Crop Management
Market euphoria last week over European leaders agreeing on a debt fighting package shifted back to worries early this week as traders watch to see if plans can be turned into reality. Europe hopes China, North America, other countries in Asia and fast developing regions will invest in the debt stability fund, but it will […] Read more
Crop Management
EU debt biggest market mover
Barley industry hopes to see acreage increase
The elimination of single desk marketing should increase barley acreage in Western Canada, says the Malting Industry Association of Canada. President Phil de Kemp said proposed changes to the Canadian Wheat Board will allow malting companies to offer definitive price signals, something producers need when making annual cropping decisions. “The industry is going to be […] Read more
Alta. maltster expands
Rahr Malting plans to spend more than $6 million to expand barley storage capacity at its malting plant in Alix, Alta. Bob Sutton, vice-president of sales and logistics, said the expansion will include the construction of three 9,000 tonne storage bins. Construction will begin immediately and should be complete by next summer. The bins will […] Read more
House of Commons committee gets grain industry wish list
Research and trade were front and centre when the House of Commons finance committee touched down in Saskatoon last week. The committee is touring the country as it gathers public input on what should be in next year’s federal budget. Crop Life Canada and Grain Growers of Canada were two of the groups to appear […] Read more
Customer opinion mixed on CWB change
Canadian wheat buyers are expressing feelings that range from neglect and confusion to relief and anticipation in the wake of legislation intended to pave the way for an open market for wheat and barley. Some say they have been left in the dark throughout the process. “This has all been about farmers. I don’t think […] Read more
Sampling vital to ensuring soil fertility
Good crops in the past two years have depleted soil fertility levels, and it’s beginning to show up in early soil samples. Blaine Welsh of the Agro Guys in Galahad, Alta., said only two of the seven soil samples sitting on his desk have more than 10 pounds of available nitrogen in the soil. “The […] Read more
Alberta soil tester combats clubroot
The discovery of clubroot in eastern Alberta has prompted a young entrepreneur to invent a cleaning system for her truck-mounted soil sampler. Sheena McKelvie attached sprayer nozzles to the wheel wells of her truck that spray a 12 percent bleach solution on the tires. She turns on the sprayers by activating a switch in the […] Read more
Program weighs rewards and risks
CANDO, Sask. — Jim Cook has become a believer in investing in intensive agronomic strategies. As he combined his wheat Sept. 13, Cook was noticeably pleased with what he was seeing in his field. He didn’t need a weigh wagon to tell him that the crop had a significant yield increase. The Cando farmer averaged […] Read more
It’s not easy being green when choosing how to renovate
Renovating is part of the human condition. Whether it was adding branches to the temporary hut, putting more thatch on the roof or enlarging our one-room soddy, we have been renovating ever since we developed shelter. Environmentally conscious construction often focuses on new buildings, but maintaining and renovating an existing building can be more green […] Read more
Pundits speak: what happens next?
The Canadian Wheat Board and supporters of its monopoly say the entire Winnipeg and Canadian grain trade would likely be gobbled up by foreign companies if the CWB goes. Many players in the Canadian grain industry think the board is vastly overrating its importance. But most agree that within a couple years after the end […] Read more
