Reading Time: 2 minutes Some familiar faces have departed the leadership ranks of Alberta crop commission but some equally well-known ones — as well as some newcomers — are taking on leadership roles. Turin-area producer Kevin Serfas is the new chair of Alberta Canola. He takes over from John Guelly, who has been a director for Region 5 for […] Read more
Kevin Serfas and Robert Semeniuk new canola and pulse chairs
Three of the big four crop commissions have new leaders following recent annual general meetings
Grain handler group seeks Vancouver port governance overhaul
The WGEA, whose members ship most of Western Canada's grain, complain the port is in a conflict of interest as both developer and regulator
Vancouver, Canada’s biggest port and the most important to Western Canada’s economy, needs major changes in how it operates, the Western Grain Elevator Association (WGEA) says. As a statutory monopoly the port authority is both a port developer and regulator putting it in a conflict of interest, according to WGEA executive director Wade Sobkowich. “We […] Read more
Nutrien beats profit expectation on strong potash sales
Reuters — Canadian fertilizer maker Nutrien posted fourth-quarter profit above analysts’ estimates on Wednesday as potash demand rose amid rising crop prices, sending its U.S.-listed shares up in extended trade. Fertilizer producers have benefited from high U.S. crop exports, including record-large corn sales to China. With crop prices touching multi-year highs, farmers are poised to […] Read more
Canola stocks to tighten below a million tonnes, AAFC says
MarketsFarm — Canadian canola ending stocks in both the current 2020-21 marketing year and in 2021-22 are forecast to tighten below a million tonnes, according to updated supply/demand estimates from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. The tight stocks were largely tied to expectations for increased domestic usage, with projected canola exports left unchanged from the January […] Read more
Pulse weekly outlook: World Pulses Day celebrated
MarketsFarm — The United Nations celebrated the annual World Pulses Day on Feb. 10, highlighting the contribution of pulse crops to world agriculture and nutrition. “Pulses are more than just nutritious seeds – they also contribute to achieving the goals of the 2030 Agenda of Sustainable Development,” the UN said in a release. “They play […] Read more
Here’s what pests might be waiting for you in your fields
Bertha army worms get the biggest red flag in three new pest monitoring reports
Reading Time: 3 minutes There could be a bertha army worm outbreak in parts of the province this year, but cabbage seedpod weevil survey numbers are down, and, save in the south, grasshoppers aren’t a big worry, according to new provincial pest forecasts. Bertha army worm Keep watch is the take-away from last year’s survey, which consisted of 350 […] Read more
Average year expected for insect pests in Alberta
But as usual, local conditions mean producers need to ‘scout, scout, and scout’
Reading Time: 3 minutes Insect pressure dropped in 2020, and Alberta producers can expect much the same for 2021. “In general, 2020 wasn’t really a big insect year, especially compared to past years,” said Boyd Mori, an assistant professor of agricultural and ecological entomology at the University of Alberta. “We had flea beetle pressure like we always do, but a lot […] Read more
Pulse weekly outlook: Normal yields expected for dry beans in 2021-22
MarketsFarm — The number of acres seeded for dry beans in Canada in 2020-21 was at its highest level in more than a decade. But this upcoming crop year, acreage and yields are expected to return to normal. Dennis Lange, pulse specialist for Manitoba Agriculture at Altona, said he hadn’t seen yields like last year’s […] Read more
Big crop insurance premium cut may last for years, says AFSC
Barring a big crop wreck, this year’s 20-per-cent cut in premiums will continue for five years, says CEO
Reading Time: 5 minutes Alberta farmers will see a 20 per cent cut to crop insurance premiums this year — and if all goes well, those savings could continue over the next five years. “We’re providing a premium break right now that will lower the cost to producers in the program — (but) even doing that, we still find […] Read more
UN urges ‘maximum restraint’ as India farm protesters widen blockade
Mumbai | Reuters — The United Nations human rights office called on Indian authorities and protesting farmers to exercise “maximum restraint” hours before the growers impose a nationwide road blockade on Saturday seeking a repeal of new agricultural laws. Tens of thousands of farmers have camped out on the outskirts of New Delhi for more […] Read more
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