Cow-calf optimism | Hog producers might have difficulty adapting
Big crops and big prices could equal record profits for many prairie farmers this year. Grains, pulse and oilseeds farmers have only to keep their fingers crossed that weather, bugs and other crop-affecting factors remain reasonable. But the situation is more complicated for cow-calf and hog producers. Will high prices for feedgrains drive down calf […] Read moreNews
High prices affect all sectors
Canola closes up slightly, market volatility remains
The week ended with canola and the other crop commodities continuing to draw their gruesome sawtooth smiles across the throat of the recent rally, not revealing which way the head will fall when it settles on a direction: up or down. Friday saw an upslash of higher prices through the day, with Winnipeg ICE canola […] Read more
Winter wheat research gets boost
Development of new winter wheat varieties may be speeded up with the purchase of new molecular marker screening equipment. The new equipment bought with the financial assistance of Ducks Unlimited Canada and Bayer CropScience should help scientists at Agriculture Canada’s Lethbridge Research Centre identify the desired genes and traits before the plant is mature. The […] Read more
West to become significant corn, soybean producer
GEORGETOWN, Ont. — The northwest migration of North America’s leading grain and oilseed crops will continue unabated, according to a top seed company. “There’s a huge opportunity for corn and soybeans in Western Canada that we’re really extremely well positioned to exploit,” said DuPont Pioneer president Ian Grant. Breeding advancements have allowed corn and soybean […] Read more
Mysterious blackleg affecting Manitoba fields
Two Manitoba canola fields have been destroyed by what is likely a resistant race of blackleg. Earlier this month, Manitoba Agriculture staff detected blackleg on the stems of canola plants on two fields. However, oilseed and plant disease specialists with the government aren’t disclosing the location of those fields or the canola variety that is […] Read more
Rains come too little, too late
U.S. corn, soybean crops suffer in drought | Late rain may help salvage some yields, say growers
GREENFIELD, Indiana — It rained last week at Joe and Pat Mohr’s place, one of the few times this season. The shower hit hard, dumping on the couple’s parched fields for less than an hour. “Maybe it’ll help the soybeans. Maybe it’ll just bring on the weeds because there’s not a canopy,” said the Greenfield, […] Read moreAg ministry official confirms farm support cuts
TORONTO — For the first time, a senior Agriculture Canada official has confirmed to farm leaders that the five-year agriculture policy taking effect next year will feature deep farm support cuts. According to provincial sources, cuts could reduce federal and provincial projected business risk management spending by more than $2 billion over the next five […] Read more
Weekly crop report
Alberta South A severe storm with baseball-sized hail (YouTube video) pulverized the Cardston area July 26 damaging vehicles, buildings and crops. The extent of the storm is still being assessed. All crops are in exceptional condition but some lodging is reported in cereals due to plenty of moisture and better than average growing conditions. Most […] Read more
Ottawa offers money for Peace region trials
Research funding of $520,000 for crop trials in British Columbia’s Peace River region has been announced by the federal agriculture department. Climate shifts and volatile weather patterns could expand the province’s crop production region, and this funding will support research trials into new crops and varieties for the next two years. Those crops include lentils, […] Read more
Researchers tackle tricky question of when to reseed canola
INDIAN HEAD, Sask. — Many producers have been stuck in situations that have left them wondering whether it’s worthwile to reseed their canola. Researchers in Saskatchewan are examining that question. The early returns on the project indicate growers might be able to salvage respectable yields from fields with lower plant populations without reseeding, said Chris […] Read more
