Reading Time: < 1 minute The 2018 versions of Cropping Alternatives and the new Crop Budget Calculator tool are now available. They allow producers to project costs, margins, and break-even yields for potential crops. Cropping Alternatives “forecasts margins based on benchmark yields, current cost of production, expected revenues, and costs by soil zone. With this information producers can get an […] Read more
New cropping business tools available
It’s a sure sign of spring — the ‘Blue Book’ is here
It’s 600 pages of info on pesticide products, and an invaluable guide for producers across the province
Reading Time: < 1 minute This year’s edition of the ‘Blue Book’ is now available. “An important part of the annual update includes newly registered pesticide products,” said crop specialist Mark Cutts, co-editor of the book, officially known as Crop Protection 2018. “This year’s edition includes new additions to the four main pesticide types: herbicides, insecticides, seed treatments, and foliar fungicides. […] Read more
Get the lowdown on plant growth regulators and crop varieties
PGR fact sheet looks at lodging and staging while crop fact sheets examine performance in Alberta
Reading Time: 2 minutes New fact sheets on plant growth regulators and crop varieties are now available. Plant growth regulators (PGRs) are synthetic compounds that can modify plant growth and development by altering plant hormonal activity. While PGRs are popular in other regions of the world like Western Europe, their use in Western Canada is relatively new. “The plant […] Read more
Pulse weekly outlook: India not a guaranteed market
CNS Canada — Despite positive developments between Canada and India in regards to pulse crops, the CEO of Pulse Canada is warning producers not to rely on India as market for pulses. “India is not the market that it was eight months ago and it emphasizes the need to find alternate markets,” Gordon Bacon said. […] Read more
Troubled pulse trade generating lots of headlines
Tariffs, fumigation, and prime minister’s India trip have put the crop into the media spotlight
Reading Time: 3 minutes The politics of pulses haven’t reached White House levels yet, but the unassuming legumes are generating headlines like never before. The latest ones include another hike in India’s tariffs, a pledge to resolve a long-running dispute over fumigation, and a new attempt to shield Indian farmers from falling prices. Justin Trudeau appeared to have ended […] Read more
Pulse weekly outlook: Chickpeas a bright spot
CNS Canada — Western Canadian farmers may be set to plant fewer lentil and pea acres this spring, but chickpeas are looking to be one pulse crop that stands out. “Acres are definitely going to increase significantly,” said Colin Young of Midwest Grain at Moose Jaw. He expected to see a doubling in area from […] Read more
India to double state purchases of oilseeds, pulses
New Delhi | Reuters — India’s cabinet approved on Wednesday doubling state purchases of oilseeds and pulses from farmers, in a bid to boost local output and prevent distressed sales. The amount that state agencies guarantee to buy at pre-set prices will double to 190 billion rupees (C$3.7 billion) for a five-year period ending in […] Read more
India, Canada to work up pulse export protocols
The prime ministers of Canada and India have agreed to sort out new and predictable rules governing exports of Canadian pulse crops. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, on a state visit this week to India, released a joint statement with India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday calling for the two countries to reach a new […] Read more
Pulse weekly outlook: Prairie market ‘nonexistent’ due to trade dispute
CNS Canada — As the western Canadian pulse crop industry awaits news from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s visit to India, two traders aren’t holding their breath. “I’m not expecting any big announcements or any big headway other than wording like ‘working towards understandings’ and things like that,” said Adam Krieser of Canpulse Foods in Saskatoon. […] Read more
Pulse weekly outlook: Industry adapting to new market reality
CNS Canada — Pulse growers are facing new questions on the Prairies these days as a trade impasse with India forces many farmers to prepare for new market realities. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau next week will visit India, where the thorny subject of its levies on Canadian pulse exports will be raised. India imposed the […] Read more
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