Reading Time: 2 minutes Editor’s note: This is part of an article recapping some of the points made during a July 29 webinar. Some of the information from the webinar was in a story in the Aug. 9 edition of this paper and the full webinar can be found on the BCRC Blog and locating the Aug. 10 entry […] Read more
Alternative feeds: There’s a lot to watch out for
That includes additive effects, binding of calcium, toxic weeds, and crop residues
Schoepp: The power of innovation is fuelling farms everywhere
Whether big like canola, niche like pig’s milk or unexpected like stinging nettles, there’s much to celebrate
Reading Time: 3 minutes I’ve seen and eaten some really amazing foods over the years. Cheese made from sow’s milk, rattlesnake, guinea pig, camel baked in cinnamon, insects and curious fish products. All made for memorable experiences — some that were more pleasant than others. I still cannot stomach camel or Vegemite, nor am I rushing out for grilled […] Read more
U.S. to ban use of chlorpyrifos on food crops
Cancellation already scheduled for most outdoor use in Canada
UPDATED, Aug. 25 –– Chicago | Reuters — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on Wednesday said it will ban the use on food crops of chlorpyrifos insecticide, which has been linked to health problems in children. The decision is a victory for environmental activists who have fought to stop the use of the chemical that […] Read more
ICE weekly outlook: Canola remains expensive
MarketsFarm — Concerns over the likelihood of a much smaller canola crop than previously anticipated, coupled with a very tight supply situation, continued to underpin values this week. That price rationing in turn has kept canola more expensive than other edible oils, according to trader Keith Ferley of RBC Dominion Securities in Winnipeg. “The market […] Read more
Richardson buys up veg oil-based drilling lubricant maker
Grain firm supplies canola oil to Control Chemical
The Calgary maker of Matex drilling fluids is under new ownership from one of its minority owners and its biggest supplier of crude canola oil. Winnipeg grain firm Richardson International announced last Tuesday it has bought full ownership of Control Chemical Corp. for an undisclosed amount. Control Chemical is billed as a specialized manufacturer of […] Read more
Renowned U of A wheat-breeding program hanging on — for now
It’s now cranking out new varieties but government cuts threaten program’s revival, says top breeder
Reading Time: 3 minutes Further cuts to post-secondary institutions could lead to the “canola-ization” of wheat breeding. And that’s not a good thing, says one of the country’s top wheat breeders. “I think farmers would say the canola experience is a mistake — letting private enterprise take it over,” said University of Alberta professor, Dean Spaner. “Effectively, they’re breeding […] Read more
Alberta reckons with poor quality, low crop yields
MarketsFarm – Crops in Alberta will not only have much lower yields than in previous years, but good quality crops will be harder to find. Provincial crop condition ratings declined over the past two weeks, according to the Province of Alberta’s biweekly crop report as of Aug. 10, which was released three days later. Only […] Read more
ICE weekly outlook: Something of a tough week for canola
MarketsFarm – It was a bit of a tough week for canola on the Intercontinental Exchange (ICE), although there was something of a bright spot after the release of the August supply and demand estimates from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). As one trader put it, canola did its job by increasing in […] Read more
ICE weekly outlook: Major canola supply issues ahead
MarketsFarm – There’s a looming problem that’s on the verge of surfacing in the Canadian canola market – many growers will be unable to fulfill their contracts due to lower production. The drought across the Prairies dashed canola production estimates from the initially anticipated 20 million tonnes, to something that could be in the range […] Read more
Drought-battered producers facing another crisis — contract penalties
Deadly combo of crop failures and sky-high prices leave some facing huge penalties on unfulfilled contracts
Reading Time: 5 minutes The drought is squeezing producers from all sides, with many facing another calamity — not having enough crop to fulfil their grain contracts. “There are issues because the drought is so widespread,” said Jason Saunders, vice-chair of Alberta Wheat and a dryland farmer from near Taber. “There was aggressive forward contracting on canola and old-crop […] Read more
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