Väderstad has once again been named as one of Saskatchewan‘s Top Employers. Along with many of Saskatchewan’s top workplaces, Väderstad continued to excel despite COVID-19.

Businesses that enter the 2021 Saskatchewan’s Top Employers competition, managed by Mediacorp Canada Inc., are evaluated according to eight categories: physical workplace; work atmosphere and social; health, financial and family benefits; vacation and time off; employee communications; performance management; training and skills development; and community involvement.

The pandemic added a new twist that affected all aspects of work-life, says Richard Yerema, managing editor of Mediacorp’s Canada‘s Top 100 Employers and regional competitions across the country.

“The pandemic is obviously a universal story,”

he says, noting that comprehensive wellness and support programs proved invaluable for workers often under tremendous pressure and feeling heightened anxiety about their own health and the well-being of their loved ones.

In a nutshell, workers feeling safe on the job defined how the province’s Top Employers measured success during the pandemic.

 

Source: Vaderstad

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As Ryan Hutchison, Integrated Solutions Manager for South Country puts it,

“We’re trying to provide agronomic insights around weather and soil moisture data for the customer and their partners. Based on water and where it is in the soil profile, we’ve been able to put together insights on what yield potential is based on water. If water was the only limiting factor, what is your yield potential?”

Serving farmers across 7.5 million acres of south-central Saskatchewan, South Country has been in the connected farming business since 2014 when they brought John Deere Field Connect to their customers. With John Deere discontinuing support for JD field connect at the end of 2020, South Country faced a problem.

“John Deere was discontinuing a product that we’d sold customers back in 2014. We had a fleet of a couple of hundred John Deere weather stations that were going to go offline at the end of 2020.”

Hutchison says.

“Our core need initially was the connectivity solutions for our existing product. But their flexibility has allowed the relationship to grow.”

South Country first met RealmFive at a John Deere Develop w/Deere conference, and their interest was piqued. Hutchison and his team were impressed early on, saying,

“Right off the cuff, it was clear they were there with a purpose. They were open to discuss and listen to what we were doing and what our current and future needs were.”

RealmFive’s flexibility in adapting to and working with South Country’s proprietary software proved to be a game-changer.

“Their ability to adapt their API to meet our needs was great. It’s very common for a company to have stringent API access, but their team was very quick to help us understand how to pull the data directly from their system.”

Another example of RealmFive adapting to South Country’s needs is hardware. Hutchison recalls a specific example:

“Normally hardware is a component in a box and let’s hope one size fits all. But in Saskatchewan, we don’t have a lot of 4G coverage in the countryside. We were delivered 4G technology, which worked fine where we had coverage. And where that didn’t exist, their hardware allowed us to do a modem swap effortlessly. It was that simple. We were able to work with their hardware easily to meet the needs of our trade area.”

“Their communication is top-notch. It’s like being married.”

“I would say that R5 customer service has shown to be one of the best we have worked with.”

With service, another high point for South Country is the communication between both organizations. According to Hutchison,

“They’ve done a good job of staying in contact with our entire team, regardless of their position (in the company). Everybody along the way took ownership of the task until it was appropriately handed off. From the CEO on down, they’ve been very open to communicating in many ways.”

During the transition from John Deere Field Connect to RealmFive, South Country had some very quick marketing and support needs.

“They took ownership of their own marketing and met their own commitments. The ability to understand our marketplace. And if they don’t know something, they invest the time to listen and understand what our needs are.”

he said. What really stands out, according to Hutchison, is

“RealmFive is going to allow us to continue to differentiate and meet the needs of our customers.”

The reality across agriculture is that more and more things are connected every day. Hutchison believes that “the path forward is going to come from the insights from the data – that’s what the producers are looking for.”

That’s where he sees RealmFive’s brand-agnostic approach as particularly strong.

In sum, Ryan Hutchison sees South Country’s experience with RealmFive this way:

“We were able to employ conversion a year ahead of the discontinuation of a John Deere product, save the producer money, and, quite frankly, get better connectivity.”

