Commodity prices should continue to limp along in 2020, with no signs of an overall commodity bull market appearing any time soon. While the agricultural commodity markets are harder to predict and face a set of unique situations, most commodities are still caught in the doldrums of the post-commodity-boom world. World economic growth is forecast […] Read more
Markets — page 335
Winter camelina could fill prairie rotation gap
An Agriculture Canada researcher has found a variety from the United States that can tolerate cold winters
Winter wheat acres are in a free fall. In 2015, prairie growers seeded about 680,000 acres of winter wheat. Since then, acres have consistently dropped, hitting 335,000 acres in 2018, based on Statistics Canada data. Much of the decline can be blamed on poor conditions in late summer and early autumn. Soils were perhaps too […] Read moreWP livestock report
Hogs The U.S. national live price average for barrows and gilts was $38.63 per cwt. Dec. 27, up from $36.74 on Dec. 13. U.S. hogs averaged $49.06 on a carcass basis Dec. 27, up from $47.94 Dec. 13. The U.S. pork cutout was $75.04 per cwt. Dec. 27, down from $81.88 Dec. 13. The estimated […] Read more
Canfax report
This cattle market information is selected from the weekly report from Canfax, a division of the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association. More market information, analysis and statistics are available by becoming a Canfax subscriber by calling 403-275-5110 or at www.canfax.ca. Dressed sales up The seasonal leverage-shift from packer to cattle feeder is taking place, as can be […] Read more
WP January 2nd edition will arrive late
Due to unforeseen circumstances the January 2nd issue of The Western Producer will be late arriving. We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience. The January 2, 2020 “Digital Edition” will be available online at its usual time, early Thursday morning, here: https://www.producer.com/digital-edition/
EU and US wheat markets up
Euronext wheat futures rose to a six month high on Friday, tracking a rally in Chicago, as technical momentum and export demand buoyed wheat markets. A sharp rise in the Euro, which reached a two-week high against the dollar, curbed gains on Euronext. March milling wheat, the most active contract on the Paris-based exchange, was […] Read more
Sustainability key to new canola targets
Do you think an average bushel of canola can be produced with 18 percent less fuel and 40 percent less land? Can canola production sequester an extra five million tonnes per year of Canada’s carbon emissions? Can canola production protect rather than harm 2,000 species of beneficial insects? Can 90 percent of canola acres be […] Read more
Succession planning crucial for financial sustainability
Tough decisions and conversations will need to be made, say experts, but it will ensure a smoother transition
Families that are beginning the process of transitioning the farm should follow a number of general rules for it to be financially sustainable, say tax specialists. The key to any succession plan, no matter what stage it’s in, is communication between family members, said Riley Honess, a senior manager in tax with KPMG in Lethbridge. […] Read more
Tile drainage can make land more sustainable
In much of Manitoba, this fall was the season of tractor tire ruts. From late August until the middle of October, about 200 millimetres of rain and snow fell on southern Manitoba and North Dakota. The excess precipitation turned farm fields into soup, and growers struggled to get combines and tractors on the land. Some […] Read more
Prairie growers focus on year-round products
Small-scale producers selling locally grown produce are starting to compete side-by-side with California vegetables on store shelves throughout the cold prairie winters. The Prairies are famous for shipping massive amounts of food and food ingredients around the world, but many prairie residents are used to importing fresh fruits and vegetables to get through winter. Now, […] Read more
