Saskatchewan expects to pull back its spending on agriculture by about $22.4 million in its 2020-21 budget year, mainly in a reduced outlay on business risk management (BRM) programs. Provincial Finance Minister Donna Harpauer on Wednesday tabled the province’s 2020-21 spending estimates with the “unusual step” of not including revenue forecasts, citing the current COVID-19 […] Read more
Saskatchewan pares ag spending in estimates
Spending estimates released without revenue forecasts
Prairie elevators’ staff aim for on-site distancing
Cargill, P+H elevators stay open but with arm's-length approach
At least two Prairie grain handling firms plan to continue taking deliveries from farmers during the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic — but to make the process as touchless as possible. Cargill, in a email to customers Wednesday, said its Canadian grain elevators, crush plants and ag input retail sites will remain open for deliveries and pickups, […] Read more
No Prairie farm fuel shortages expected in pandemic
Continuity plans in place to keep fuel moving
Prairie farmers shouldn’t see a disruption to their farm fuel distribution as a result of COVID-19 safety measures. “Our members are committed to minimizing disruptions to the Canadian fuel supply as a result of the pandemic response,” Canadian Fuels Association spokesperson Jason Vaillant said in an email. “Our members are working tirelessly to maintain operations […] Read more
Seed supplies are strong, no delivery problems expected
But order seed by phone or online, and keep your distance during delivery
Reading Time: < 1 minute Alberta farmers shouldn’t face any challenges finding seed as the pandemic plays out over the next few weeks — but stick to phone calls and online orders when working with your seed supplier. “To my knowledge, there shouldn’t be a lot of problems (with seed supply),” said Kelly Chambers, executive director of Alberta Seed Growers. […] Read more
Grain price slump attracts bargain-hunting by importers
Hamburg | Reuters — The collapse in grain prices caused by concern about the global impact of the COVID-19 coronavirus has generated some bargain-buying by importing countries, traders said on Tuesday. But they said the extent was still limited and there were no signs importers were making especially large purchases to expand stocks. “We are […] