Canadian international aid organization part of larger humanitarian mission to assist people displaced by Russian invasion
Humanitarian and non-governmental aid organizations across Canada continued a massive appeal effort this week, seeking monetary donations to help refugees and residents from war-torn Ukraine. In late February, the Canadian Red Cross launched the Ukraine Humanitarian Crisis Appeal, aimed at assisting individuals and families affected by ongoing conflict. Monetary donations to the Red Cross will […] Read more
Brian Cross
Stories by Brian Cross
Producers urged to read their grain contracts
University of Manitoba poll from 2013 found only 17 percent of farmers read their grain contracts from beginning to end
Grain production contracts can be an effective way to manage price risk on the farm, but they can also result in costly and disappointing surprises, especially if contract terms aren’t fully understood. According to a 2013 poll conducted by the University of Manitoba, only 17 percent of farmers read their grain contracts from start to […] Read more
Corn stocks tighten as S. America remains dry
The extent of the Russian invasion’s impact of on Ukraine’s corn production and exports continues to remain uncertain
Already tight global corn stocks could become even tighter in 2022 as traders contemplate the impact of reduced exports from Ukraine and continued dryness in parts of South America, commodity analysts said late last month. In a Feb. 24 web event hosted by Refinitiv, analysts said dry weather and poor soil moisture in southern Brazil […] Read more
The future of resistance is unfolding now
Herbicide resistance will require canola growers to use more broadly-based approaches for weed control
Controlling weeds in prairie fields is about to get a whole lot more complicated, according to a weed management specialist with Manitoba Agriculture. In a recent presentation, Kim Brown-Livingston suggested the days of depending solely on chemical herbicides to control weeds is nearing an end. “We’ve had it fairly easy in the last little while,” […] Read more
Crusher on track: Ceres
Grain handling company Ceres Global Ag Corp. says plans are on track to build a $385 million canola crushing facility at Northgate, Sask., about 250 kilometres southeast of Regina. In a recent conference call with investors, Robert Day, president and chief executive officer at Ceres, said project design work is well underway and equipment for […] Read more
Farmers concerned as cost of production soars
Consumer price index increases to 5.1 percent in January from 4.8 percent in December; fertilizer jump particularly high
Canada’s cost of living continues to rise, reaching levels not seen since the early 1990s. Statistics Canada recently calculated the country’s year-over-year consumer price index for January at 5.1 percent, up from 4.8 percent a month earlier. The January rate, the country’s highest year-over-year rate since 1991, prompted a statement from the Canadian Taxpayers Federation […] Read more
Interest rates cause concern
Canadian farmers facing higher prices for fertilizer, fuel, farm chemicals and machinery will soon have another cost increase to contend with. In late January, the Bank of Canada warned that that interest rates will need to increase to control the country’s rising inflation rate. Canada’s consumer price index inflation rate was calculated at 4.8 percent […] Read more
Payment protection changes suggested for Grain Act
Legislative review consultations found support for producer payment protection, but improvements were recommended
This is the final story in our three-part series looking at the Canada Grain Act review process. Ensuring Canadian farmers receive full payment for the grain they deliver is one of the most important functions of the Canadian Grain Commission. So, it’s not surprising that producer payment protection (PPP) programs and grain buyer licensing were […] Read more
Wetter times may loom on the prairie horizon
Soil moisture deficit still severe in many areas, but meteorologist points to positive signals that relief might be on the way
There may be a glimmer of hope this spring for prairie producers who need a break from bone-dry fields and drought-plagued pastures. Drew Lerner, president and senior agricultural meteorologist with World Weather Inc., said factors are lining up to bring relief to drought-stricken areas this year, although patience will be required. The depth of Western […] Read more
Strong demand expected for cash advance loans
Higher commodity prices will increase the amount of money that is available this year through the federal program
The expectation of strong cash values for almost all farm commodities in 2022 will have a significant impact on the amount of credit offered this year through the Advance Payment Program, says the program’s largest administrator. Dave Gallant, director of finance and operations at the Canadian Canola Growers Association, said the average value of APP […] Read more
