Canola south of Ethelton, Sask. on Aug. 3, 2017. (Dave Bedard photo)

Canada’s canola acres up from earlier forecast

Wheat acres up; barley, oats, corn revised lower

MarketsFarm –– Canadian farmers seeded more canola in 2021 than originally intended, with a number of other crops also seeing adjustments higher as dry weather through the planting season allowed for a fast seeding pace. In its June estimates of principal field crop areas, released Tuesday, Statistics Canada pegged total canola planted area at 22.5 […] Read more

(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)

Klassen: Yearling prices consolidate, calf values soften

Compared to last week, western Canadian yearling prices were relatively unchanged; however, calves weighing 500 to 700 lbs. were $2-$4 lower. Featherlight bawlers under 500 lbs. were down $6-$8 from seven days earlier. Strong feedlot buying interest supported quality groups of yearlings. Feed barley prices were down $5-$10 per tonne from last week while the […] Read more


(Dave Bedard photo)

Canola, wheat acres in opposite trends before StatsCan report

'Every commodity was offering options that were profitable'

MarketsFarm — Just days prior to Statistics Canada issuing its latest survey-based crop acreage report on Tuesday next week, analysts are estimating a rise in canola acres at the expense of wheat. “Coming through the winter and towards spring seeding, we were looking at canola prices that were at their highest levels of all time,” […] Read more



CME October 2021 feeder cattle (candlesticks) with Bollinger (20,2) bands. (Barchart)

Klassen: Feeder market percolating higher

Weakness in feeder futures seen as temporary hiccup

Compared to last week, western Canadian yearling prices were $1-$4 higher on average; calves were steady to $2 higher. Limited volume of calves under 600 lbs. made the market hard to define; however, strong demand was surfacing across all weight categories. The weaker Canadian dollar, along with stronger live cattle futures, set a positive tone. […] Read more

Canada is now producing some of the world’s best craft beer — but having a bear on the label or a little maple syrup in the recipe doesn’t hurt either, say Jeff Orr (left) and Don Tse of Far Out Exporters.

Calgary beer lovers create business to bring craft beer to the world

Along with great malt and fresh water, brewers here have quickly become elite at their craft

Reading Time: 3 minutes Alberta has seen its craft beer industry boom in the last 10 years — and now a trio of three entrepreneurs want the world to know what provincial craft brewers have to offer. “Canada has a global reputation for its clear skies and clean water,” said Don Tse, a beer writer and consultant who operates […] Read more





Chlormequat warning for all barley uses

Chlormequat warning for all barley uses

Reading Time: < 1 minute Chlormequat — the active ingredient in the plant growth regulator product Manipulator — has been given a Yellow/Be Informed rating in Keep it Clean’s product advisory listing for barley, whether it’s sold for malt, food or feed. Previously it had a Green/Acceptable rating except for use on malting barley. “Growers should talk to their grain […] Read more

Blindman Brewing in Lacombe has received a $102,000 grant to capture and reuse all of the CO2 produced in its brewing process.

Lacombe brewer closes its own carbon loop

Blindman Brewing in Lacombe will be capturing up to 100 tonnes of CO2 every year

Reading Time: 3 minutes An Alberta craft brewery is turning its carbon emissions into cash, thanks to a grant that will allow it to capture and reuse carbon in its brewing process. “We paid $60,000 last year just buying CO2 in bulk,” said Kirk Zembal, co-owner of Blindman Brewing in Lacombe. “If you’re using that much CO2 and producing […] Read more