Farmers wanting to know what the weather will be like this spring and summer should reflect back on 1960, 1978 and 1996, says a weather expert. Drew Lerner, president of World Weather Inc., said the 18 year cycle will have the biggest influence on weather patterns in 2014 – watch the WP video here. “I’m […] Read more
News
Levies could be combined, says outgoing chair
A Saskatchewan farm leader says it is time for farm groups to consider how they can work together to reduce the growing levy load. “We know all the talk that’s out there about how commissions have to get together and do more things together and share resources,” Joan Heath said in her final speech as […] Read more
Cabbage seedpod weevil on the move
Canola pest | 2013 saw an expansion of the pest north of the South Saskatchewan River
Some insect pests are projected to be on the decline this growing season, but others need to be closely monitored, said an insect control specialist. It’s reasonably good news overall, said Scott Hartley of Saskatchewan Agriculture. “Cabbage seedpod weevil is one that is becoming a real up and coming pest in the province,” he said […] Read moreRussia unfazed by low stocks
MOSCOW, Russia (Reuters) — Russian agriculture minister Nikolay Fyodorov played down concerns about low state grain stocks, which could leave the government with little ability to sway domestic grain prices in the event of a harvest failure next year. Russia uses its state grain stocks to boost the supply on the domestic market in years […] Read more
Contact money lenders about low sales, cash flow, says APAS
Slow grain movement that is affecting farm cash flows has prompted a call for greater flexibility among agricultural lenders. Last week, the Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan called on agricultural lenders to allow farmers extra time to meet their debt obligations. APAS president Norm Hall said the current grain transportation backlog has slowed grain deliveries […] Read more
Former Yara executives face bribery charges
OSLO (Reuters) — Norwegian police have indicted four former executives of fertilizer maker Yara with paying $8 million in bribes in Libya and India. Police said that Yara executives, including its former chief executive officer and top legal counsel, bribed officials, including the family of former Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi’s oil minister and the family […] Read more
Viterra agrees to fund wheat breeding
Crop Development Centre | Other donors are Bayer CropScience, Dow AgroScience and FP Genetics
The University of Saskatchewan’s Crop Development Centre has signed another plant breeding partnership agreement with a private sector company. The CDC announced Jan. 16 that it has reached a $5 million agreement with Viterra aimed at developing new wheat and durum varieties with enhanced yield potential, better end-use quality characteristics and improved resistance to disease […] Read moreBlack Sea grain unhurt by warm winter
world briefs Markets MOSCOW/KIEV, Russia (Reuters) — Abnormally warm winter has not affected winter grain plantings in Russia and Ukraine so far, while snowfall in parts of Russia is expected to ease risks for the 2014 crop. Russia and Ukraine, the two main Black Sea grain exporters with customers in North Africa and the Middle […] Read more
Canaryseed supply not so bad: processor
StatsCan forecast questioned | More planted acres than first projected are said to be main reason for estimate disparity
Canaryseed isn’t as hard to come by as Statistics Canada suggests, says a processor of the crop. “There is sufficient supply,” Elyce Simpson of Simpson Seeds Inc. told the canaryseed portion of Crop Production Week 2014. “It is not in a shortage as originally thought.” Statistics Canada was forecasting 75,000 tonnes of production last summer, […] Read moreAntibiotic user fee proposed to curb use, prevent resistance
A University of Calgary economist is calling for user fees for antibiotic use in livestock. Aidan Hollis, who studies pharmaceutical markets, believes an additional fee on all antibiotic use in livestock would deter low-level uses of antibiotics, reduce the spread of antimicrobial resistance and generate funds to encourage the development of new drugs. Specifically, the […] Read more
