Cattle families honoured The Saskatchewan Livestock Association presented honour scrolls to four farm families at the recent beef industry conference. The scrolls have been presented since 1927 and recognize people for their outstanding contribution to the livestock industry, their communities and the province. This year, Glenn and the late Bev Bender of Neudorf, Tom and […] Read more
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AG Notes
Food importers shift from dry bulk cargo ships to containers
LONDON (Reuters) — Food importers in Asia are switching from dry bulk cargo ships to container vessels, which normally carry goods such as toys and TVs, as they offer a way to import smaller amounts and can be cheaper per tonne. The global transport of agricultural commodities traditionally has taken place on carriers brimming with […] Read more
CF industries inks long-term deals to supply ammonium nitrate
(Reuters) — CF Industries Holdings Inc., the world’s second-largest nitrogen fertilizer producer, said on Thursday that it has agreed to long-term deals to supply ammonium nitrate to customers. The deals come as Deerfield, Illinois-based CF focuses on nitrogen production after agreeing last year to sell its phosphate business to Mosaic Co. for $1.4 billion. CF […] Read more
Survey gathers challenges, costs posed by wildlife
Determining costs could lead to compensation changes
Are elk eating the haystack? Are coyotes poaching lambs? Are bears in the beehives? Farmers and ranchers have frequent contact with wildlife, and not all of it is beneficial. A survey of beef producers aims to discover the true financial impact that wildlife has on ranching operations. It may lead to recommendations for changes in […] Read morePork council outlines plan to help with barn financing
Farmers are going to have trouble finding the money to build new barns, says the Manitoba Pork Council’s general manager. Andrew Dickson said profits are back, but Manitoba’s hog industry is still trying to figure out how to break the financing grip strangling its badly needed recapitalization. “Our production capacity is not being replaced,” Dickson […] Read more
Manitoba officially joins livestock price insurance plan
Correction: The original version of the story noted that sheep producers could participate in the Western Livestock Price Insurance Program. The program is for beef and pork producers, not sheep farmers. Manitoba hog and cattle producers now have an opportunity to participate in a livestock price insurance program starting this spring. Federal agriculture minister Gerry […] Read more
Alberta beet growers post solid production year
Alberta sugar beet growers had a good production year, delivering 668,087 tonnes to the Lantic sugar factory in Taber. Average yield was 27.69 tonnes per acre and average sugar content was 18.53 percent. Optimal harvest weather fostered one of the quickest beet harvests ever, lasting Oct. 1 to 28. Growers planted 24,425 acres of beets, […] Read more
Atamanenko leaves ag committee
New Democrat Alex Atamanenko has decided to step aside after eight years on the House of Commons agriculture committee. The British Columbia MP announced last fall that he wouldn’t run in the next federal election. Consequently, it was time for fresh NDP faces on the ag committee, he said. “In 2015 I will be 70 […] Read more
U.S. farmers likely to plant less corn, more soy In 2014-15: USDA
WASHINGTON (Reuters) — The Department of Agriculture on Thursday said U.S. farmers were likely to plant less corn in the upcoming season, switching land to soybeans and wheat instead, but that normal weather would still result in bumper crops all around. USDA’s Office of the Chief Economist delivered an outlook for much lower corn, wheat […] Read more
Last year’s Sask. flood zone could be hit again
The first spring runoff forecast issued by Saskatchewan’s Water Security Agency suggests residents in areas that flooded last year could be hit again. Above normal runoff is expected in the Saskatoon, North Battleford and Prince Albert regions. Other areas should see near normal runoff. Snowfall has ranged from below average in the southeast to well […] Read more
