MarketsFarm — Benchmark crude oil prices plummeted 30 per cent on Monday, after a price war erupted between Saudi Arabia and Russia. While that will mean lower prices at the pumps for consumers, the price war will not bode well for the Canadian economy, according to a pair of industry experts. “We already had the […] Read more
Oil price war spells bad news for Canada, global market
Diesel prices expected to trend lower
MarketsFarm — Canadian producers may enjoy a lower diesel bill during spring seeding, as reductions in demand have weighed on diesel prices across North America. Patrick DeHaan, head of petroleum analysis for GasBuddy, said retail diesel prices are down by about 10 to 15 cents per litre since the beginning of the year. The drop […] Read more
Ag chem industry watching COVID-19’s spread
MarketsFarm –– China is a major producer of agricultural chemicals — and disruptions to production would have a ripple effect on North American supplies of crop protection inputs, such as herbicides and insecticides. Plant closures and transportation issues due to the spread of COVID-19 coronavirus are being followed closely, but the Canadian industry is reportedly […] Read more
Chances of flooding in Manitoba depend on weather
MarketsFarm — Manitoba has issued its spring thaw forecast of 2020 — with high water levels coming for the Red River. That’s due to significant soil moisture levels left over from the fall and above-normal snow levels in the river’s U.S. watershed. “Our focus is currently on the Red River, where we are expecting a […] Read more
Different options for feeding cattle
Reading Time: < 1 minute Considering alternative feeds? The Beef Cattle Research Council has a web page that looks at a number of feeds other than hay, other forages and grains. “There are many alternative feeds that can supplement and even improve the diet,” the web page states. These range from crop residues, chaff, oat hulls, and screenings to DDGs, […] Read more
Crop variety reports now available
Reading Time: < 1 minute This year’s crop varietal reports are now available. The reports are designed to help producers make sound decisions when considering which silage, cereal and oilseed varieties to grow. “Varieties of cereal and oilseed crops for Alberta provide information on cereal and oilseed variety performance within Alberta and northeastern British Columbia,” said crop research technologist Alex […] Read more
Deere taps tractor-hailing tech in bid to break ground in Africa
Low incomes, lack of credit hobble African mechanization
Nanyuki, Kenya/Johannesburg | Reuters — It’s ride-hailing, farm style. Deere and Co. is teaming up with the “Uber of tractors” in Africa and betting on a future where farmers summon machines with the touch of a button. The world’s leading farm equipment maker is outfitting its tractors with startup Hello Tractor’s technology, which allows farmers […] Read more
More tax deferral zones announced for ranchers
Final list released for 2019 tax year
More ranchers who were up against a dry 2019 may now be eligible to defer some income from their livestock sales for the income tax year. The federal government on Tuesday released the “final list” of designated regions where income tax deferral on sales of breeding livestock has been authorized for 2019. In a prescribed […] Read more
Supply can’t meet demand for thistle-munching weevils
Stem-mining weevils love Canada thistle but getting enough of the bugs has been a challenge for forage association
Reading Time: 2 minutes Canada thistle is a huge problem in ranchers’ fields — but unfortunately, demand for one of the solutions has outstripped supply. West Central Forage Association has been selling stem-mining weevils since about 2014 but recently its supplier in Montana has had production problems and been unable to fill its orders. “The last couple of years, […] Read more
EU-Canada trade deal clears hurdle in Dutch parliament
Amsterdam | Reuters — The European Union’s free trade agreement with Canada cleared a political hurdle on Tuesday, when a slim majority of lawmakers in the Dutch lower house voted to ratify the contested deal. Votes by members of the country’s governing coalition were enough to approve the deal, which was rejected by opposition parties […] Read more
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
