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Agriculture Roundup for Wednesday February 17, 2021

Feb 17, 2021 | 10:24 AM

MELFORT, Sask. – The FarmCash Advance Payments Program is expanding beyond Alberta and will be available to agricultural producers in British Columbia, Saskatchewan and Manitoba beginning Mar.15.

Since 2018, FarmCash has been providing Alberta producers of over 50 agricultural commodities another option to manage their operation’s cash flow.

Alberta Wheat Commission (AWC) chair Todd Hames said all western Canadian agricultural producers can benefit.

FarmCash provides producers up to $1 million with the first $100,000 interest-free and the remainder at an interest rate of TD prime minus 0.75 per cent.

The Advance Payments Program is a federal loan program administered by AWC.

The cold weather kept Saskatchewan cattle producers at home.

As a result, only about 6,500 head of cattle made their way to auction markets in Saskatchewan.

Feeder steer prices were higher in almost every weight category with the biggest increase in the 500-to-600-pound category. The average price was $231.83 per hundredweight. Heifer prices were mainly higher compared to the previous week.

There were roughly 17,700 head marketed this previous week.

Manitoba Ag Days has found a way to support the community.

The organization is giving $28,000 to Ag in the Classroom, early learning centres and a scholarship program.

General Manager Kristen Phillips said the board wanted to continue to provide contributions through the Ag Days Gives Back program event though the pandemic caused the cancellation of its event.

Agriculture in the Classroom will receive $10,000 to create a virtual Manitoba Ag Days Adventure while $15,000 will be donated to early learning centres across Manitoba.

In addition, $3,000 in scholarships will be presented to three post secondary students.

alice.mcfarlane@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @AliceMcF