Buenos Aires | Reuters — Agriculture ministers from the G20 countries criticized protectionism in a joint statement on Saturday, and vowed to reform World Trade Organization (WTO) rules, but did not detail what steps they would take to improve the food trade system. In the statement, they said they were “concerned about the increasing use […] Read more
G20 ag ministers slam protectionism, pledge WTO reforms
Alberta crop conditions fall overall, poor hay supplies cause for concern
Alberta crop conditions as of July 24, 2018
Reading Time: < 1 minute Provincial crop conditions have dropped over seven points from last week. Northwest. Northeast and Peace regions saw minimal changes, while the South and Central have been most affected. The hot dry weather and limited rainfall played a part in the decline in these two regions. Although the Northeast and Northwest have experienced varied weather including […] Read more
Drought’s effects linger on Prairies
CNS Canada — After a dry growing season last year in Western Canada, effects of the drought are still evident with news that most livestock producers won’t be doing a second cut of hay. “Pastures and hay fields didn’t get the moisture that they needed to really recharge over that winter period and get a […] Read more
NAFTA teams ready to ‘start solving’ stalled issues, Mexico says
Washington | Reuters — Mexican Economy Secretary Ildefonso Guajardo said on Friday that the negotiating teams for the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) are ready to kick off talks again after they stalled last month. NAFTA talks between the U.S., Mexico and Canada had stalled since June when the U.S. imposed tariffs on Mexican […] Read more
It’s the time of year when crop scouting pays big dividends
Weed escapes, herbicide resistance, disease, and pests can all be assessed after spraying, says expert
Reading Time: < 1 minute Spray, then scout, says provincial crop specialist Mark Cutts. “It is very important to recognize that scouting after a herbicide application is vital to weed control, said Cutts. “In the majority of cases, producers will find that the chemicals have worked. However, in certain situations, field scouting may show the weeds weren’t properly controlled. Producers […] Read more
Dwindling diesel supplies could boost price
CNS Canada — Strong global demand and a looming North American harvest could send diesel prices higher in coming months. According to one energy analyst in Chicago, farmers may want to buy some fuel before prices get too high. “We’re telling our people to hedge some of your exposure, because we do think that, barring […] Read more
GMO rules cover plant gene editing technique, top EU court says
Brussels | Reuters — Crops obtained by plant breeding technique mutagenesis should fall under laws restricting the use of genetically modified organisms (GMOs), Europe’s highest court said on Wednesday, in a victory for environmental campaigners. The biotech industry had argued that much of mutagenesis, or gene editing, is effectively little different to the mutagenesis that […] Read more
Hot weather doesn’t help when it comes to baling
Uneven yields up the risk of mouldy, heated feed, while leaf loss increases when the temperature soars
Reading Time: 3 minutes This year is going to be a challenge deciding when to bale hay, says provincial beef and forage specialist Barry Yaremcio. “With yield differences in a field, areas with a low yield will be dry and ready to bale while areas of that field with higher yield potential may need more time to dry and […] Read more
Mexico, Canada insist on three-way NAFTA deal
Mexico City | Reuters — Canadian and Mexican officials insisted that the North American Free Trade Agreement remain a trilateral pact on Wednesday and reiterated their opposition to U.S. calls for a so-called “sunset clause” that could end the deal after five years. After a meeting in Mexico City, Canadian Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland and […] Read more
Canada’s new export minister to push beyond U.S. market
Ottawa | Reuters — Canada has created a new federal cabinet position to help exporters look beyond the U.S. and there will be resources for small businesses that want to take advantage of new trade deals, the new minister for export promotion said on Tuesday. Mary Ng, who vaulted to cabinet-level last week to take […] Read more
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