Crop Management
Implements evolve to become bigger, heavier and more powerful. The downside of that weight is compaction, getting stuck and bigger horsepower demand. Can the trend be reversed toward lighter implements? Matt Hesse says it’s happening. He is a vice-president at Sabanto, a manufacturer of aftermarket autonomous systems for agriculture. Right now, it is focused on […] Read more
Crop Management
Road salt impacts groundwater year-round
To reduce hazardous winter driving conditions, highway departments turn to salt de-icers. Does road salt affect groundwater? If so, is there a lasting impact that can be measured? The Delaware Geological Survey is taking an in-depth look at groundwater quality. Rachel McQuiggan, a researcher at the University of Delaware, is monitoring storm water and groundwater […] Read more
Oats ready to milk future consumer demand
Oat milk takes off as soybean products face allergy concerns and almond production is accused of excessive water use
Oats are entering a world of milk and honey, with consumer demand surging and prospects growing. “It’s a booming market,” said Randy Strychar, North America’s leading oats market analyst, when talking with growers at the CropConnect conference held Feb. 15-16 in Winnipeg. “In my 40 years in the oat market, I’ve never seen these kinds […] Read more
Crop prices to drop but remain high
The United States grain and oilseed price outlook for 2023 is bearish, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. “We expect some price moderation with larger supplies,” USDA economist Andy Sowell told delegates attending the 99th Annual Agricultural Outlook Forum. But prices will likely remain elevated compared to historical levels. The season-average farm corn price […] Read more
Soybean crush margins plummet in wake of EPA ruling
There is plenty of uncertainty in world soybean markets, says an economist. Much of the confusion stems from a Dec. 1 announcement by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The EPA set its proposed renewable volume obligation for biomass-based diesel at 2.82 billion gallons for 2023, rising to 2.95 billion gallons by 2025. The proposal was […] Read more
Market worries about Black Sea grain corridor
Joe Glauber has a good idea what will happen to grain prices if the Black Sea Grain Initiative is not renewed. The former chief economist of the U.S. Department of Agriculture noted that world corn prices increased by six percent and wheat prices rose by three percent when Russia temporarily suspended the agreement in November […] Read more
Little room for compromise in U.S.-Mexico corn dispute – USDA official
ARLINGTON, Va. (Reuters) – Mexico’s plan to limit imports of genetically modified corn is “not a situation that lends itself to a compromise,” U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said on Thursday. The United States said earlier this month that it was “disappointed” in the Mexican government’s latest decree to ban the corn for human consumption. […] Read more
Canola drives up Sask. exports to Mexico
Saskatchewan’s annual exports to Mexico have exceeded $1 billion for the first time. Trade surpassed $1.02 billion in 2022, thanks to increased sales of canola oil, canola seed and non-durum wheat, the province said in Feb. 23 news release. Canola seed made up nearly 55 percent of total exports to Mexico last year, with a […] Read more
Crop input supply expected to remain tight for near future
Fertilizer demand to remain strong as major food producers focus on hiking yields to make up for falling Ukrainian output
The man who leads the world’s largest supplier of crop nutrients says there’s no quick relief in sight for tight global supplies of nitrogen and potash. During a presentation at the Food, Fuel and Fertilizer Business Summit held in Saskatoon Feb. 14-15, Nutrien president and chief executive officer Ken Seitz said the ongoing military conflict […] Read more
Soy sector hits the road
Soy Canada has completed a marketing mission to Japan, Malaysia and Vietnam, where it shared information about Canadian soybeans and promoted them to potential customers in those countries. The mission was Soy Canada’s first since 2019. They were suspended in early 2020 due to concerns over COVID-19. “There’s nothing like being face-to-face to share and […] Read more