Source: South Country Equipment

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Raven Industries, Inc. announced that the company will be opening a new location near Regina, SK as Raven Applied Technology’s Canadian Headquarters. With significant capacity for machine production and five acres for testing, this new facility is positioned to be the central campus for precision and autonomous agriculture innovation, training, and service for Raven Canada. The expansion within Western Canada solidifies Raven’s commitment to pave the way in autonomous farming on a global scale.

Brian Meyer, Vice President of Raven Applied Technology, said:

“Establishing a headquarters for Raven Canada in Saskatchewan proves our dedication to this pivotal market. Our history with precision ag solutions in Canada has provided confidence that this location will be a catalyst for significant growth for Raven.”

Raven completed its acquisition of DOT Technology Corp., the Saskatchewan-based developer of the Dot Power Platform, in June of 2020. The new 21,000 sq. ft building will be at the forefront of autonomous support and innovation in Canada by being dedicated to assembling, manufacturing, and testing Raven Dot Power Platforms. Located at 4 Industrial Drive West, Emerald Park, SK, the Raven Canada Headquarters will open in November 2020.

Raven Autonomy Executive Director, Wade Robey shared:

“In the past 11 months, Raven Autonomy has boldly grown in technology and partnerships. Through Dot, we have a long-standing relationship with the Canadian agriculture market and have seen interest in autonomous machinery that is unmatched. Canada has proved to be a critical region for Raven for over 25 years. This new location will allow us to expedite product development, as well as provide outstanding service and support to our customers and partners.”

In addition to opening the facility near Regina, Raven is partnering with Economic Development Regina Inc. (EDR) as a part of the Investment Partnership Program (IPP). Through this program, Raven will provide resources to EDR’s Agriculture and Food Initiative to support Saskatchewan’s collaboration for agriculture throughout Western Canada.

Marco Coppola, Raven Autonomy Business Development Manager, said:

“I’ve had the pleasure of working and living in this community for years. Saskatchewan has always been pushing agriculture into the future, so our partnership with EDR is a seamless way for us to listen and support the momentum that’s already here. Community involvement and investment is a top priority for Raven, and we are eager to see the industry advancements that this program will produce.”

Raven is changing the ag technology landscape by helping ag professionals be safer, be more efficient, and ultimately run their operation to its highest outcome potential. By establishing Canadian Headquarters and investing in community collaboration, Raven will help transform futuristic ideas into concrete realities.

Source: Raven Industries

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Premier Scott Moe announced the first steps of a generational project that will fulfill the vision of Prime Minister John Diefenbaker to ensure the prosperity of Saskatchewan people and irrigate up to 500,000 acres of land from Lake Diefenbaker, more than doubling the irrigable land in Saskatchewan.  The project is beginning with an immediate $22.5 million investment in preliminary engineering and initial construction.  Project construction is expected to occur approximately over the next 10 years in three main phases at a cost estimated at $4 billion.

Moe said:

“The announcement of this generational project will see the vision of Lake Diefenbaker completed over the course of the next decade. By doubling the amount of irrigable land in our province, this project will be a massive step in completing the goals our government has set out in our 2030 Growth Plan.”

Phase 1 of the project is estimated to cost $500 million and will include the rehabilitation and expansion of the existing Westside irrigation canal system.  This work will increase the amount of irrigable land by 80,000 acres in the area.  It is considered one of the most shovel ready irrigation projects in the province with 90 per cent of the current canal already in place.

Phases 2 and 3 of the project are estimated to cost up to $3.5 billion.

Phase 2 will see the further expansion and buildout of the Westside Irrigation Project, adding an additional 260,000 acres of irrigable land.  Once fully built and developed, the project will eventually see land made available for irrigation near Macrorie, Milden, Zealandia, and as far north as Delisle and Asquith.

