Reading Time: 3 minutes Last summer’s drought drove down fusarium head blight levels across the province. But it’s still lurking, and increasingly that’s happening in parts of the province that have been spared in the past. “This year, just over five per cent of samples that we’re testing from Alberta have been positive for fusarium graminearum,” said Trevor Blois, […] Read more
A small silver lining in 2021: Drought pushes down fusarium levels
And planting fusarium-free seed gives growers a chance to push them down a bit further
Feed weekly outlook: Prices steady, but changes coming
Feedlots moving to full corn rations
MarketsFarm — With feed barley and wheat supplies on the verge of running out, prices remain firm, according to Mike Fleischhauer of Eagle Commodities in Lethbridge. “They’re on the positive side of stationary,” he said, noting prices could soon change following the Russian invasion of Ukraine on Thursday. “With what’s going on with Ukraine and […] Read more
Not surprisingly, the cost of certified cereal seed is up
The price hike for wheat has been modest but barley is up sharply, says market analyst
Reading Time: < 1 minute The cost of certified cereal seed is up and will likely keep climbing in the coming year, says a provincial market analyst. In an Agri-News article in mid-February, Ryan Furtas said barley seed prices shot up eight per cent in a month and are now 26 per cent higher than the five-year average. The price […] Read more
Klassen: Weather factors influence calf prices
Compared to last week, western Canadian yearling markets traded $4 lower to as much as $5 higher. Mid-weight feeder cattle traded relatively unchanged with strong demand noted on steers. Steer calves were firm, trading $2-$5 higher while heifer calves traded $4-$5 on either side of unchanged. The market was hard to define for calves and […] Read more
Adjustments minor in latest AAFC crop balance sheets
MarketsFarm — Only minor adjustments to the old- and new-crop balance sheets were reported by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada in their February supply/demand report, released Friday. New-crop production estimates were left unchanged for all of the major grains, oilseeds and pulses, with a return to average yields across the Prairies expected to lead to increased […] Read more
Feed weekly outlook: Big demand lacking for barley, wheat
MarketsFarm — Prices for feed barley have swung a little higher over the last week — but it’s not due to feedlots needing a lot of the cereal, according to Brandon Motz of CorNine Commodities at Lacombe, Alta. Barley prices, he said, were $420-$424 per tonne delivered into Lethbridge, with offers as high as $445 […] Read more
Taking the two-week grain-free challenge is worthwhile
Removing grain or processed feeds from your horse can be a good starting point in identifying dietary issues
Reading Time: 3 minutes Even though the ‘two-week no-grain challenge’ may be anxiety inducing, implementing it can offer surprisingly beneficial results for both horse and human. Humans often equate food with love and unknowingly project these feelings on to their animal family — cats, dogs and horses. So this grain-free challenge, touted in some horse websites and forums, often triggers […] Read more
End of the wheat and barley merger road in sight
Up next is a plebiscite on merging the boards of the two farm groups, which already share staff and offices
Reading Time: < 1 minute The long anticipated merger of the province’s wheat and barley commissions is now one step away from being a done deal. Delegates at Alberta Wheat’s recent annual general meeting supported a resolution to have a farmer plebiscite on amalgamating with Alberta Barley, whose members took the same step in December. The vote allows the two […] Read more
Feed weekly outlook: Corn seeing higher prices, transportation delays
MarketsFarm — Corn has become the primary feed grain in Alberta feedlots due to its lower price compared to barley and wheat. However, rising corn prices in the U.S. and transportation issues are causing some buyers to give pause. “Basic levels are a little bit stronger. (Add in) the exchange rate, there are a little […] Read more
China blocks Lithuanian beef, dairy, beer as Taiwan row grows
Canada seeks to join EU trade case against China
Beijing/Vilnius | Reuters — China suspended imports of beef, dairy and beer from Lithuania this week, Lithuania’s veterinary control agency said on Thursday, amid a growing trade dispute over the Baltic nation’s relations with Taiwan. China’s General Administration of Customs had informed the country it was halting the exports due to “lack of documentation,” the […] Read more
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