SASKATOON — Canada’s flax exporters are closely monitoring the European Union market this year. “It’s going to be very interesting to see what happens now with the EU imposing tariffs on Russia,” said Tyson Fehr, procurement and marketing manager with Prairie Premium Products Inc., a flax processor in Portage la Prairie, Man. Related stories: Russia […] Read more
Flax
Company envisions power from flax pellets
WINNIPEG — Entrepreneurs get involved in a new business for a variety of reasons — market need or even an opportunity to change the world. In Mark Cooper’s case, he was tired of listening to his friend, Trevor Thomas, go on and on about flax straw. Thomas and Cooper’s wives are best friends and whenever […] Read more
Flax pellet plans move back to Saskatchewan
Regina based Prairie Clean Energy is bringing its flax pellet facility home. After one year of using Hemp Sense’s pellet mill facility in Gilbert Plains, Man., PCE is preparing for a more local launch. It announced a crowdfunding campaign with a goal of $1.5 million on June 11 to buy the equipment needed to process […] Read more
EU tariffs could boost exports here
SASKATOON — New European Union tariffs on grain from Russia and Belarus could create opportunities for Canadian exporters. “For the period of application of this regulation, which is undetermined, this certainly opens new export opportunities, including for Canadian producers,” Olof Gill, spokesperson for trade and agriculture with the European Commission, said in an email. Related […] Read more
Flax misses biofuel party
SASKATOON — It seems like every oilseed crop is vying to be a biofuel feedstock, with one notable exception. “Flax is kind of the odd man out,” said Dale Leftwich, policy manager for the Saskatchewan Flax Development Commission. He doesn’t know why that is the case. “I’m not sure what all of the reasons would […] Read more
Black Sea region expected to produce more flax
The crop is faring better than others in Russia's drought-hit regions, and acreage is anticipated to be higher than last year
SASKATOON — Black Sea flax growers are hoping for a rebound year. Acreage is expected to be up in Russia, although there are no official numbers yet, said Sergey Pluzhnikov, head of sales for Temporia Capital Company and founder of Russian Pulses Analytics. Related stories: Russian farmers planted 3.46 million acres of the oilseed last […] Read more
China’s Belt & Road initiative hits speed bump
SASKATOON — China’s Belt & Road Initiative is falling short of expectations, according to a new report. The country embarked on the initiative in 2013, vowing to revitalize the ancient Silk Road and enhance trade with Europe, Asia and Africa. Related stories: At the time, Canadian grain analysts flagged the BRI as a big threat […] Read more
Canaryseed producers optimistic about 2024
Producers haven’t been contracting much production, which could mean they are anticipating higher prices this year
Glacier FarmMedia – WINNIPEG — Despite declines in production and exports during the current year, canaryseed may bounce back in 2024-25. David Nobbs, chair of the Canary Seed Development Commission of Saskatchewan and pulse merchant for Purely Canada Foods, said exports are on pace for 110,000 to 120,000 tonnes in 2023-24, compared to 150,000 to […] Read more
Flax acres down amid hope for renewed EU interest
SASKATOON — Canadian flax growers could regain some of the market share they have lost in the European Union in 2024-25, says a commodity broker. The European Commission has proposed higher tariffs on imports of cereals and oilseeds from Russia and Belarus. In nearly all cases, duties would rise to either $139 per tonne or […] Read more
The need for social, farming changes recognized in 1970s
In the early 1970s, two things were very apparent: the changing attitude toward women in society and the need for prairie farmers to reduce their dependency on cereal grain crops. Among the news stories of 1971, an article by Catherine Shorten, in the Jan. 6, 1972, issue of The Western Producer, revealed that the world […] Read more
