Major Canadian grocery retailers Metro and Loblaw say a federal investigation is underway concerning the pricing of certain commercial bread products. Toronto-based Loblaw and its parent firm, George Weston Ltd., announced Tuesday they’re aware of an “industry-wide investigation” by the federal Competition Bureau concerning a “price-fixing scheme involving certain packaged bread products.” The two companies […] Read more
Major retailers say federal bread pricing probe underway
Cheerios to remove ‘gluten-free’ claim
The maker of Cheerios cereal is pulling a controversial “gluten-free” claim from the product’s Canadian packaging starting in 2018, over what it says is a lack of a “consistent” testing protocol for oat products. General Mills announced last week it will remove the “gluten-free” claim from Cheerios sold in Canada starting in January, though it […] Read more
Harvest nearly complete in southern Alberta, weather slows northern producers
Alberta crop conditions as of October 17
Reading Time: 2 minutes Despite weather which was not ideal, producers were able to make good harvest progress this past week improving the harvest percentage in the province to 86 per cent completed, up 9 points on the week though lagging the 5 year average of 93 per cent. Harvest is virtually complete in the South and nearing completion in […] Read more
Seventy-seven per cent of crops harvested, soil moisture conditions improve
Alberta crop conditions as of October 10
Reading Time: 2 minutes Harvest is complete in the Southern Region and nearly complete in the Central Region, while the northern regions in the province are still in mid-harvest. This past spring, the northern regions had some challenges with the harvesting of over-wintered crops which led to late seeding. As well, for these regions, rain, combined with snow and […] Read more
Snow, killing frost puts brakes on harvest, crop quality better than expected so far
Alberta crop conditions as of October 3
Reading Time: 2 minutes Over the weekend, an intense and large system delivered cold, wet weather across the province which caused significant snowfall in some areas and brought killing frost to almost all areas across the province. The recently wet conditions also increased soil moisture levels, especially, in the Southern and Central Regions, pausing the harvest operations for a […] Read more
Organic grain firm picks up elevator near border
A Minneapolis startup in the organic grain business has bought a northwestern North Dakota elevator that further expands its southern Prairie catchment. Pipeline Foods — which has hung out its shingle as a buyer of organic, non-GMO wheat, pulses and oats for food and feed — announced Tuesday it has bought a CHS elevator at […] Read more
Oat prices keep firm as harvest rolls in
CNS Canada — Oat prices firmed this week in Saskatchewan as reports streamed in indicating yields were slightly better than anticipated. Harvest in Saskatchewan is over three-quarters complete, although recent rains have delayed that progress somewhat. The province is the dominant growing area for Canadian oats. Bids rose five cents to a range of $2.33 […] Read more
Weather slows harvest progress, falls behind five-year average
Alberta crop conditions as of September 26
Reading Time: 2 minutes Minimal harvest progress was made this week as cool temperatures and light to moderate precipitation affected crop dry down. Heavy frost was reported across much of the South region which had been missed previously. Harvest completion is estimated at 60 per cent in the bin, up four percentage points from last week, but falling behind […] Read more
Killing frost finds crops in the north, harvest 56 per cent complete
Alberta crop conditions as of September 19
Reading Time: < 1 minute Cooler weather has moved into the province bringing precipitation and frost to most areas. Precipitation in amounts of light showers in the South to rain in the Northern regions and the Peace has slowed harvest progress. Killing frosts below minus 2 Celsius were experienced across much of the province (view map at link below). Yield […] Read more
U.S. organic grain firm buys Saskatchewan elevators
A Minneapolis-based startup focused on non-GMO and organic grains has bought itself elevator space to source those crops out of southern Saskatchewan. Pipeline Foods on Wednesday announced it has bought small elevators at Wapella, about 130 km south of Yorkton, and at Gull Lake, about 50 km southwest of Swift Current, for an undisclosed sum. […] Read more
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
