Crop prices fall on worries about economic slowdown

Crop prices fell again on Tuesday as investors worried unrest in oil-rich countries causing high oil prices could derail global economic growth. Oilseeds were also pressured by expectations of a bumper crop in Brazil and a better than expected crop in Argentina. Also, oilseeds were under pressure because traders believe the U.S. Department will increase […] Read more

Soaring crude pressures crop prices lower

Worries on Monday that surging crude oil prices will slow the global economy pressured crop prices lower, including canola. The increase in violence in Libya’s revolution had traders on edge and equity markets also fell. Early in the day, May canola broke through $600 per tonne, supported by strong palm oil prices overnight that were […] Read more

Swine board to issue health bulletins

Bulletins alerting Canada’s hog producers to various hog disease risks are now being distributed by the Canadian Swine Health Board.The first in the series, which was announced March 4, deals with vesicular diseases, several of which have identical symptoms in hogs. Blisters caused by these viruses can be a sign of foot-and-mouth disease.“Keeping the industry […] Read more


Export talk and seeding concerns lift canola market

Canola climbed slightly higher on Friday and the March contract posted an $18.60 per tonne gain from the previous week’s close. The market is caught between forecasts for big seeded acreage gains and the outlook for a muddy seeding season that will frustrate farmers’ efforts. Canola prices climbed today on unconfirmed reports of new export […] Read more

Alberta dairy cow confirmed with BSE

A six-year-old dairy cow from Alberta has been confirmed with BSE, the country’s 18 case of the fatal brain wasting disease. It’s the first confirmed case of BSE in Canada in almost a year and was confirmed Feb. 18 through the country’s national BSE surveillance system. Officials with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency said the […] Read more


Commodity Classic update

TAMPA BAY, Fla. – The following is a collection of news tidbits from the Commodity Classic, an annual gathering of U.S. corn, soybean, wheat and sorghum growers. This year’s convention drew 4,743 people. Look for more detailed stories on these subjects in upcoming issues of The Western Producer. Winter wheat crop damaged There is little […] Read more

Domtar sells Sask. pulp mill

The shuttered Prince Albert Pulp Mill, once considered by Iogen for an ethanol plant, has been sold. Paper Excellence has purchased the building from Domtar and will convert it to produce dissolving pulp used in a variety of products, such as rayon. The company intends to invest more than $200 million in the conversion, which […] Read more

Calgary Bull Sale results

Once again Belvin Angus of Innisfail, Alta. had the grand champion bull at the 111th Calgary Bull Sale. Bred and owned by Colton Hamilton, a partner in the family operation, the winning bull sold for $14,000 to Alta Genetics. This is the seventh time the family has won the honour since 2003. The reserve grand […] Read more


Judge yet to rule whether ag review board should hear complaint

A Queen’s Bench judge has reserved decision in a case argued March 3 in Regina about whether the provincial Agricultural Operations Review Board should hear a complaint. RJ Farms, of Fairlight, Sask., wants the board to deal with a situation it deems hazardous to its bison operation. Teresa and Jo Walker have an adjacent sheep […] Read more

Judge reserves decision on Agricultural Operations Review Board

A Queen’s Bench judge has reserved decision in a case argued March 3 in Regina about whether the provincial Agricultural Operations Review Board should hear a complaint.RJ Farms, of Fairlight, Sask., wants the board to deal with a situation it deems hazardous to its bison operation.Teresa and Jo Walker have an adjacent sheep operation, and […] Read more