Net returns on flax were among the highest of any crop grown in Western Canada last year, and the outlook for next year is also promising, say industry analysts. However, farmers who are thinking of increasing their flax acreage this year or bringing it back into their rotations should be securing seed as soon as […] Read more
Brian Cross
Stories by Brian Cross
Test flax now to avoid disappointment, says council
Canadian flax growers will soon bear the full cost of testing their flax crop for the presence of genetically modified material. Funding for the Flax Farm Stewardship program will end Feb. 28, says the Flax Council of Canada . After that, the full cost of testing will be borne by farmers. Will Hill, president of […] Read more
Industry initiative tackles grain movement challenges
Farm groups and stakeholders in the Canadian grain trade are joining forces to take a closer look at the logistical issues affecting the Canadian grain industry. Canola, wheat, pulse and soy growers, as well as industry representatives involved in the grain, oilseed, pulse and special crops trade, announced today that they will spend $3.2 million […] Read more
Slow grain movement continues to vex farmers
Last fall’s record-breaking crop continues to cause transportation headaches for western Canadian farmers. Mark Dyck, director of logistics with CWB, said as much as seven million tonnes of wheat and durum produced in Western Canada will not make it to market this year because of supply chain constraints. “Basically, we think that carry-out on all […] Read more
Farmer-run wheat breeding considered
New directors to the Saskatchewan Wheat Development Commission say the concept of a producer-funded, farmer-controlled wheat breeding program deserves serious consideration. “We want to invest producers’ money the most efficient way we can to maximize their profitability (and) … we’re going to explore all avenues to do that,” said Glenn Tait, a farmer from Meota, […] Read more
Management key in farming, on-farm business
Father, son work together | Management skills, equipment manufacturing sustain 10,000 acre farm
ELROSE, Sask. — It was love of agriculture that convinced Linden Hartman to get into farming at the age of 22. But it was a combination of factors including opportune timing, family support and good management skills that helped to make it a stable, life-long career. “I’ve always loved it,” said Linden, 29, who started […] Read moreInfo wanted on WIT deal
The potential sale of Weyburn Inland Terminal has sparked concern among producers and shareholders who say the process aimed at selling the farmer-controlled grain handling facility is flawed. The group is demanding that the Weyburn, Sask., terminal’s board of directors hold a shareholder information meeting before WIT’s annual general meeting to offer details of the […] Read more
Gluten quality studied in Ont.
Ottawa is spending more than $400,000 to fund a research project that will examine gluten quality in Ontario winter wheat. Pierre Lemieux, parliamentary secretary for agriculture minister Gerry Ritz, made the funding announcement Jan. 7 in Guelph, Ont. The government is committing $422,000 to the project, which will be conducted by the Ontario Cereal Industry […] Read more
Flax supplies expected to be tight as profitability soars
Net returns on flax were among the highest of any crop grown in Western Canada last year, and the outlook for next year is also promising, say industry analysts. However, farmers who are thinking of increasing their flax acreage this year or bringing it back into their rotations should be securing seed as soon as […] Read more
Researchers tackle toxic grain at feed centre
Researchers at the University of Saskatchewan’s agriculture college have teamed up with the Global Institute for Food Security to look for ways to remove harmful mycotoxins from grain samples. Tom Scott, research chair in feed processing at the U of S, said the institute will contribute $1.5 million to a project aimed at identifying and […] Read more
