Plant breeders and customers spoke to the Olds College Lacombe Field Day on July 27. From left to right: Lori Oatway, Olds College; Kevin Sich, Rahr Malting, and Flavio Capettini,
Olds College.

Olds researchers aim for better brew of malting barley varieties

Breeders aim for a package that keeps both the farmers and the customers happy

Reading Time: 2 minutes Plant breeders have many challenges, but malting barley breeders have an extra one. Customers sometimes like their varieties so much that they’re reluctant to change to ones that are better for farmers. “We are looking at things that are not only going to be good in production and give farmers higher yields and ultimately more […] Read more

File photo of a sunrise over an Alberta barley crop. (MNphotography/iStock/Getty Images)

Feed weekly outlook: Barley harvest begins in Alberta

Prices continue easing

MarketsFarm — The barley harvest has already started in Alberta and prices continue to ease downward, according to one trader. “Around Lethbridge, they seem to have a good portion done,” said Erin Harakal, trade manager for Agfinity Inc. at Stony Plain, Alta. “Some areas in the north are starting, as well. The Edmonton area, Red […] Read more


(Dave Bedard photo)

Greater crop production estimated prior to StatCan report

Extended time lag between survey, data's release criticized

MarketsFarm — Analysts are expecting Canadian crop production totals for the 2022-23 marketing year to be substantially higher compared to drought-stricken 2021-22, but still not enough to fully replenish supplies. Statistics Canada (StatCan) will publish its first satellite image model-based yield and production estimates for principal field crops on Monday. Traders and analysts are interested […] Read more



(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)

Feed weekly outlook: Prairie markets hold firm ahead of harvest

MarketsFarm — The feed grain market in Western Canada is holding steady for the time being, with both buyers and sellers keeping to the sidelines ahead of the harvest. “So far we haven’t seen the harvest pressure we would normally expect,” said grain trader Matt Beusekom of Market Place Commodities in Lethbridge. Feedlots were still […] Read more

Cereals Canada flour mill

Half a century of Cereals Canada

Under different names, Cereals Canada has been the face of the country’s high-quality grain exports for five decades

Reading Time: 4 minutes Glacier FarmMedia – With supply-chain issues, the war in Ukraine and looming concerns over global food security, Cereals Canada has its work cut out for it. “Canadian agriculture plays a very important role in providing food security to the world,” said the industry association’s CEO Dean Dias. “We do that by doing scientific work, innovation […] Read more


Know your timing between spraying and swathing

Know your timing between spraying and swathing

Reading Time: < 1 minute The industry association Keep it Clean reminds that insecticide and fungicide applications must meet pre-harvest interval (PHI) requirements, which is the minimum acceptable number of days between applying a product and swathing or straight-cutting the crop.  While most fields are still several weeks away from PHI being an immediate concern, pre-planning maximizes options.  Keep it Clean’s […] Read more



Wheat in progress west of Pathlow, Sask. on Aug. 1, 2022. (Dave Bedard photo)

Feed weekly outlook: Prices lower despite mixed growing conditions

MarketsFarm — While not as widespread as last year’s historic drought, some parts of Alberta are still struggling with hot and dry conditions. Suzanne Leclerc, owner of Market Master Ltd. in Edmonton, said growing conditions for feed grains across the province are varied. “As usual for the last couple of years, such a mixed review,” […] Read more

Another big wheat crop shaping up in Australia

Another big wheat crop shaping up in Australia

Reading Time: < 1 minute The U.S. Department of Agriculture attaché in Australia says the country is expected to produce a third consecutive big grain crop in marketing year 2022-23. The report said another broadly favourable set of conditions around the time of winter grain planting and the early growth phase across most production regions bodes well for wheat and […] Read more