The long, wet harvest of 2018 has probably spelled the end for most hopes that barley still in fields will meet malting specifications. “I really suspect that anything left in the field now, any barley now, will not be malting quality,” said Jeff Nielsen, a farmer near Olds, Alta., and a director of the Alberta […] Read more
Stories by Terry Fries
Hog producers continue struggle; FCC loan assistance helpful
Hog prices might have regained some value in recent days, but many producers are still a long way from profitability, said George Matheson, chair of Manitoba Pork. That’s why lenders like Farm Credit Canada, that show they understand the needs of producers who are dependent on commodity markets, are appreciated, he said. “It’s good to […] Read more
Grain industry wants limits on commission’s role
The Canadian Grain Commission decision to keep surplus service fees rather than offer refunds or fee reductions is renewing calls for the agency to be restructured. Wade Sobkowich, executive director of the Western Grain Elevator Association, said he’d like to see the CGC’s grain inspection role limited to that of a regulatory agency certifying third […] Read more
Manitoba corn appears headed for lower yields
Manitoba’s corn crop harvest is getting underway earlier than expected, which could point to potential yield problems. While it’s too early to provide firm yield estimates, Morgan Cott, field agronomist for the Manitoba Corn Growers Association, said some high moisture corn was already harvested in mid-September, and regular grain corn harvest got underway last week. […] Read more
Sunflowers look good overall, bumper crops for some
Luc Remillard expects to be one happy farmer next week. He’s expecting to get into sunflower fields on land he farms with his father in Manitoba’s southern Red River Valley. “It’s right up there with any bumper crop that we’ve had the valley here,” he said. Remillard, who farms near St. Joseph, Man., and also […] Read more
Alarm sounded over Churchill deal
Western Grain Elevators Association says government help for port and its rail line must not support unfair competition
The Western Grain Elevator Association wants assurances that any government incentives used to upgrade the rail line to Churchill, Man., and the port there are not used to support competing businesses. Executive director Wade Sobkowich said the organization’s members are concerned that their competitors could get a leg up if improper federal subsidies are provided. […] Read more
More chickpeas expected as crop bucks trend
Saskatchewan growers are expected to harvest about 221,000 tonnes of chickpeas this year, up from 95,600 in 2017
Saskatchewan farmers are expected to turn in a smaller pulse harvest this fall, although chickpea production is bucking the overall downward trend. Chickpeas are the only Saskatchewan pulse crop to post a production increase in Statistics Canada’s latest estimate of 2018 production. The estimates show Saskatchewan growers are expected to harvest about 221,000 tonnes of […] Read more
Alta. feedlots prepared to cope with feed issues
However, it’s a different story for cow-calf producers, who may need to reduce their herds due to thin feed supplies
Many regions of the Prairies expect some feed shortages this year, but Alberta feedlots have plans to deal with those issues. Bryan Walton, chief executive officer of the Alberta Cattle Feeders’ Association, said overall conditions appear decent, although producers in drier areas have silaged barley rather than wait for harvest because of lighter crops. Northern […] Read more
Churchill assistance must not support unfair competition: WGEA
The Western Grain Elevator Association (WGEA) wants assurances that any government incentives used to upgrade the rail line to Churchill, Man., and the port there are not used to support competing businesses. Wade Sobkowich, executive director of the WGEA, said the organization’s members of major grain-handling companies are concerned that their competitors could get a […] Read more
First widespread frost hits: northwestern Manitoba one of worst-hit areas
Farmers in Saskatchewan and Manitoba are waiting nervously for damage reports from Tuesday night’s frost. In Manitoba, fields between Riding Mountain National Park and Duck Mountain Provincial Park were hit with sustained frosts. “There are a few areas where they had a long duration of a light frost and that’s as bad as a short […] Read more
