Warm, dry weather across Alberta has pushed seeding progress to near completion, with 99% of crops now in the ground —...
Marc Zienkiewicz
Marc Zienkiewicz
Marc Zienkiewicz spent a decade working as a reporter, photographer, and finally a managing editor for what was then Canada’s largest newspaper chain. Over the years he received numerous Manitoba Community Newspapers Association awards for his writing and photography, and most recently has won Canadian Farm Writers Federation awards for his writing and podcasting. Believing that it's important to be involved in the industry you work in, he currently is a member of the Seeds Canada Advocacy and Communications Committee. He lives on a quarter-section of land in Brightstone, Man., with his wife Laura and their dog, two cats and two horses.
Fusarium Head Blight is Lurking — but This Forecasting Tool Sees it Coming
PHOTO: Dr. Adam Foster. If you want to strike fear into the heart of a cereal grain farmer, just say, “fusarium head...
Seeding Nears Completion, But Moisture Concerns Loom
Seeding for major crops in Alberta is almost done, according to the latest crop report. As of this week, provincial...
This B.C. Scientist Just Blew the Lid Off Sunflower Genetics — Farmers, Take Note
To most of us on the Prairies, the sunflower is a familiar sight — tall, bold, and bright. But beneath those sunny...
Former Maple Leaf Foods Exec Trevor Sears Named Executive Director of Western Crop Innovations
Western Crop Innovations (WCI) has announced the appointment of Trevor Sears as its permanent executive director....
Help Shape the Future of Canadian Barley: Take the Barley Benchmark Survey
Canadian barley producers are being invited to take part in the Barley Benchmark survey—a national initiative aimed at...
Rain Brings a Turnaround: Seeding Progresses Despite Early Hiccups
After a dry start to spring, Alberta farmers are finally seeing the kind of weather that puts crops in the ground and...
Export Firepower is Propping Up Wheat, but Alberta Grains is Asking for How Long
This year’s cereal markets are shaping up to be anything but predictable, Alberta Grains says in its new Market...
Farmers Push Ahead as Seeding Progress Surges Past 5-Year Average
Thanks to warm and dry conditions across much of the province, Alberta farmers made major headway last week in getting...
A Prince Edward Island MP is Canada’s New Ag Minister
Canada has a new ag minister. Heath MacDonald, a Liberal MP from Prince Edward Island who represents the riding of...
India’s Pulse Imports are Soaring. It’s a Warning Sign for the Global Food System
India just shattered another record — but this time, it’s not one to celebrate. The world’s top pulse consumer...
Farmers are Seeing the Fastest Seeding Start in Years
Alberta’s 2025 crop season is off to a fast and favourable start, according to the latest crop report, thanks to mild...
How to Get Ahead of Canola’s Top Pest
If you grow canola, you already know the enemy: flea beetles. Year after year, these tiny pests top the list of...
New U of A Tool Helps Communities Pinpoint Wildfire Risk—and Act on It
For towns surrounded by forest, wildfire season is a looming threat that’s growing harder—and costlier—to manage. But...
Grain and Spuds Lead the Pack as Farm Revenues Surge — But Hog Producers Feel the Squeeze
New data from Statistics Canada shows Canadian farmers saw a healthy boost to their bottom lines in 2023, with average...
Alberta Grain Farmers Call on Ottawa to Back Them at Home and on the World Stage
PHOTO: Tara Sawyer is chair of Alberta Grains. Alberta Grains is congratulating Prime Minister Mark Carney, the...
Ag Minister Kody Blois Has Been Re-Elected — Now Comes the Hard Part
Kody Blois is headed back to Ottawa after securing re-election — and he’s bringing a renewed sense of urgency to his...
No GMO? No Problem. The U.S. Just Gave This Gene-Edited Canola the All-Clear
For Cibus, regulatory clarity isn’t just a box to check—it’s a turning point. The San Diego–based agricultural...
Aaron Beattie’s Groundbreaking Work has Earned Him a Major Agrology Award
Aaron Beattie, a prominent plant breeder at the University of Saskatchewan’s Crop Development Centre (CDC), has been...
How One Federal Agency Became a Flashpoint of the Ag Leaders’ Debate
At the recent Canadian Federation of Agriculture (CFA) agriculture leaders’ debate held April 17, one name kept coming...
What You Need to Know from AAFC’s April Crop Outlook
It’s been a dry start to 2025 across much of Alberta, and the latest crop outlook from Agriculture and Agri-Food...
2025 Planting Plans Reveal a Pivot in Alberta’s Fields: Statscan
Alberta farmers are shaking up their planting strategies — and sending a clear message: adaptability is the new...
FCC: With Margins on Thin Ice, Growers Face Tough Seeding Choices This Spring
As the seeding window approaches across Canada, growers are entering the 2025 planting season with more uncertainty...
Why Alberta’s Cereals Sector is Watching Winnipeg Right Now
PHOTO: Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew announces new funding for the Gate initiative in Winnipeg last week. Canada’s secret...
The Quiet Revolution Happening at Western Crop Innovations
Sajid Rehman didn’t plan on ending up in Alberta, helping steer one of Alberta’s most important cereal breeding...
