MarketsFarm — There has been about a one-month gap in between Statistics Canada having gathered its data for next week’s principal crops report and actually releasing the report. That’s something trader Ken Ball of PI Financial in Winnipeg finds irksome. “They’re using computer models of some kind. You would think they could get this out […] Read more
ICE weekly outlook: Time gap too large in StatCan report
Canola's potential yields shrank in meantime
ICE weekly outlook: Canola could take a nosedive
'I think (farmers) are undersold'
MarketsFarm — A huge drop in canola prices could be looming, according to analyst Wayne Palmer of Exceed Grain in Winnipeg. Palmer pointed to Prairie farmers and said, “I think they are undersold.” He surmised too many farmers have held off from selling their canola, in hopes of getting a great price the next time […] Read more
Canadian lawmakers plan Taiwan trip amid rising China tensions
Ottawa | Reuters — A delegation of Canadian lawmakers plans to visit Taiwan in October to seek economic opportunities in the Asia Pacific region, Liberal MP Judy Sgro said Wednesday, a move that could further stoke tensions between China and the West. The relationship between China and the West has worsened since U.S. House of […] Read more
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
Neonicotinoids, reducing bee mortality are priorities for new research chair
Bees produce billions in benefits for Prairie farmers but they face a host of challenges
Reading Time: 4 minutes Pollinators and beekeepers on the Prairies have a new champion — the first-ever research chair concentrating on the health of these essential workers in fields and pastures. “I’ll be focused on improving honeybee health to improve sustainable agriculture,” said Dr. Sarah Wood, an associate professor of veterinary pathology at the University of Saskatchewan’s Western College […] Read more
ICE weekly outlook: Late canola crop hinges on weather
MarketsFarm — The ICE Futures canola market held within a narrow range during the week ended Wednesday, with weather conditions heading into harvest likely to dictate the eventual price direction over the next few weeks. “The key right now is the late state of the crop,” said Errol Anderson of ProMarket Communications in Calgary, noting […] Read more
Young Alberta researcher aims to feed the world through protein-boosted crops
The world needs a lot more protein and gene editing could be the solution, says Logan Skori
Reading Time: 3 minutes A young Alberta plant scientist is using gene editing to develop high-protein crops with an eye on feeding underdeveloped countries and meeting food industry demand for plant-based protein. Logan Skori grew up on an 1,800-acre mixed farming operation near Kinsella. His favourite childhood memory, which inspired his academic career, is riding in a combine with […] Read more
Slow canola emergence: farmers call for standardized vigour testing
Dozens of farmers took to social media this spring to voice concern over alleged slowly emerging canola, but as harvest approaches, so far there are no answers
Reading Time: 3 minutes Planting canola is expensive. Some estimates are as high as $450,000 per 1,000 acres, not including land and equipment costs. So imagine the concerns of many farmers this spring when they encountered slow emergence with some canola hybrids. The most expensive crop ever planted threatened to crush the dreams of farmers eager for a comeback […] Read more
It’s good to be green — canola cleared under new ‘clean fuel’ regulations
Canola sector fought hard for rules that wouldn’t tie growers in red tape
Reading Time: 4 minutes Farmers are closer to having a major new canola market — large-scale biofuel production — following the release of federal Clean Fuel Regulations intended to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The regulations indicate prairie growers have finally made the cut after years of negotiations between canola industry representatives and government. Canola is now fully accepted as […] Read more
ICE weekly outlook: Weather at forefront for canola futures
MarketsFarm – Canola contracts on the ICE Futures platform saw some large moves over the past week, initially moving higher in sympathy with the United States soy complex before taking back most of those gains as both markets reacted to shifting weather forecasts. Showers continue to pop up across the U.S. Midwest, despite the longer-range […] Read more