Crop Management
Canadian farmers are set to harvest what appears to be a vastly improved lentil crop, says one of the world’s largest pulse processors. “It is projected to finish well with a good-sized crop, good quality and some estimated yield gains helping to make up for some of the seeded acreage declines,” Murad Al-Katib, chief executive […] Read more
Crop Management
Lentil crop expected to finish well
Analysts say commodities can survive financial crisis
Can the bull market in crop prices resume? Even with severe tremors shaking outside markets and rattling the nerves of investors, many analysts think last week’s bullish U.S. Department of Agriculture report means the answer is a confident yes. “Amid the current environment of seesawing sentiment, macro-economic unease and gyrating financial markets, the grains markets […] Read more
Bullish USDA report to help prairie crops
Prairie crop prices should stay firmer than normal for the next few weeks because of the bullish U.S. Department of Agriculture report last week, analysts say. But few were calling for a big new leg upward in already-high markets. “I think we’ll still have (at least) $10 canola even in the fall,” said John Duvenaud, […] Read more
What makes Billy tick?
BRANDON — What goes on in the mind of a 13-year-old farm kid who buys his own combine — with cash? “I pretty well knew by the time I was nine or 10 (years old) that I wanted my own 8820,” said Billy Prince, now 17, of Deloraine, Man. “When I was six or seven, […] Read more
Millers learn how to cope with early sprouting
RED DEER — Grain that sprouts in the field before harvest creates a domino effect. It’s downgraded, farmers receive less money and bakers have to make adjustments so bread can rise. Resistance to pre-harvest sprouting is usually assumed with new varieties, but even the best can sprout when weather conditions are right. “The weather conditions […] Read more
Agco released three new 9500 series combines
KANSAS CITY, Missouri — Agco has released three new 9500 series combines sharing an 8.4 litre engine, ranging from 344 to 502 horsepower. The two larger models, the Massey Ferguson 9540 and 9560, have incorporated a V-format radiator, turbo intercooler and hydraulic cooling layout positioned below a hydraulically driven variable speed fan that manages system […] Read more
Western Producer Crop Report – for Aug. 11, 2011
MANITOBA SOUTHWEST Good quality hay Scattered showers, a day of grey skies and patches of rain gave crops a boost. Most cereals are heading and the earliest crops are starting to turn. Some fusarium has appeared, but no other major disease problems are noted. Canola is ending the bloom except for the last-planted crops. Peas […] Read more
Wet fields give rise to heavy weed flush
VEGREVILLE, Alta. — Terry Eleniak has worked for Lamont County for more than 20 years and has never seen so many weeds. “There’s been an explosion of weeds,” said the agricultural field-man for the county. Continuous rain through the spring and summer has created ideal conditions for new and dormant weed seeds to germinate and […] Read more
Litter is good when under the grass
STRATHMORE, Alta. — When Charley Orchard clears away the litter from a patch of grass and sees the layer of litter in Rod Vergouwen’s pasture, he knows new soil is being built. After 10 years of intensive grazing management, Vergouwen has created pastures with knee high grass that ripples in the wind on his farm […] Read more
Farmers welcome flood package
Dale Mainil farms 17,000 acres near Weyburn, Sask., – in the heart of some of the worst flooding seen this year. “I’m not one to ask for handouts or anything, I don’t think any producer wants to operate that way. But this is a one-in-100 year event and I guess tough times call for measures […] Read more
