(File photo/farmnewsNOW)

By Cam Lee

Ag roundup

Agriculture Roundup for Wednesday, March 12

Mar 12, 2025 | 11:29 AM

Saskatchewan canola farmers are caught in the crosshairs in a trade war between Canada and China.

China’s new 100 per cent tariff on Canadian canola oil is sending shockwaves through the agricultural sector.

While raw canola seed exports aren’t affected yet, growers like Riley Wallace of Unity, fear they could be next.

With canola futures already down and prices dropping, Wallace says farmers face massive losses.

The tariffs are widely seen as retaliation for Canada’s levies on Chinese electric vehicles.

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For now, Wallace says farmers should stay calm, but the uncertainty remains.

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More Canadian agriculture groups are warning that the recently announced Chinese tariffs targeting could be a serious blow to their industry.

The Canadian Federation of Agriculture as well as the Canadian Grain Farmers are both concerned with the timing of the announcement, coming at the same time as tariff threats from the United States.

The groups are calling on Ottawa to engage with China to find a resolution, pursue market diversification and establish a compensation plan for farmers.

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The provincial government announced a new pilot project at the Saskatchewan Association or Rural Municipalities convention on Tuesday that’s aimed at addressing abandoned buildings.

This initiative allows municipalities to team up with volunteer fire departments to use abandoned, municipally owned buildings for training exercises.

SARM President Bill Huber says this training will be incredibly beneficial, removing derelict buildings in a safe, efficient manner.

SARM had earlier lobbied the province for help in dealing with these types of buildings, saying they are a safety hazard, an environmental concern, and a burden on municipalities that are forced to take title on the abandoned properties.

Saskatchewan Volunteer Firefighters Association President Louis Cherpin says the move is a win-win, and a great first step to allow firefighters to take their training to the next level.