MarketsFarm – Crop development was highly variable across Manitoba during the week ended Aug. 2 depending on localized rainfall and drainage, with fields in the southern growing areas of the province generally better than those to the north, according to the latest report from Manitoba Agriculture. Localized insect concerns were reported, with some spraying required. […] Read more
Manitoba crops variable: report
Alberta crops improve tremendously over last year
Crops in Alberta remain in good shape as the latest crop report noted all crops across the province are 72 per cent good to excellent. That’s a huge improvement compared to this time last year when drought pushed crops down to 20 per cent good to excellent. Rain, especially in June proved to be very […] Read more
ICE weekly outlook: Upticks during a downturn not unusual
MarketsFarm – As prices fall back, an analyst said it’s very common for there to be occasional spike upwards, and that’s exactly what’s been happening to canola. “We’ve come down a long way and having a bit of a rally wouldn’t be unusual,” commented analyst David Derwin of PI Financial in Winnipeg, Man. “After we […] Read more
WHEN THINGS GO SOUTH: What to know about grain contracts
When you can’t fulfil a contract, there are key things to be aware of, say legal experts
Reading Time: 4 minutes Get those verbal agreements down in writing, know what terms like “liquidated damages” mean, and take action fast if you can’t fulfil a grain contract and prices are rising. Those are key takeaways from a recent webinar on grain contracts put on by the Canadian Canola Growers Association and Winnipeg law firm D’Arcy & Deacon. […] Read more
Is a return of ‘grain gridlock’ in the cards?
Grain movement was slow last winter but CN and CP say they’ll be ready to move this fall’s harvest
Reading Time: 4 minutes Fears are mounting that CN and CP may not be up to the job of getting grain to port later this year, even though the forecasts are for only an average-sized crop. “Last year wasn’t very reassuring,” said Geoff Backman, manager of business development and markets with Alberta Wheat and Barley. “Every year farmers are […] Read more
Fungal diseases posing an issue with Manitoba crops
As crop conditions vary across Manitoba, the latest crop report noted that frequent rains and warm temperatures have increased the risk of a number of fungal diseases. Manitoba Agriculture and Resource Development (MARD) said farmers continued to apply fungicides on their wheat, oats, barley, canola, and pea crops. However, wet conditions in a number of […] Read more
Rains were welcome but bring increased threat of crop diseases
There are host of factors to consider before spraying but get out in the field and look closely, says expert
Reading Time: 4 minutes Recent rainfall means farmers need to scout their crops and make decisions about spraying. “Certainly the rain that we’ve had would get things going,” said Kelly Turkington, a plant pathologist at Agriculture Canada’s Lacombe research station. For example, leaf spot diseases in barley and wheat can quickly flare up, he said on July 13. “Within […] Read more
Alberta Beef Producers get funding for ‘living labs’ project
Government says real-world testing of stewardship practices will benefit the environment and farmers
Reading Time: 4 minutes Ottawa is putting $54-million into ‘living labs’ initiatives in six provinces, including $8.5 million in a project that will be led by Alberta Beef Producers. “Each living lab will focus on identifying innovative technologies and on-farm management practices that can be adopted by farmers nationwide to tackle climate change,” the government said in a release. […] Read more
Speculative net short position grows in canola
MarketsFarm — The speculative net short position in ICE Futures canola grew during the week ended Tuesday, as fund traders liquidated long positions and opened some new shorts, according to the latest Commitment of Traders (CoT) report compiled by the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC). The net managed money short position in ICE Futures […] Read more
ICE weekly outlook: Benign weather weighs on canola
MarketsFarm — ICE Futures canola contracts were seeing choppy activity in mid-July but were under pressure overall, closing at their weakest levels in six months on Wednesday. Relatively favourable Prairie weather, speculative long-liquidation, and pressure from outside markets all weighed on values with more losses likely if no weather concerns develop. “The weather looks fairly […] Read more
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