Phase 3 will see the buildout of the Qu’Appelle South Irrigation Project, adding an estimated 120,000 acres of irrigable land.  Starting at Lake Diefenbaker and going south, the project would run near the communities of Tugaske, Eyebrow, down to Marquis and into Buffalo Pound Lake.  It would provide the Moose Jaw-Regina corridor and southern Saskatchewan with a secure source of water for the next century and act as a catalyst for significant industrial expansion in the years to come.

This year, $22.5 million is being invested as part of Phase 1 to immediately begin preliminary engineering and initial construction of the Westside Irrigation Project.  Preliminary soil quality analysis of the Qu’Appelle South Irrigation Project area will also begin this year.

Minister Responsible for the Water Security Agency Greg Ottenbreit said:

“Saskatchewan has one of the most unique opportunities across the country. We are well positioned to further develop while providing a secure water supply for generations to come.   I am very confident Legislative Secretary Lyle Stewart will move this project forward to ensure certainty for our economy and a secure water supply for decades to come.”

These irrigation projects are building blocks for regional economic development in Saskatchewan.  Initial estimates show the investment will result in a $40 to $80 billion increase in the provincial Gross Domestic Product over the next 50 years.  The project is estimated to create 2,500 construction jobs a year, over the next ten years.

Agriculture Minister David Marit said.

“I look forward to working with producers, industry and government partners to expand irrigation capacity in Saskatchewan. From diversifying crop production and attracting more value-added processing, to benefitting local economies and adding to our long-term food security, increased irrigation opportunities support a profitable and sustainable economy.”

“Irrigation is an important part of the Saskatchewan agriculture industry and the economy,” Legislative Secretary to the Minister Responsible for Water Security Agency Lyle Stewart said.  “It supports the growth of diverse, high-value crops, which increases on-farm profitability, value-added processing opportunities, business attraction and employment.”

“Lake Diefenbaker is a major resource for this province, and it is very encouraging to see the government taking this next step,” Saskatchewan Irrigation Projects Association Chair Aaron Gray said.  “Projects like this put Saskatchewan producers in a very strong position to create a sustainable and secure food supply for Canada.”

Discussions with the federal government are being coordinated by SaskBuilds, in partnership with the Water Security Agency and the Ministry of Agriculture, to leverage all possible federal infrastructure funding opportunities, including through the Canada Infrastructure Bank.  Saskatchewan is seeking federal funding now to support planning work and will be seeking significant longer-term funding to support this multi-year, multi-phase construction project.

The province expects to complete further consultations and discussions with stakeholders and First Nations as the project progresses.

Source: Saskatchewan.ca

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“I am honoured to have the support of the Board of Directors to move into the role of Chair. The Wheat Growers have been advocates of strong agricultural policy for 50 years and the future looks strong for us,”

said Daryl Fransoo, Chair.

Fransoo farms with his father near Glaslyn, Saskatchewan, where he produces spring and soft white wheat, malt barley, canola, multiple varieties of peas and lentils, and oats. His family also owned and operated a pulse processing and exporting business in Saskatchewan.

“I would like to thank outgoing Chair, Jim Wickett for his years of service to the Wheat Growers as Chair. I’m pleased that Jim is remaining on the Board to share his experience, insights and expertise with us. He remains a valuable source of information to the Board and myself,”

closed Fransoo.

Source: Western Canadian Wheat Growers

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It is estimated that Canada needs approximately 60,000 foreign workers for the agriculture sector, over 1,400 specifically for oilseed and grain farming. Most of the TFWs hired for grain farming bring expertise and experience which has been in short supply in rural areas.

said Kenton Possberg, Saskatchewan Director:

“All the same self-isolation measures should continue to be in place for any TFW coming into the country, similar to any Canadian that is returning to Canada. The challenge is that many remote grain farms cannot operate without Temporary Foreign Workers as a part of their crew. The importance of our food value chain cannot be under-estimated for both our domestic or international markets.”

