The Canaryseed Development Commission of Saskatchewan says growers need to take “extra care” when marketing their grain to Naber Specialty Grains Ltd. The Melfort, Sask., company was in arrears submitting check-off levies it has collected from growers to the commission. The commission issued a news release March 30 saying it has also received reports from […] Read more
Sean Pratt
Stories by Sean Pratt
Small Alta. lentil crop puzzles officials
It remains a mystery to some in the pulse industry why lentil production seems to stop at the Saskatchewan-Alberta border. “That’s an enigma. I’ve asked the same question,” said Neil Whatley, crop specialist with Alberta Agriculture. Lentils are primarily grown in Sask-atchewan’s brown and dark brown soil zones. Those same soil zones also extend across […] Read more
Provinces review climate change biofuel policies
Manitoba, Quebec and Ontario may review rules on carbon pricing and greenhouse gas reductions
Some provinces are in the midst of devising new energy and climate change policies that will have implications for farmers. Fuel and fertilizer costs could go up if provincial governments decide to put a price on carbon, but there will also be opportunities in the form of carbon offsets and biofuel production. The Western Canada […] Read moreBroadacre debt tally grows
The list of creditors in the Broadacre Agriculture bankruptcy protection case continues to grow. There are now 105 claims for a total of $78.6 million, up from the original total of $46 million, according to the third report from the monitor, PricewaterhouseCoopers. “The monitor and its counsel are continuing to work with Broadacre and certain […] Read more
Canaryseed farmers warned about Sask. company
The Canaryseed Development Commission of Saskatchewan says growers need to take “extra care” when marketing their grain to Naber Specialty Grains Ltd. The Melfort, Sask., company is in arrears submitting check-off levies it has collected from growers to the commission. The commission issued a news release March 30 saying it has also received reports from […] Read more
Higher output may push down nitrogen
New plants in North America coming online, may cause an oversupply
Nitrogen fertilizer prices are heading lower and will remain depressed for years to come, says a fertilizer analyst. “Demand for imports is falling while availability of exports is rising,” said Neil Fleishman, director of research with Green Markets, a fertilizer analytical publication. “It’s that import-export imbalance that we see as a driver to push prices […] Read moreRotations best ammo in pulse disease war
Peas, lentils and some alfalfa crops are susceptible to a root rot for which there is no treatment
Extending rotations is still the best way to combat a virulent root rot disease that is taking its toll on pea and lentil crops, says a pulse crop expert. Sabine Banniza, a pathologist with the University of Saskatchewan’s Crop Development Centre, said there are no effective seed treatments or fungicides for dealing with aphanomyces. Growers […] Read moreCrops improve in Russia, Ukraine
There has been a turnaround in the fortunes of Russia’s winter grain crops, but lingering problems continue, says a grain analyst. “Earlier in the season it looked like a major weather related story for Russia,” said Neil Townsend, director of CWB Market Research. “There still may be a story, but it’s not as big of […] Read more
Squeeze on supply gets China to buy
Carryout is expected to shrink, supporting prices
Canola price prospects look good with China back in the market and a tight carryout forecast for 2015-16, says a grain analyst. However, basis levels will do most of the heavy lifting because a huge South American soybean crop and prospects for another big crop in the United States will cap futures prices. “Put the […] Read morePM takes heat over transportation system chaos
Stephen Harper heard complaints from SARM delegates on poor service and favourtism
It might be time to put away the stick and pull out the carrot in an effort to get better rail service, says Saskatchewan’s agriculture minister. “There needs to be motivation for the railways to operate without government having to tell them how many cars they have to deliver every week,” said Lyle Stewart. That […] Read more
