said about 200 head survived the overnight blaze at the four-barn Pennwood Dairy, northeast of Steinbach.

The provincial fire commissioner’s office has people at the scene looking for the cause of the fire, which is believed to have started in one of the four metal-clad buildings that were linked to each other.

The fire came as the dairy farm was preparing to expand its herd to 1,700 cattle.

–

alice.mcfarlane@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @AliceMcF