Reading Time: 4 minutes [UPDATED: May 1, 2024] The Field Crop Development Centre at Lacombe, Alta., has a new name and identity that reflects a broadening focus. Now called Western Crop Innovation as of April 1, it will build on a long history of barley breeding and agronomy research and expand to include a wider array of crop research. […] Read more
Former crop centre reboots as Western Crop Innovation
New organization aims to expand focus to new crops, ag innovation
Plasma shows promise in grain decontamination
The fourth state of matter (in its cold form) could be coming to a malt house or feedlot near you
Reading Time: 3 minutes [UPDATED: June 4, 2024] Alberta researchers are harnessing a high-tech concept to decontaminate grain. The researchers are using cold plasma, which in this case was created by electrical discharge at atmospheric pressure. One of the most common uses is in florescent lighting, which creates light with little heat. Cold plasma is the fourth state of matter, […] Read more
Feed Grain Weekly: Seeding preparations begin in Alberta
As growers prepare to seed in parts of Alberta, the lack of moisture during the winter continues to be a concern. However, a major snowstorm which brought various amounts of precipitation to the central part of the province has relieved some stress.
Feed Grain Weekly: ‘A good time to secure pricing’
There has been some movement in feed grain prices across the Canadian Prairies during the week ended Apr. 3, particularly in Alberta. Susanne Leclerc of Market Master Ltd. in Edmonton chalked that up to factors such as road bans and the approach of spring seeding. She also noted a change in corn.
Feed Grain Weekly: Barley prices up weeks before seeding
Southern Alberta is seeing a slight bump up in feed barley prices, according to one trader.
Plot2Farm wraps up another (dry) year
Although short on big news, it offered insight on how crop products work in dry conditions, says agronomist
Reading Time: 5 minutes When it comes to on-farm testing, part of the equation is seeing how products function in the real world. So, while dry conditions are not ideal circumstances, the agronomist lead of Alberta Grains’ Plot2Farm program says testing enhanced efficiency fertilizers, PGRs and nitrogen rates has value. “I’d say overall (2023) was a relatively successful year,” […] Read more
Alberta barley breeding centre relaunched
"Western Crop Innovations will carry on the Field Crop Development Centre’s substantial legacy, ensuring its work is addressing the issues farmers are facing in the fields," said RJ Sigurdson, Alberta's minister of agriculture and irrigation in a news release Wednesday.
Seasonal trends underpinning feed grains for now
Feed barley bids in Western Canada continue to find some support as the calendar turns to spring, with seasonal road restrictions lending some nearby support to prices.
Whether warm or cold, know your bin inside-out
Grain storage experts say a winter with irregular highs and chilling lows brings challenges
Reading Time: 3 minutes A warm winter, interrupted by at least one deep freeze, presents challenges for crop storage so diligence is required, said a crops market analyst with the Alberta government. Aerate and turn stored crops while monitoring grain bin moisture and temperature, especially when outside temperatures fluctuate, wrote Neil Blue in a recent news release. “Several cases […] Read more
Tightening canola ending stocks for 2024/25: AAFC
Canadian canola ending stocks will likely be tighter by the close of the upcoming 2024/25 marketing year, while the wheat carryout should rise, according to updated supply/demand estimates from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC), released March 19.
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