Canadian pulse exports to India won’t incur higher fumigation charges. The Asian country had extended its fumigation exemption in late June, saying exports leaving Canada on or before Sept.30 would not require fumigation. However, the June 29 announcement sparked concerns over possible added fees that exporters might incur because it had said pulses that were […] Read more
Stories by Terry Fries
Sask. growers urged to be on lookout for wheat midge
Insect pests in Saskatchewan show little potential to affect yields, but farmers can’t relax yet. Aphids and diamondback moths may yet be swept in on southerly winds in large enough numbers to cause crop damage. “Aphids and diamondback moths, aphids in particular, like any crop, so that’s one we’re just waiting to see if they […] Read more
India extends fumigation deadline — with caveat
India has extended the June 30 deadline on a requirement that all pulse shipments to that country be fumigated with methyl bromide, but it wasn’t quite the good news the Canadian pulse industry had hoped to hear. “India has basically extended the ability for exporters around the world to ship to India without fumigation prior […] Read more
New hail modelling system draws mixed reviews from insurers
A new hail risk modelling system is available for Canadian crop insurers, but providers are divided over its value. AIR Worldwide recently developed the industry’s first probabilistic computer model designed to better assess hail risk in Canada. Ken Doleman, chief executive officer at Palliser Insurance, said the additional data from the AIR model will provide […] Read more
Farmers keen to adopt technology: StatsCan report
June 21 (CNS Canada) – Canadian farmers in most sectors are strong proponents of data-driven technology, according to a report released June 21 by Statistics Canada. The latest release in StatsCan’s 2016 Census of Agriculture showed farmers were particularly keen to jump into new technology if it improved the efficiency of their operations or their […] Read more
Hog prices top expectations but need exports to sustain them
June 20 (CNS Canada) – The recent rally in U.S. hog futures offers hedging opportunities and attractive cash prices, but Tyler Fulton at Hams Marketing tempers optimism for the longer term outlook. The CME July lean hog futures settled at 85.00 cents per pound on June 20, marking the highest point for the front month […] Read more
Ag census shows more young farmers than ever in B.C.
The numbers aren’t all rosy for British Columbia, which saw a drop in the number of farms since 2011
SUMMERLAND, B.C. — For the first time in two decades, British Columbia is seeing an increase in the proportion of young farmers setting up shop in the province. The 2016 census of agriculture, released last month, shows that in the period since the last census in 2011, farmers in the youngest age group of 35 […] Read moreEnlist corn market widens as China grants approval
June 14 (CNS Canada) – China’s decision to allow imports of Enlist corn will provide a new option for Canadian corn growers. “I guess the big thing is that farmers are usually receptive to technology that will help them on their farms,” said Myron Krahn, president of the Manitoba Corn Growers Association. “It’s another tool […] Read more
Radio waves make egg pasteurization faster, less expensive
Scientists have developed a new procedure to pasteurize eggs that could reduce illnesses caused by salmonella bacteria. David Geveke at the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agriculture Research Service has developed a system that uses radio waves to heat eggs without changing the egg whites. Geveke said the system works similar to a standard microwave oven, […] Read more
Mini-drone fitted with sensor to aid crop scouting
Farmers know the value of early field scouting: finding stressed plants early can allow for quick intervention and save yields. The real question often comes down to a matter of cost efficiency: how much to pay up front in the hopes that the investment will pay off later? Crop scouting may have become more affordable […] Read more