Seeding season is just around the corner and cannot be delayed. It is imperative that the federal government address this issue immediately.

“The Western Canadian Wheat Growers calls upon the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food to bring this issue before the COVID-19 Emergency Response Cabinet Committee,”

closed Possberg.

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In addition to the Stay Extension, the Court approved the Companies’ request for the following:
• Implementation of a Sales and Investment Solicitation Process (SISP);
• Implementation of a Claims Process;
• Debtor in Possession or interim financing (Interim Financing).

The Companies, with the support of the Monitor and their primary secured lenders, believe that a SISP which provides for the greatest flexibility in soliciting interest from various parties for the sale or investment in the shares or assets of the Companies; a refinancing, reorganization, recapitalization, joint-venture, merger, or other business transaction involving the Companies, or some combination thereof, will provide the greatest opportunity for the Morris Group to complete their restructuring. A copy of the SISP and the Monitor’s commentary thereon can be accessed at www.alvarezandmarsal.com/morris (the Case Website).

The Companies, with the support of the Monitor, prepared a Claims Process to establish the amount of creditor claims against the Companies as at January 8, 2020 (the date of the Initial Order). All filed and admitted claims will be considered under a potential plan of compromise and/or arrangement (a Plan) which the Morris Group may present to its creditors and stakeholders.

In accordance with the terms of the Claims Process, all claims must be filed with the Monitor on or before March 2, 2020 (the Claims Bar Date), or forever be extinguished. A copy of the Claims Process and procedures can be accessed on the Case Website. The Companies have been able to secure Interim Financing from Bank of Montreal in the amount of $5.7 million.

Based on the Companies cash flow forecast for the period January 10, 2020 to April 10, 2020, the Interim Financing is anticipated to allow the Companies to continue operations in the ordinary course, and facilitate their restructuring activities during the forecast period. A copy of the Interim Financing terms and the Monitor’s commentary thereon can be accessed on the Case Website.

The Monitor has advised the Court that the Companies were continuing to act in good faith and with due diligence, acknowledged that the Companies required additional time to implement their restructuring activities, and concluded that no creditor would be materially prejudiced by the Stay Extension.

Accordingly, the Court granted the Companies request to extend the CCAA proceedings. The Companies believe that with the support from their secured lenders and additional time to implement their restructuring strategies, the Morris Group will be in the best position to restructure its affairs and formalize a Plan for consideration by their creditors.

Source: Morris Industries

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Under the recently announced Canadian Agricultural Partnership (CAP) AgriScience Cluster program, SPG will be leveraging their grower dollar investment with $8.7 million of Government and other industry partner funding.

“SPG would like to recognize Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada for their continued investment into pulse research,” says Corey Loessin, Chair of Saskatchewan Pulse Growers and Radisson area pulse farmer. “By leveraging Saskatchewan grower dollars with government and industry partner funding through the CAP AgriScience Cluster program, we are able to ensure that our investments into research go further to addressing the production and market challenges that are facing our industry.” 

Industry partners on the Pulse Science Cluster include Alberta Pulse Growers, Manitoba Pulse and Soybean Growers, Ontario Bean Growers, and Pulse Canada.

Projects funded under the Pulse Science Cluster are seeking to make advancements in critical areas for the pulse industry, including a project that will utilize breeding and agronomic management practices to mitigate the yield loss in peas due to root rot. Another project will help build new demand for Canadian pulses in the pet food market, as the industry is working to diversify demand for pulses.

“Research that will increase on-farm productivity and reduce agronomic challenges is a top priority for SPG,” says Loessin. “We are also targeting our research investments into projects that will build new demand for Canadian pulses. The recent loss of market access in India, our largest market, demonstrates the importance of continuing to diversify market demand to ensure that we are not as reliant on any one market for pulse trade in the future.”

The total value of research included under the five-year Pulse AgriScience Cluster is over $18 million, with $11.1 million coming from the CAP AgriScience Cluster program.

Source: Sask Pulse Growers

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