Manitoba outlook | Despite poor start to season, growers are seeing average yields
Even though germination was poor last fall and cold, snowy weather continued into April this spring, Manitoba winter wheat growers are pleased with yields. Combining began in the second week of August in the eastern half of the province, particularly in the areas between Portage la Prairie and Winnipeg. Growers in that region and in […] Read moreNews
Crop Report
Alberta Crop conditions are generally good to excellent in most areas. Harvest is underway and expected to be in full progress soon. Heavy rain, cooler weather and hail storms have delayed haying operations in some areas and affected quality. However, overall hay quality is good to excellent. Sub-surface moisture conditions have greatly improved and are […] Read more
Cargill CFO says acquisitions will depend on fit, not finance
CHICAGO, Ill. (Reuters) — Rising interest rates will have little to no effect on Cargill acquisitions in the coming year as the multinational agribusiness company builds its network of supplies and customers in the global food system, Cargill chief financial officer Marcel Smits said. “Our view of the world is that very low interest rates […] Read more
U.S. farmland up
(Reuters) — Irrigated farmland prices in the central U.S. surged more than 25 percent over the past 12 months despite lower farm income. Prices paid for irrigated cropland in Kansas, Nebraska, Missouri and Oklahoma jumped 25.2 percent from a year ago, said a report by the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City. Non-irrigated cropland rose […] Read more
North Dakota slaughter plant shut
Ron Frederick knew something was amiss when he visited the Northern Beef Packers plant in Aberdeen, South Dakota, this summer. Even though the $110 million facility opened last fall, plant employees weren’t slaughtering cattle when Frederick, the South Dakota Beef Industry Council executive director, toured the plant in late June. “They processed cattle the day […] Read more
Retest not possible after blood of Stampede’s disqualified steer destroyed
A blood sample taken from the winning steer at the Calgary Stampede has been destroyed before it could be retested, said one of its owners. Royden Anderson said a letter from the Calgary Stampede lawyers said the sample was disposed of. “We were going to send the sample to be retested,” said Anderson. The Calgary […] Read more
Canola has Manitoba growers hopeful
Yield potential looks good | Heat is still needed to bring the crops to maturity
With growers swathing the earliest seeded canola fields in Manitoba, growers and agronomists say this year’s crop should out yield the disappointing crop of 2012. Thick fields of canola, loaded with pods, are visible across the province and in certain fields the canola is lodging because the crop is extremely heavy. “Across Manitoba, for the […] Read moreDairy tackles its most pressing questions
Why is milk so expensive? Why are dairy cows so skinny? Ask and you shall be answered, says Alberta Milk. The industry group launched a website feature Aug. 13 called Ask a Dairy Farmer. Conrad Van Hierden, a dairy farmer from Fort Macleod, Alta., likes the idea of using social media more extensively to answer […] Read more
Bacterial disease spreads to Alberta
A corn disease common in the U.S. Midwest and more recently in Manitoba has made its appearance in Alberta. Goss’s wilt is a bacterial disease that can kill corn by clogging its vascular tissues, causing wilting and premature death. “It was found in Manitoba in 2009 and has become quite extensive there,” said Alberta Agriculture […] Read more
Growing operations can demand new, diverse solutions
Feed management | Three-in-one feeder is designed for cattle, sheep and goats
Marlin and Myrna Huber of Coronation, Alta., attracted attention with a new product at the Grasslands Sheep Exhibition Show and Sale held recently in Drake, Sask. Their three-in-one feeder, designed for cattle, sheep and goats, had a buyer even before it was unloaded from the trailer. Rolly Bateman of Pilger, Sask., liked its self-feeder aspects […] Read more
