(Submitted photo/Don Arsenie)

By Alice McFarlane

Agriculture Roundup

Agriculture Roundup for Friday October 11, 2019

Oct 11, 2019 | 8:59 AM

Heavy rain and wet fields continue to slow crop damage investigations across the Prairies.

The Canadian Crop Hail Association said companies are investigating about 640 claims of crop damage in Saskatchewan and Manitoba from storms that hit in mid to late September.

One company says it is reviewing claims for damage to canola, soybeans, wheat and oats.

Investigators ask producers to remain patient due to saturated fields.

The association said September claims are 62 per cent complete and damage from the storms is above the five year average.

MLAs clash over foreign ownership of Saskatchewan farmland

Nov 10, 2025

Outstanding community members

'We all loved him': respected Prince Albert broadcaster passes away

Oct 09, 2025

Nearing the end of harvest

Meals in the field and hats in combines: a look into end of harvest traditions

Oct 09, 2025

–

Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) and the University of Saskatchewan (USask) announced a first of its kind partnership to create the Ducks Unlimited Canada Endowed Chair in Wetland and Waterfowl Conservation.

The new research chair will teach and supervise students, co-ordinate education, research and outreach to tackle the complex environmental challenges facing land, water and wildlife.

The endowment will provide student support through graduate fellowships and undergraduate scholarships. DUC and USask have launched a $5 million fundraising initiative to support the chair and its work.

–

A Calgary-based company has pleaded guilty to failing to report, in a timely manner, a January 2017 ammonia release at its fertilizer manufacturing facility southeast of Calgary.

Agrium has been fined roughly $29,000 under Alberta’s Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act.

The anhydrous ammonia release was not reported to Alberta Environment until Feb. 27, four weeks following the release.

Agrium says the ammonia release occurred when a pressure release valve was inadvertently jarred open.

Anhydrous ammonia can cause breathing difficulty and in high concentrations can lead to death.

–

A new short documentary is focusing on Canada’s endangered grasslands and its unsung heroes.

The film Guardians of the Grasslands was put together by the Nature Conservancy of Canada, Ducks Unlimited Canada and the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association’s (CCA) Public and Stakeholder Engagement team.

CCA spokesperson Amie Peck said cattle play an important role in preserving plants and animals in the prairies, including over 60 species at risk.

Producers, conservation groups, and schools are encouraged to host a viewing of the documentary.

You can find more details and hosting information here.

–

alice.mcfarlane@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @AliceMcF