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Agriculture Roundup for Wednesday, October 2

Oct 2, 2024 | 12:05 PM

Many producers across the region and much of the province can expect a ‘killing frost’ overnight on Thursday.

Danielle Desjardins of Environment and Climate Change Canada says a ridge of high pressure has entered the province, bringing with it cooler air.

Desjardins said temperatures are expected to be around freezing overnight, but Thursday will see significant frost.

“It is definitely a concern (for producers) if we’re getting to the – 4 C or – 5 C range that is a killing frost so that would be a concern for any crops that are still in the field,” Desjardins said.

Temperatures will bounce back heading into the weekend, with highs approaching 20 C into next week.

Desjardins says the overnight lows during the warm-up will be in the single digits, but frost is not in the forecast in the next week or so after Thursday.

The National Circle for Indigenous Agriculture and Food (NCIAF) and Bayer Crop Science Canada are collaborating to help build a bridge between agriculture and Indigenous communities.

Bayer is contributing $25,000 to help build that connection.

Crop Science Canada Country Division Head Antoine Bernet said in a news release that Bayer is eager to start the relationship, as they look to contribute towards reconciliation and healing of Indigenous people.

“We look forward building meaningful relationships with NCIAF, and supporting their creative and innovative projects that empower Indigenous agriculture and support Canada’s food sector,” Bernet said.

The National Circle for Indigenous Agriculture and Food attempts to build bridges between Indigenous Peoples and communities and the agriculture and food industry, in an effort to promote reconciliation.

“As the first farmers of this land, NCIAF exists to help our First Nations People rekindle their relationship with agriculture; to grow, harvest and provide healthy food to their families and their communities,” said Kallie Wood, NCIAF president and CEO.

Wood said the NCIAF invites the agriculture and agribusiness industry to collaborate and connect with Indigenous businesses to promote equitable partnerships that centre around environmental, social, and sustainable impacts.

The partnership will see Bayer work with NCIAF to facilitate activities that remove barriers for Indigenous communities, and at the same time engage Bayer employees in education and opportunities for reconciliation.

That includes Bayer’s support of the NCIAF Community Garden in Saskatchewan, which looks to revitalize Indigenous community involvement in agriculture with a space where they can seed, grow, and harvest their own produce.

Wood said the partnership addresses the barriers that have hindered Indigenous involvement in agriculture and acknowledges the generational and systemic trauma the community has faced.

“By cultivating these opportunities, we are taking meaningful action to heal and reclaim our relationship with the land, ensuring that Indigenous voices and knowledge thrive in agriculture for generations to come,” said Wood.