Wally Smith discs a field west of Cayley, Alta., to prepare it for next year’s grain crop. Farmers are urged to keep the impacts of this year’s drought in mind as they prepare for 2022. | Mike Sturk photo.

Drought aftermath continues for farmers

The 2021 growing season has ended amid drought that plagued much of the Prairies and experts warn the effects aren’t over yet. The Saskatchewan Wheat Development Commission recently released a document detailing post-drought agronomic considerations. They include soil fertility, herbicide carryover and insects. “Yields were expected to be much higher than they were this year,” […] Read more

The prairie hay shortage is estimated at four million tonnes this year because of drought. | Brian Cross photo

Eastern hay arrives on western Canadian farms

Prairie producers breathe easier as Canadian Federation of Agriculture’s Hay West program begins delivering the goods

Ken Overby is breathing easier. This week, the fifth and final trailer load of round bales was unloaded at his 400-head bison ranch near Inwood, Man. The 190 round bales are part of Hay West 2021, a relief program operated by the Canadian Federation of Agriculture that is working with farmers across Atlantic and Eastern […] Read more

Corn prices are at exceptionally high levels in Manitoba because of local demand. Feed mills in the province need corn to produce rations. They can either buy corn locally, truck it in from the U.S., or replace it with feed wheat or barley. But those feed grains are also expensive. | File photo

Record corn prices expected to offset disappointing yields

Production has been all over the map in Manitoba this year, but local demand is keeping prices around $8 per bushel

Corn yields are below average on many farms in Manitoba, but producers should pocket a decent profit because of record high prices this fall. A number of growers have extremely poor yields of 50 to 70 bushels per acre, and others have reported yields around 100 to 130 bu. per acre. “It’s all over the […] Read more


It’s no surprise November canola futures last week closed at a contract high of about $927 per tonne given an estimated national average yield of only 25.3 bushels and acres, the lowest since 2002 due to drought and heat. | File photo

Canola flies away from its relationship with soybeans

Canola prices have soared this season and have mostly divorced from their usual connections with the soybean complex. It’s no surprise November canola futures last week closed at a contract high of about $927 per tonne given an estimated national average yield of only 25.3 bushels and acres, the lowest since 2002 due to drought […] Read more

Honey production likely fell by 20 to 30 percent in Alberta this year, making it the third consecutive season of lower than average totals in the province. | Alberta Beekeepers Association/Demetrios Giannitsios photo

Drought expected to affect honey production

Bees were forced to find other sources of food this summer, such as weeds, which could change honey’s colour and taste

Heat waves and drought that decimated crops such as canola this summer likely caused honey production to decline by as much as 30 percent in Alberta, says an industry leader. The harsh conditions even affected the appearance of the honey, said Connie Phillips, executive director of the Alberta Beekeepers Commission. Bees were forced to forage […] Read more



Pastures are at a variety of stages and conditions across Western Canada as severe drought was followed by rain. Despite improvements, many pastures are stressed, like this one near Hilton, Man., last week. That is making the supply of grass-fed beef even more challenging.  |  Jeannette Greaves photo

Drought affects supply of grass-fed beef

Short supplies of grass-grown cattle last year have become even tighter as demand rises and grass doesn’t

The impacts of this year’s drought continue to affect all ranchers but the strain on pastures is having a particular effect on grass-fed beef producers. Duane Vaags was having issues sourcing grass-fed beef for his True North Foods packing plant in Carman, Man., last year. The job hasn’t gotten any easier this year for the […] Read more

Because of widespread drought conditions, many growers don't have enough grain to meet delivery obligations and are facing stiff contract penalties. | File photo

APAS surveys farmers facing tough contract obligations

Saskatchewan’s general farm organization has launched an on-line survey asking farmers to share information about financial penalties stemming from unfilled grain contracts. Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan says its survey is aimed at learning more about the financial costs incurred by drought-affected farmers who are unable to meet their contract obligations. Low yields and crop […] Read more


Corn prices are at exceptionally high levels in Manitoba because of local demand. Feed mills in the province need corn to produce rations. They can either buy corn locally, truck it in from the U.S., or replace it with feed wheat or barley. But those feed grains are also expensive. | File photo

Record corn prices offset lower yields

Corn yields are below average on many farms in Manitoba, but producers should pocket a decent profit because of record high prices this fall. A number of growers have extremely poor yields of 50 to 70 bushels per acre, and others have reported yields around 100 to 130 bu. per acre. “It’s all over the […] Read more

Tony Roelofs, trader with Columbia Grain, said fractionation plants and the U.S. pet food industry have been the main drivers of demand. He said the U.S. is going to need to import record volumes of peas from Canada and other markets this year. | File photo

U.S. pulse demand outpacing supply

Voracious demand for pulses in the United States is bumping up against a lackluster supply of peas, lentils and chickpeas this year. Tony Roelofs, trader with Columbia Grain, said fractionation plants and the U.S. pet food industry have been the main drivers of demand. He said the U.S. is going to need to import record […] Read more