Stronger flax prices might be around the corner as China shows interest in this year’s quality crop. |  File photo

Flax prices finally break long market silence

Flax prices are beginning to creep higher in Canada and that comes as no surprise to Harold Davis, author of Prairie Crop Charts. FOB prices jumped to $12.50 per bushel last week from $12 previously, breaking a long stretch of steady to lower prices since January. Davis knew better prices were on the horizon partly […] Read more

Sustainability push sparks conference

Meetings about greenhouse gas emissions and biofuels are just starting to become regular occurrences in Western Canada. In Europe there are entire tradeshow events and large scale conferences, conferences. Governments there have provided direction and funding to industries including agriculture about energy production, use and climate change planning. The Agricultural Producers of Saskatchewan and the […] Read more

OIG representatives visited seven U.S. ports and determined that the USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service, which oversees organic rules and regulations, isn't doing enough to monitor the validity of organic food imports. | Screencap via www.usda.gov

Fake organic imports not seen as major problem in Canada

Bogus organic food could be entering the United States because of poor oversight, and the same may be happening in Canada. In a report released in September, the U.S. Department of Agriculture found that authorities at American ports are failing to detect organic food imports that aren’t actually organic. (PDF format) The report focused on […] Read more


Late-seeded crop dodges harvest bullet

Farmers have made tremendous harvest progress in the northern Prairies and it now appears the vast majority of the crop will make it to the bin, say crop watchers. The market was particularly concerned about the late-seeded crop in Alberta’s Peace region, but farmers made great strides last week. “My agronomist contacts and the farmers […] Read more

Submit grain samples early, urges CGC

Beginning this year, grain and oilseed producers who submit crop samples to the Canadian Grain Commission’s Harvest Sample Program will have a new option that allows them to receive their results more quickly. Producers who provide an email address can get sample results via email — including unofficial grade and quality — as soon as […] Read more


Minneapolis-based Pipeline Foods Inc. bought elevators at Gull Lake, Sask. as part of its plans to buy organic grain in Canada.  |  Pipeline Foods photos

U.S. company has big plans for organic supply chain

A new organic grain company that acquired two wooden crib grain elevators in southern Saskatchewan says more investments will be announced soon. Pipeline Foods Inc., based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, recently bought elevators at Wapella and Gull Lake. The elevators, both located along the Trans-Canada Highway, have been buying organic and non-genetically modified crops since early […] Read more

Crop report – September 21, 2017

Manitoba SOUTHWEST Temperatures were normal to above normal with little to no precipitation, and post-harvest herbicide is on hold until rains stimulate weed growth. Harvest of field peas is completed, spring cereals are almost complete, canola is about half complete, corn silage harvesting has begun, second cut alfalfa is completed and green feed silage continues. […] Read more

Pipeline Foods LLC, which identifies itself as a supply chain solutions company focused exclusively on non-GM and organic food and feed, said it is buying elevators in Wapella and Gull Lake. | Screencap via www.gulllakesk.ca

Organic company gives Sask. elevators new life

An American company that buys organic and non-genetically modified crops has bought two small elevators in Saskatchewan. Pipeline Foods LLC, which identifies itself as a supply chain solutions company focused exclusively on non-GM and organic food and feed, said it is buying elevators in Wapella and Gull Lake. Wapella, a 3,500 tonne facility, and Gull […] Read more


Canada wheat production down, according to new StatsCan analysis

OTTAWA, Sept 19 (Reuters) – Wheat production in Canada fell by 14.5 percent in 2017 compared to 2016, according to a Statistics Canada report based in part on satellite and agroclimate data. The report, released on Tuesday, also said oat production grew by 19 percent while barley production fell by 16.8 percent. Canola production was […] Read more

According to today's Saskatchewan crop report, 65 percent of the crop was in the bin as of Sept. 11, compared to the 2012-16 average of 40 percent. Another 22 percent of crops are swathed or ready to be straight-cut. | Michael Raine photo

Saskatchewan harvest well head of average pace

Sept. 14 (CNS Canada) — Last week’s warm, dry weather perfectly suited for combining pushed harvest progress in Saskatchewan well ahead of average for this time of year. According to today’s Saskatchewan crop report, 65 percent of the crop was in the bin as of Sept. 11, compared to the 2012-16 average of 40 percent. […] Read more