Crop yields depend upon a long list of factors. Producers control some of those factors and Mother Nature controls the rest. For years, organic farmers in Western Canada didn’t worry a whole lot about yield and the agronomics within their control. But that low-key, low-input approach is fading away. “I’m really happy that we’ve got […] Read more
Crop Management — page 339
Virus fosters auctions without farmers
Ag implement manufacturers, dealers and prairie farmers are predicting declining sales of new equipment in 2020, meaning that a lot of used iron will be swapping places this year. Agricultural equipment sales across North America is widely expected to be down again this year. As reported in The Western Producer four months ago, two-wheel drive […] Read more
Farm profitability improving through the use of older equipment
The average American farmer has $170,000 tied up in unused used equipment. These implements are too good to scrap and they’re left sitting around in farm yards, losing value every month. That figure comes from BigIron Auctions in Nebraska, and is based on a university study carried out in the United States Midwest several years […] Read more
Aphanomyces fight fed by rotational spread
The best tool to manage aphanomyces root rot is to extend pea and lentil rotations. “We really need to get away from those lentils every two years, peas every three years, even peas every four years. We are seeing improvements of pea yields on fields where they get back to that eight-year, 10-year rotation,” said […] Read more
North America farm suppliers race COVID-19 spread for planting season
WINNIPEG, Manitoba/CHICAGO (Reuters) – North America’s biggest farm suppliers are accelerating shipments of fertilizer, seeds and agricultural chemicals to crop-growing regions in an unprecedented race against the COVID-19 virus that threatens to disrupt planting season. The timing could not be worse for farmers preparing to plant crops. Disruptions in deliveries of fertilizer, seeds or chemicals […] Read more
Feds urged to declare food supply chain essential service
Urgency is growing for the federal government to declare the food supply chain as an essential service during the COVID-19 pandemic, given some have warned the crisis could cause price increases and potential shortages. Alberta Agriculture Minister Devin Dreeshen urged for the declaration today, saying it would help maintain a stable and safe food supply […] Read more
Wheat futures underpinned for now, but watching headlines
Winnipeg,(MarketsFarm) – United States wheat futures have climbed higher over the past week, with the largest gains in Chicago Board of Trade soft wheat, as global uncertainty over the COVID-19 pandemic provided some support. However, that uncertainty could also makes predicting market trends rather difficult, according to an analyst. “All of my comments come with […] Read more
China’s January-February soybean imports from U.S. rise as truce takes effect
BEIJING (Reuters) – China’s soybean imports from the United States in the first two months of the year rose sixfold from the same period last year, customs data showed on Wednesday, as cargoes booked during a trade truce between the countries arrived. China, the world’s top importer of the oilseed, brought in 6.101 million tonnes […] Read more
Risky COVID-19 choices coming, and there’s no dodging them
Our leaders face tough decisions. There are none without severe costs to people or our society
Choices have to be made about how to deal with COVID-19. None of those choices are going to be easy. And nobody’s likely to get it “right.” But our planet’s leaders face an excruciating set of choices on how to cope with the dual risks of disease deaths for humans from coronavirus and permanent damage […] Read more
Lack of willing sellers keeps pulses underpinned
Winnipeg, (MarketsFarm) – Pea and lentil bids in Western Canada are holding relatively steady for the time being, despite anecdotal reports of increased international demand due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with attention soon shifting to spring seeding. A lack of willing sellers is keeping pulse bids underpinned in Western Canada, according to broker Dale McManus, […] Read more
