National Farmers Union president Jenn Pfenning of New Hamburg, Ont. (submitted photo/NFU)

By Alice McFarlane

Agriculture Roundup

Agriculture Roundup for Wednesday December 7, 2022

Dec 7, 2022 | 9:56 AM

MELFORT, Sask. – The National Farmer Union (NFU) has named its new president.

Jenn Pfenning is a family owner and the director of Human Resources, Marketing and Operations at Pfenning’s Organic Farm in New Hamburg, Ont. She also works with local and migrant workers.

Pfenning takes over from Katie Ward who served as president for four years.

Stewart Wells of Swift Current, Sask. will serve as the first vice president while the second vice president is Al Birchard of Verwood, Sask.

NFU held a hybrid convention in Saskatoon, Sask. last month.

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The Feeder Association Loan Guarantee Program in Alberta is increasing by $50 million.

Agriculture and Irrigation minister Nate Horner said the program is designed to help farmers secure competitive financing in order to grow their herds of cattle and sheep.

“Feeder associations are essential to the province’s agriculture industry and our rural economy,” Horner said. “We are increasing the feeder association loan guarantee to make sure Alberta’s livestock producers have access to capital they need to make it through the busy fall and winter.”

Horner said cattle prices are up 25 per cent and the increase will allow Alberta feeder associations greater access to low-interest capital loans.

There are currently 45 local feeder associations and 2,000 livestock producers who are members of their local feeder associations in Alberta.

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The history of the Western Barley Growers Association (WBGA) is documented in a new book entitled Western Barley’s Legacy.

WBGA past president Brian Otto said they wanted to document the past for future generations.

It covers the WBGA’s policy stance and events around grain marketing choice, but also transportation issues, the Crow rate, safety net programs, and farmer-funded research.

More than 50 people were interviewed for the book.

The coffee-table-style book is available in both hardcover and paperback versions and can be purchased on Amazon or ordered directly from most bookstores.

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alice.mcfarlane@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @farmnewsNOW