All farmers want a high-yielding canola crop. However, it should be the last thing they worry about when choosing a canola variety. “Ignore the yield,” Angela Brackenreed, an agronomy specialist for Manitoba with the Canola Council of Canada, recently told Manitoba Ag Days. “If you’re looking at an Excel spread-sheet or something like that, cover […] Read more
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Don’t give top priority to canola yield: expert
Neonicotinoids jeopardize Manitoba buckwheat exports
Residue limits exceeded Japanese inspectors reject containers because of the presence of insecticidal seed treatment
Manitoba buckwheat processors are feeling anxious about exports after Japanese inspectors rejected a shipment of buckwheat for neonicotinoid contamination. Rejean Picard, a Manitoba Agriculture farm production adviser and buckwheat expert, said Japan re-fused two containers of buckwheat grown in Manitoba. The buckwheat exceeded Japan’s maximum residue limit (MRL) for thiamethoxam, an insecticidal seed treatment. Thiamethoxam, […] Read moreAlberta, Sask. forage, livestock sectors get funding
Federal funding for Canadian pork marketing | Federal and provincial funds also announced for 27 research projects in Saskatchewan
The federal government was busy making funding announcements last week pertaining to livestock and forage production and marketing. At the Banff Pork Seminar, agriculture minister Gerry Ritz’s announcement of $15 million to support pork marketing initiatives at home and abroad was received positively by industry officials, whose attention didn’t drift from major issues of trade […] Read moreCanadian breeders find buyers in Denver
Hereford sales | Canadians make the long trip to Western Stock Show to capitalize on lucrative American market
DENVER, Colo. — For two longtime Hereford breeders, the National Western Stock Show in Denver is the place to be if they want to trade cattle. Hills Galore Stock Farm at Hazlet, Sask., has been in the Hereford business for 54 years. Owner Alvin Pawlitza had travelled to Denver since 1997 until the BSE crisis […] Read moreMan. rupture disables barns
A natural gas pipeline explosion south of Winnipeg Jan. 25 disrupted service to Fred Fast’s hog barns, but he and his staff rigged up portable heaters and diesel generators to keep weanlings warm and prevent waterlines from freezing. Fast, who manages and is a partner in a couple of hog operations near Marchand, Man., said […] Read more
Grain handling system studied
Transportation analysis | $3.2 million will fund a study to examine rail capacity
Farmers frustrated by their inability to reliably move grain to market are taking another look at logistical problems affecting Canada’s grain handling and transportation system. Canola, wheat, pulse and soy growers, as well as industry groups involved in the grain, oilseed, pulse and special crops trade, announced last week that they will spend $3.2 million […] Read moreWheat growers advised to look south for best price
Rail service hurts price | Manitoba farmer gets $1.06 more per bushel
Farmers should be exploring opportunities to ship their wheat to the United States, says a Manitoba farm leader. Doug Chorney, president of Keystone Agricultural Producers, sold his entire spring wheat crop last week to a major U.S. grain company for more than $6 per bushel. He said he will net $5.75 per bu. after paying […] Read moreHog industry outlook looked rosy — until PED
Future looked profitable | First confirmed cases of hog disease in Canada threatens optimism
BANFF, Alta. — The first appearance of porcine epidemic diarrhea in Canada comes as economists begin forecasting profits for the industry for the first time in years. Low interest rates, reduced feed costs and a declining Canadian dollar are positive signs for the Canadian hog industry, officials and economists said at the Banff Pork Seminar […] Read moreP&H offer goes to Weyburn terminal shareholders
$94.6 million | Two Weyburn board members against the sale resigned, saying it was a disservice to farmer shareholders
One of Western Canada’s first and largest farmer-owned grain terminals could soon be turned over to a private-sector grain company. Weyburn Inland Terminal an-nounced Jan. 24 that it has agreed to sell all outstanding shares in the company to Parrish & Heimbecker for $94.6 million, or $17.25 per share. Rob Davies, chief executive officer of […] Read moreUnreliable rail service draws attention from investors, foreign buyers
Saskatchewan’s premier says the grain transportation quagmire is causing lost sales in Asia and potentially missed opportunities for international investment in the province. “The situation is increasingly serious,” Brad Wall told reporters during a Jan. 22 scrum at the legislative building in Regina. “There is certainly more and more concern every day in terms of […] Read more
