Farmers are usually thrilled by news of surging commodity prices, but not when it is a commodity that works against them. Ocean freight rates are once again on the rise. They haven’t hit the highs of 2004, but they are almost double what they were the last time farmers harvested a crop. The Baltic Dry […] Read more
News
High ocean freight rates could harm grain exports
Producers angry over compensation for failed dealer
Farmers who lost thousands of dollars when a Manitoba mustard seed dealer was placed in receivership may take legal action against the Canadian Grain Commission unless the federal government fully reimburses them. It has been nearly two years since the demise of Venture Seeds Ltd., a mustard seed dealer from Brunkild, Man., that owed farmers […] Read more
Weyburn terminal had good half
Weyburn Inland Terminal has recorded its most profitable first-half in 10 years. Farmer shareholders will benefit from a semi-annual dividend payment of $1.60 per Class A preferred share and $1 per common share, for a total payout of $964,000. The grain handling company reported last week that it had achieved after-tax earnings of $2.3 million […] Read more
Politicians agree NAFTA no benefit to agriculture
State and provincial political leaders from Canada, Mexico and the United States agreed at a meeting in Alberta last week that existing anti-dumping rules available in the North American Free Trade Agreement are inappropriate for the agriculture sector. They are urging the national governments of the three countries to rewrite the NAFTA rules. “The current […] Read more
River bank fix a huge undertaking
INNISFAIL, Alta. – When Vince and Wanda Lohman received an Alberta Beef Producers’ environmental stewardship award at the end of 2004, they were recognized for nearly 25 years of protecting the Little Red Deer River. They fenced off the river to keep cattle out, piped in water to livestock, removed their dugouts, practised rotational grazing […] Read more
Drought hurts mustard, canaryseed yields
World markets are paying close attention to Saskatchewan’s mustard and canaryseed harvest. Saskatchewan is the dominant player in the global production of both commodities. Yield and quality help determine the price of both crops. And the way things are shaping up, there should be upward pressure on mustard and canaryseed prices because acreage is down […] Read more
Mandatory inspection decision still in limbo
A report on the future of mandatory inspection and weighing of grain hasn’t done much to resolve the contentious issue. The cost-benefit analysis by consultant Meyers Norris Penny has presented the Canadian Grain Commission with seven options for acting, including: Make the service optional except for producer cars. Eliminate service for grains shipped from country […] Read more
Agri-Coaches Corner/Crop Report
MANITOBA Eastern Winter wheat harvest is complete. Spring wheat yields range from 40 to 65 bushels per acre. Barley harvest is near completion with 50 to 90 bu. Canola is being swathed with early crops 30 to 40 bu. Sunflowers and soybeans are still filling. Some flax is being harvested. Some flea beetles reported in […] Read more
KAP wants province to pay for inspectors
The Manitoba government created new guidelines for on-farm fuel storage systems so it should have to foot the bill for inspecting them, says the Keystone Agricultural Producers. Manitoba Conservation introduced rules this year that require fuel storage facilities of 5,000 or more litres to meet new environmental standards. There were concerns that some of these […] Read more
Anthrax may be slowing
New anthrax cases appear to have levelled off, but don’t count on it. Sandra Stevens of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency said herd vaccinations in areas where infections were discovered has likely reduced the number of deaths. “Producers are better informed about the risks and causes and they are managing that risk,” she said. Saskatchewan […] Read more
