Manitoba hog producers’ dreams of bringing a major new packer to the province died when Hytek announced it was taking over an existing plant in Neepawa, Man. At least for the foreseeable future. “On the one hand it was good news because it makes sure we have that second packer here that’s committed long term […] Read more
Ed White
Stories by Ed White
Hog farmers feel currency pain
Shirley Voldeng isn’t losing money on hogs, which makes her a rare exception on the Prairies right now. But her good fortune isn’t due to managerial or production brilliance. She cleared out her barn last year and the new herd hasn’t yet produced market hogs. When it does, she dreads what the price will be. […] Read more
El Salvador’s bakers like Canadian wheat
Canadian wheat is becoming more valuable to bakers in El Salvador as the Central American nation’s food industry industrializes. “They need more consistency in the flour,” said Oscar Villalobos, production manager of Molinos Modernos in El Salvador. Until recently the country’s small bakers had been able to tinker with their machinery to compensate for quality […] Read more
World shortage has durum prices soaring
Durum prices have blown through the roof and are setting records, compensating prairie farmers who don’t have bulging bins this year. “It’s kind of a lifesaver, because I don’t have much of a crop,” said Blaine Haubrich of Glenbain, Sask. Haubrich, who farms in the heart of the prairie durum region, saw his crops wilt […] Read more
Canadian wheat tough sell in Greece
Greece can be a high-value market for Canadian spring wheat, but increasingly tough grain quality inspectors are making it harder for Greek buyers and pushing them toward closer suppliers. “They are very skeptical and very critical about (disease and fungus levels in wheat from nonEuropean countries),” says Greek wheat broker Evi Dremousi. “Every year they […] Read more
Hunting for wheat’s peak
If wheat hasn’t peaked, how high could it go before it does? And when? Those are the questions commodity analysis firms are wrestling with now. Here are answers by two companies with different approaches. Allendale Inc. Joe Victor of Allendale Inc. in Chicago thinks there’s little reason to believe wheat has peaked. “It’s not likely,” […] Read more
Farm advisers favour locking in wheat price now
Most farm marketing advisers are recommending their clients use the Canadian Wheat Board’s Fixed Price Contract and the Basis Payment Contract, speculating that high wheat prices will wilt before some farmers are able to capitalize. “When I put my farmer’s hat on I just want to keep a hold of it (unpriced) because I think […] Read more
Soaring loonie helps U.S. swine producers
As the pig production industry approaches the sometimes frightful fourth quarter, American farmers aren’t that grim-faced. That’s because they are resting on a comfy buffer, one that Canadian farmers spent years resting on. “We’re pretty pleased with the currency situation,” said University of Missouri hog industry analyst Ron Plain, laughing. “It makes a very big […] Read more
Officials prepare for avian flu
What would happen if avian influenza struck a chicken barn and authorities had to scramble to stomp out the infection? Federal and provincial agencies continue to run exercises to test that scenario. A recent lockdown and extermination of a layer hen egg barn near Winnipeg gave government officials and livestock industry people a chance to […] Read more
Livestock centre to examine costs of green technology
There’s lots of chatter about reducing phosphorus emissions, about moving to open housing for sows, and about making hog production more sustainable. But for farmers, any changes in production methods need to be carefully studied before taking the plunge. That’s what University of Manitoba researchers hope they can achieve with new equipment for the National […] Read more