Tariffs, Tumult, and Tight Margins: What ATB’s Jon Neutens Says Farmers Must Know
From canola to cattle to caution, Jon Neutens of ATB Financial explains what trade turmoil means for you. While...
Agri-Food Leaders Urge Action in Washington
There’s an urgent call to protect integrated supply chains and keep food prices stable across North America. With...
Farmers Brace for Impact as U.S. Trade War Creates Implications for Wheat and Barley Exports
A new article from Alberta Grains paints a picture of the future of a cross-border relationship that has long been...
Tariffs, Trade Wars, and Alberta’s Resilience: What You Need to Know
Tariff curveballs are coming, but Alberta is ready to swing, according to ATB Financial’s chief economist. The global...
Export Momentum Meets Price Pressures Amid Global Uncertainty
Canada’s principal field crops are heading into a new marketing year with a mix of optimism and caution, according to...
Plant Pathologist Dr. Syama Chatterton Honoured with Pulse Industry Innovator Award
Alberta Pulse Growers (APG) selected Dr. Syama Chatterton, who continues to advance root rot management options for...
Why a Prairie Grain Farmer Became a Champion for Seed Processing
Todd McCann didn’t set out to be a voice in the seed world. In fact, he’s not even a seed grower. But what started as...
How Sarah Weigum Plans to Lead the Alberta-British Columbia Seed Growers into the Future
When Sarah Weigum of Three Hills stepped into her new role as president of the Alberta-British Columbia Seed Growers...
WCI Welcomes David Hoekstra as its Interim Executive Director
Western Crop Innovations (WCI) has announced the appointment of David Hoekstra as its interim executive director....
Is the Winter Triticale Train Coming to a Stop? WCI’s Erin Collier Offers Some Insights
PHOTO: Erin Collier is business development officer for Western Crop Innovations. Western Crop Innovations (WCI) is...
Grain Farmers Caught in Crossfire as U.S.-China Trade War Escalates
PHOTO: Alberta's Tara Sawyer is chair of Grain Growers of Canada. Tariffs threaten billions in exports, family farms...
Mark Olson Has Departed Western Crop Innovations, New Executive Director to be Announced Soon
Mark Olson has stepped down from his role as interim executive director of Western Crop Innovations (WCI) ahead of the...
Canola Sector Responds to Chinese Tariffs on Canola Meal, Oil
China’s Ministry of Commerce has concluded its anti-discrimination investigation against Canada, launched in September...
RDAR Injects Over $600,000 Into Expanding Silage Crop Regional Variety Trials
Alberta farmers and ranchers will soon have access to expanded silage crop research, thanks to a $650,000 investment...
Photo Highlights from Ag Expo in Lethbridge
Here are a few photo highlights from the North American Seed Fair at Ag-Expo in Lethbridge, Alta., running from Feb....
New Cereal, Pulse and Oilseed Lines Bring Big Yields and New Markets for Farmers
PHOTO: Members of the Prairie Recommending Committee for Wheat, Rye and Triticale hold up their voting cards at last...
WCI Secures Registration Support for Five New Varieties at PGDC
PHOTO: The staff of Western Crop Innovations pose for a photo at the 2024 AgSmart event held in Olds. Western Crop...
Want to go to Ag-Expo in Lethbridge? We’re Giving Away 10 Free Tickets
Our sister publication Seed World Canada is sponsoring the North American Seed Fair at Ag-Expo in Lethbridge this...
Honouring a Canola Champion: Stephen Strelkov Wins 2025 Canola Award of Excellence
PHOTO: Dr. Stephen Strelkov accepts his award last week during the CropConnect Conference in Winnipeg. At last week’s...
Why the European Agricultural Model isn’t All it’s Cracked Up to Be
PHOTO: Bill Wirtz is policy analyst for the Consumer Choice Center. The European approach to agricultural regulation...
One Trench at a Time: How John Conrad Tackled the Western Crop Innovations Transition
PHOTO: John Conrad is Alberta Agriculture's assistant deputy minister of primary agriculture. As one of the key...
U.S. Tariffs “Reckless”, says Alberta Grain Farmer
PHOTO: Tara Sawyer is an Alberta farmer and chair of Grain Growers of Canada. A controversial 25% tariff on Canadian...
How Farmers Can Help Keep Wheat Innovation Alive: Listen to Our CrossRoads Panel Discussion
PHOTO: From left: Alberta Seed Guide editor Marc Zienkiewicz; SeCan western business manager Todd Hyra; University of...
You Can Help Fight Fear With Facts: Michele Payn’s Challenge to Farmers
PHOTO: Speaker and author MIchele Payn addresses the crowd today at the CrossRoads Crop Conference. When Michele Payn...
Alberta Pulse Growers Look Back on a Year of Extremes as APG Marks 35 Years
PHOTO: Alberta Pulse Growers Chair Shane Strydhorst speaks during today's annual general meeting held in Edmonton. The...
Canadian Wheat Research Coalition Commits $11.8 Million to Crop Development Centre
The Canadian Wheat Research Coalition (CWRC) has committed $11.8 million over the next five years to a core breeding...