Reading Time: 2 minutes Can one small gene really affect an entire crop or does it amount to only a hill of beans? It does matter if we’re talking about pinto beans. “Most beans keep the same look after growers harvest and store them,” said Sangeeta Dhaubhadel, a research scientist at the London Research and Development Centre. “With pinto […] Read more
Successful hunt for ‘P’ gene to pay dividends for bean growers
Darkening pinto bean problem solved by gene discovery, which benefits breeders and farmers
Opinion: Are the changes to ag research really being led by farmers?
The changes being made will have a major impact, but the issue isn’t attracting much attention
Reading Time: 3 minutes In February of 2016, I experienced something I will never forget. I witnessed farmers and ranchers unite across the province in passionate protest against the newly introduced Bill 6, the occupational health and safety legislation. We saw France-style farmer protests including tractor demonstrations and big crowds of angry folks. It reminded me of images I’ve […] Read more
It takes money to make money certainly holds true for canola
The price of the two most popular seed varieties has ‘increased significantly’ in recent years
Reading Time: 2 minutes The price of canola seed “has increased significantly over the past few years” and if crop returns stay high, could go up more, says a market analyst with Alberta Agriculture and Forestry. “Based on the average yearly price, a farmer seeding canola at five pounds per acre will incur a per-acre seed cost of $63 […] Read more
Klassen: Cold weather slows feeder cattle market activity
Compared to last week, western Canadian feeder cattle prices were relatively unchanged. Extreme temperatures blanketed Western Canada last week. Many auction barns cancelled sales or had limited numbers on offer. Buyers attended sales either in person or via the internet, which was supportive to the overall price structure. Many backgrounders and cow-calf producers delayed sales […] Read more
StatsCan confirms canola stocks tightening
Wheat stocks also down from previous year-end
MarketsFarm — Solid demand from exporters and domestic crushers continues to eat rapidly through Canada’s canola stocks, which as of Dec. 31 were down nearly 24 per cent from the same date a year earlier, according to new data released Friday from Statistics Canada. The government agency pegged total canola stocks in the country as […] Read more
Kraft Heinz reported in talks to sell Planters snack business
Pandemic-based surge in snack demand wanes
Reuters — Kraft Heinz is in talks to sell its Planters snack business to Skippy peanut butter maker Hormel Foods for about US$3 billion, the Wall Street Journal reported on Tuesday, citing people familiar with the matter. The deal could be announced as soon as next week if talks do not fall apart, the Journal […] Read more
Oat prices running out of upside
MarketsFarm — Oat prices in Western Canada have shown some strength over the past year, but competition from other crops will likely lead to an acreage reduction this spring despite the firm prices, according to market participants. Ryan McKnight, from Linear Grain at Carman, Man., had seen prices for the crop rise last fall, but […] Read more
Online series covers Hot Topics in Commodities
Prices and production information are the focus of the Hot Topics in Commodities series hosted by The Western Producer, Manitoba Co-operator, Grainews and Farmtario this winter. The free sessions each feature a look at market demand and fundamentals provided by MarketsFarm analysts as well as a presentation on a current production issue. Opportunities to earn […] Read more
Wheat stem sawfly survey finds some hot spots in southern Alberta
Populations of the pest seem low in most areas, but some fields had moderate or high damage
Reading Time: 2 minutes Populations of wheat stem sawfly are increasing in parts of southern Alberta, the latest provincial survey has found. The survey, conducted in the fall, found increased levels of sawfly damage in Forty Mile County. However, sawfly numbers seem to have declined in Willow Creek and Vulcan Counties, but that might just be a reflection of […] Read more
Grain groups post new videos
Chops and Crops along with Alberta Barley’s AGM available on YouTube
Reading Time: < 1 minute With in-person conferences cancelled, Alberta’s wheat and barley commissions have posted several new videos on their YouTube channel. One is a virtual version of the annual ‘Chops and Crops’ roundtable, in which reps from nine commodity commissions (canola, wheat, barley, pulses, potatoes, oats, sugar beet, pork and beekeepers) discuss policy issues with Agriculture Minister Devin […] Read more
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
