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Agriculture Roundup for Tuesday August 17, 2021

Aug 17, 2021 | 10:12 AM

MELFORT, Sask. — A location has been selected for Saskatchewan’s newest canola crushing plant.

Cargill said the $350 million facility will be built west of Regina, Sask. at the Global Transportation Hub (GTH).

Cargill Canada president Jeff Vassart said GTH offers good highway and rail infrastructure and will cause minimal disruption to Regina residents while giving canola farmers easy access for deliveries.

Vassart said construction should begin soon with the plant operational in 2024.

Milk consumption declined slightly during the pandemic but have recovered.

This according to the annual Economics of Milk Production publication which provides information on the costs and returns of producing milk in Alberta.

Alberta Agriculture and Forestry research analyst Pauline Van Biert said dairy farmers closely watch their costs to remain efficient and profitable.

“They watch their milk production levels to be able to supply the amount of milk the consumer is asking for,” Van Biert said.

The report said by April 2020, there was a huge shift in milk demand as consumption patterns changed from the food service industry to cooking at and staying at home.

“Both revenues and production requirements saw improvement by the end of the year as demand for dairy products rose to near pre-pandemic levels, ” she said.

Despite the pandemic, there was little change to cost of production between 2019 and 2020. The average cost to produce 100 litres of milk in 2020 was $83.24. This was less than a one per cent increase, up only 77 cents.

Dairy farmers in Alberta volunteer to participate on the annual Dairy cost study and provide information on their dairy enterprise. In return, they receive a business analysis to use in their daily farm management.

With COVID-19 restrictions lifted, Ag in Motion near Langham, Sask. will be hosting a small in-person livestock event Friday and Saturday.

There will be a junior cattle show and open cattle show. There will also be cattle dog trials.

There will be livestock equipment on display, as well as seminars on water, feeding systems, grazing management, and herd health after weaning.

Cost for the event is $10 per person per day at the gate, and parking is available on site. There will also be food trucks.

If you’re not able to attend there will be a digital Livestock Day on Aug. 26.

alice.mcfarlane@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @farmnewsNOW