Contracts called “one sided” and had inconsistent application of shortfall arrangements, compensation and penalties
A survey of Saskatchewan farmers has found that many producers are frustrated with grain companies and grain contracts. When there is a shortfall or a dispute over a contract, many farmers believe the financial penalties are wildly inconsistent and not transparent. The Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan (APAS) surveyed farmers about grain contracts from late […] Read moreTag Archives Drytimes — page 5
Canola oil content lowest since 2003
Grain Commission reports some samples at 33 percent oil, summer heat wave may have been contributing factor
The 2021 canola crop has the lowest oil content in nearly two decades, says the Canadian Grain Commission. The average oil content, from more than 2,000 canola samples collected by the commission, is around 42 percent. That’s well below the 10-year average of 44.4 percent and the lowest level since 2003. “Some of the samples […] Read more
Last season’s drought could cause unpredictable soil N
Western Canadian crop rotations are being thrown off by residual fertilizer left from crops that never were
A good portion of the plant nutrients applied last spring still sits in prairie soils. Some agronomists have even found granular pellets of fertilizer still intact when taking soil tests this fall. In most areas, there was enough moisture to dissolve fertilizer applied in the spring. However, drought conditions prevented crops from using these inputs […] Read more
Sask. deficit report ignites word exchange
The Saskatchewan government and Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan are at odds over how the province’s mid-year deficit forecast is being portrayed. Earlier this week, finance minister Donna Harpauer said the drought and historic crop insurance payments pushed the expected deficit from $2.6 billion to $2.7 billion. “The most significant increase over budget at mid-year […] Read more
Prairies canola crop pegged at 12.6 million tonnes
A Manitoba oilseed expert has pegged prairie canola production at 12.6 million tonnes. If that’s correct, it would be the lowest tonnage since 2010 and a 36-37 percent reduction from 2020, when Canada produced 19.5 million tonnes of canola. Dane Froese, oilseed specialist with Manitoba Agriculture, presented production estimates for the 2021 crop during a […] Read more
AgriStability can help ease contract buyout pain
If you were short of crop production to fill one or more contracts and if you’re also enrolled in AgriStability, it’s important to pay attention to how you deal with the contract shortfall so that it’s an eligible AgriStability expense. My thanks to an astute producer who tracks financial numbers closely for drawing this to […] Read more
Donated hay from the East continues to move to the Prairies
The Canadian Federation of Agriculture and Mennonite Disaster Service both operate Hay West programs in response to this year’s drought
Two Hay West programs — from the Canadian Federation of Agriculture and Mennonite Disaster Service — continue to deliver much-needed feed to drought-stricken producers. The programs deliver hay from Eastern Canada to help western ranchers hit hard by a vicious drought. Keith Currie, CFA vice-president, said the CFA Hay West program has received donations of […] Read more
NFU and Wheat Growers want changes to contracts
The National Farmers Union and the Western Canadian Wheat Growers Association don’t agree on much. But the two groups do agree on one thing; grain production contracts need to be fixed. “We had a lawyer look into these contracts, as an organization,” said Kenton Possberg, a wheat growers director in Saskatchewan. “What he came back […] Read more
Grain contracts leave farmers paying to produce
ARBORG, Man. — For the third time in about an hour, Dave Shott got up from his kitchen table and walked to a patio door to light a cigarette. During his short trips from the table to the open door, Shott continued to tell the story of how and why Viterra sent him a bill […] Read more
Packers winning fall-run race
The pricing impact of this year’s drought on Canada’s ranchers is starting to be felt as western Canadian cattle begin their journey off the range and into the markets. For Alberta Beef Producer chair Melanie Wowk, this year’s fall run will see more cows heading to market than usual due to the drought. “I can […] Read more
