Reading Time: 2 minutes General rainfall happened across a large area from northwestern parts of the Central Region to the North West and North East Regions, with precipitation from five to 50 mm, bringing needed moisture to the fields after a spell of hot and dry conditions. Precipitation in the Peace Region varied from spotty showers to an inch […] Read more
Crop conditions, harvest operations below five-year average
Alberta crop conditions as of August 14, 2018
Pearce: Multiple modes of action an emerging reality for fungicides
As growers face more challenges from weeds, diseases and insects, many researchers, agronomists, advisers and farmers have shifted thinking from “control” of pests to “managing” them. Some of this trend is attributable to single-mode-of-action products and a reliance on one or two chemistries or technologies — but the adaptability of weed, disease and insect species […] Read more
Feed weekly outlook: Shortages expected for Prairie barley
CNS Canada — Sales have slowed for feed grain buyers in Western Canada, as concerns continue to mount about feed shortages. “The confidence from the farmer is not (there anymore). He just wants to see some crop come into his bin. So we’ve definitely slowed in our buying,” said Brandon Motz, sales manager at CorNine […] Read more
Quebec offers aid to lessen brunt of U.S. tariffs
Montreal | Reuters — The Quebec government on Wednesday said it would spend $863 million over five years to mitigate the impact of U.S. tariffs on companies and the province’s agriculture sector. The plan would provide direct financial aid to some companies affected by the tariffs and would support investments to improve productivity, worker training […] Read more
Saskatchewan highways minister moves to ag file
Saskatchewan’s highways and infrastructure minister is going off-road in his next cabinet assignment as minister of agriculture. David Marit, the MLA for the southwestern riding of Wood River since 2016, was named Wednesday by Premier Scott Moe to pick up the ag portfolio from Lyle Stewart. Stewart, the MLA for the south-central riding of Lumsden-Morse, […] Read more
Saskatchewan ag minister to exit cabinet
Saskatchewan’s premier expects to name a new minister of agriculture within days, as the incumbent minister steps aside to focus on cancer treatments. Lyle Stewart announced Thursday he will remain as ag minister until Premier Scott Moe names a new minister, a decision to be announced sometime this week. “I was recently diagnosed with colorectal […] Read more
Hot weather stressing crops, harvests seeing lower yields
Alberta crop conditions as of August 7, 2018
Reading Time: 2 minutes Since mid-July, variable precipitation has occurred across the province, with enough rain in some areas, while others are under dry conditions, especially in the southern part of the province. Hot temperatures added to the stress on crops and forages in dry areas, causing heat stress and pushing maturity quickly, resulting in lower than normal yields. […] Read more
Southern Sask. harvest underway
CNS Canada — Saskatchewan farmers are starting to get into fields, especially in the south where three per cent of the crop has been combined. Overall, producers in the province have combined one per cent of the crop, in line with the five-year average. Two per cent has been swathed or is ready to be […] Read more
Straw prices soar, piling pressure on N.Europe livestock farmers
In some areas straw now more expensive than grains
Hamburg | London | Reuters – Livestock and dairy farmers across northern Europe are paying soaring prices for straw used in food and bedding for cattle, as hot, dry weather across the region reduces crops. The higher bills put further pressure on farmers already facing one of their toughest summers ever; many have had to […] Read more
Harvest underway in Manitoba
CNS Canada – Dry conditions persist across Manitoba, with harvest underway in parts, according to the weekly crop report from Manitoba Agriculture released on Aug. 7. Moisture stress is becoming evident in many crops, with rainfall needed to help the grain fill. There were also storms across the province with hail damage reported during the […] Read more