With the uncertainty of American tariffs hanging over the industry, columnist Kevin Hursh was surprised that affordable coverage at record high prices was available through the Livestock Price Insurance program.
Kevin Hursh, PAg
Stories by Kevin Hursh, PAg
Crop insurance coverage sags in Saskatchewan as price estimates fall
Crop insurance coverage sags in Saskatchewan as price estimates fall
Yield coverage and premiums per acre will vary from one producer to the next, but for most producers, crop insurance coverage will be lower in 2025 due to lower commodity prices.
Railway performance is in a bad way and likely to get worse
Both major Canadian railways are struggling to move grain in a timely fashion
As we grapple with a new world characterized by restricted trade with our closest neighbour, Canada will need to make various adjustments. The need for further progress on the ageless problem of grain transportation will become more important than ever.
U.S. producers also keeping close watch on Trump’s policies
U.S. president Donald Trump’s tariff plans should be a concern on both sides of the border.
Despite solid Trump support in rural America, many of his stated policies will adversely impact U.S. farmers.
Prairie farmers must prepare for a protracted economic battle
The natural reaction is to strike back against American tariffs with tariffs of our own, but it’s like kicking the sandbox bully in the shins while he has you in a chokehold. What’s to stop president Donald Trump from ratcheting up American tariffs even further? Not much, except that when a tariff becomes prohibitive, it […] Read more
Feds expect more wheat, less canola this year
Wheat acreage will increase this year while canola acreage will drop — at least, that’s the prediction in the January Outlook for Principal Field Crops report from the Market Analysis Group at Agriculture Canada. The Agriculture Canada analysis has very little good news when it comes to 2025-26 price projections. Wheat and flaxseed are about […] Read more
U.S. tariff squeeze promises to be a messy affair
Imagine squeezing a ripe tomato in the palm of your hand. Some juice squirts out. More juice runs down your arm with the tomato looking very different from when you started. This is being written just ahead of President Donald Trump’s inauguration and threatened tariffs, but if he follows through on his threats, business will […] Read more
The good, bad and ugly of 2025 cropping options
Only a select few cropping options are showing a profit over and above total costs in Saskatchewan Agriculture’s 2025 Crop Planning Guide. The guide is available online. Printed versions were to be available at the Crop Production Show this week in Saskatoon and can also be picked up at regional Saskatchewan Agriculture offices. It uses […] Read more
Most cropping options fail to cover total costs
Manitoba Agriculture has released its 2025 cost of production analysis for crops, and as one would expect, the picture isn’t rosy. Saskatchewan Agriculture is expected to release its 2025 Crop Planning Guide shortly, and it will similarly show limited profit potential. In the Manitoba analysis, all 16 crops show a return over operating costs, but […] Read more
Practical solutions required for sustainability
We need practical solutions in the quest for more sustainable crop production systems. Many of the methods being promoted aren’t a good fit for Western Canada. Cover crops are a prime example. This typically involves establishing another crop after harvest to keep roots growing in the soil until freeze-up. If you’re a potato farmer in […] Read more
