By Alice McFarlane

Agriculture Roundup for Friday February 16, 2024

Feb 16, 2024 | 3:53 PM

Demand for quality Canadian soybeans in the competitive Indo-Pacific market is strong.

That was the message shared by current and potential customers when the value chain delegation led by Soy Canada visited the region in early February as part of an outgoing mission.

Soy Canada market development manager Nicole Mackellar said the quality of Canadian soybeans is appreciated by customers.

“Our mission succeeded in helping our customers understand Canadian soybeans and helping us hear clearly what’s important to them,” Mackellar said.

The delegation included 20 representatives from Canadian soybean export companies along with farmer representatives from four Canadian provinces. The delegation connected with more than 150 current and potential customers in Japan and Thailand.

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This year marked the first mission to Thailand, a country that is quickly emerging as a large market for Canadian soybeans. The mission provided the group with opportunities to meet with representatives through seminars, industry association meetings and facility visits.

Soy Canada hosted seminars in each country, featuring information about the Sustainable Canadian Soy program, a review of the 2023 growing season and a global soybean market overview.

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New report from the Canadian Agricultural Human Resource Council (CAHRC) projects job vacancies will surpass 100,000 by 2030 as nearly one-third of agri-workforce retires.

The labour market supply and demand forecast is a study conducted by The Conference Board of Canada.

The report found a 15 per cent increase in job vacancies compared to the number of jobs in 2022 that could not be filled by Canadians and residents of Canada.

Titled Sowing Seeds of Change, the report stated this is due in part to Canada’s aging population as more than 85,300 people – 30 per cent of the workforce – are expected to retire over the same period.

CAHRC executive director Jennifer Wright said labour shortages are one of the most serious issues in agriculture.

“They have a direct impact on local food security, economic development and the sustainability of the sector,” Wright said. “CAHRC’s labour market data offers the necessary insight to inform how we will tackle current and future challenges so our industry and its workforce can reach their full potential.”

The labour market information report said temporary foreign workers (TFW) will play an important role in narrowing the domestic labour gap.

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Case IH has launched its version of a Class 10-plus combine.

Harvesting segment leader Leo Bose said it is offering technology-driven efficiencies to growers.

“It’s about elevating control – even if the farmer isn’t in the driver seat. We’re providing technology that can optimize machine settings in real-time to navigate even the toughest conditions harvest can throw your way,” Bose said.

With its AFXL2 dual rotor system, the AF11 becomes Case IH’s first dual rotor combine.

The AF11 will only be available in North America and more information about specifications and pricing will be released at a later date.

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alice.mcfarlane@pattisonmedia.com

On X: @farmnewsNOW