Saskatchewan is playing host to a big meeting of agriculture officials all over North America.
The Tri-National Agricultural Accord is meeting in Saskatoon today (Tues) and tomorrow (Wed).
Provincial Agriculture Minister David Marit says representatives from Mexico, 22 U.S. states, and several provinces from Quebec to Alberta will be there.
Delegates will be visiting the Crop Development Centre Kernen Research Farm to learn about its ecological and grazing studies, crop breeding and production, and crop and weed management research.
They will also visit the Wanuskewin Heritage park to learn about the restoration of grasslands and the return of bison.
Marit says drought won’t be discussed, calling it more of a regional issue than continent-wide as it was in 2021. Instead, trade issues, especially around the border, will be a key item.
The U.S. is Saskatchewan’s number one agri-food export destination, with sales valued at $6.2-billion; Mexico is Saskatchewan’s 4th largest market with exports valued around $992-million.
When asked about AgriRecovery, a farm support program which Marit asked the federal government to assess whether it’s needed to deal with current drought conditions in the province, Marit said he hopes to meet with Federal Agriculture Minister Lawrence MacAulay on the sidelines of the meeting.
The three countries each take turns hosting, with next year’s scheduled to be in the U.S. in Virginia.