Crop Management
The consensus in the grain industry is that canola moves more efficiently through the marketing pipeline than wheat. However, experts at the recent Fields on Wheels conference in Winnipeg weren’t sure how much more efficient wheat shipments will be without the Canadian Wheat Board marketing monopoly. “I’m not sure that wheat will ever be as […] Read more
Crop Management
Logistics, grading may change post-CWB
Slow cellulose ethanol development problem for U.S. policy
There is an interesting debate playing out in the United States over its ethanol policy. Ethanol is highly political in the U.S., given the subsidies at stake and the impact of the industry on corn prices and economic activity in the Midwest. Canadian farmers might not follow the lobbying and debating points as U.S. ethanol […] Read more
Analysts lower forecast for corn, soybean output
CHICAGO, Ill. (Reuters) — Private analysts have dropped their forecasts for U.S. corn and soybean production, accounting for heat and dry weather this summer. U.S. crop forecaster Lanworth has pegged 2011 U.S. corn production at 12.022 billion bushels and yield at 143.3 bu. per acre. That is significantly below other private forecasts, which peg the […] Read more
Canola cash advance applications available
The Canadian Canola Growers Association is accepting applications for cash advances under the 2011 Post-Harvest Advance Payment Program. The program offers advances of up to $400,000, with the first $100,000 interest-free. This is the first year that the association will accept applications by fax at 204-788-0039, which is expected to shave three to five days […] Read more
Rainfall limits quality of this year’s canola in Manitoba
Chuck Fossay knew canola yields would be down on his farm near Starbuck, Man., after an incredibly wet spring and a blazing hot summer. However, the severity of the yield loss was astounding when he began combining his fields in late August. “Our yields have been very disappointing. As low as six bushels (per acre) […] Read more
Alberta survey predicts 2012 bug levels
If southern and central Alberta farmers see someone standing in their fields later this month, it might be the folks surveying for wheat midge and wheat stem sawfly. Scott Meers, insect management specialist for Alberta Agriculture, said 240 fields will be soil sampled for wheat midge larval cocoons starting in mid-September. Surveyors will also check […] Read more
Nutrition test advised before using old hay
This year’s hay is usually a better bet than last year’s hay when it comes to feed value, but if quantity is short in some parts of the Prairies this year, buyers may see old hay as an option. And sellers with lots of old hay may want to move it out to make room […] Read more
Rain dampens outlook in Germany
HAMBURG, Germany (Reuters) — Rain in Germany may spoil an otherwise positive picture for European Union winter rapeseed seeding after bad weather significantly hurt this year’s crop. “It looks like the problem with German rain threatening EU rapeseed supplies will not end with this year’s terrible German rapeseed crop,” one trader said. “Unless the weather […] Read more
Likelihood of weak La Nina returning is 50-50
GENEVA, Switzerland (Reuters) — La Nina could occur in a weak form this year, says the World Meteorological Organization. The weather phenomenon is typically linked to flooding in the Asia- Pacific region, drought in the U.S. southern plains and a more intense hurricane season over the Atlantic Ocean. A borderline La Nina situation has developed […] Read more
New combines designed for Prairie crops
KANSAS CITY & INDIANAPOLIS — Prairie farmers have more choices now that two major farm machinery makers have introduced new combines. A higher horsepower and more feature-filled combine from John Deere had been on the radar for many years and in development for more than five. The S series’ cab shape, automated grain hopper canopy […] Read more
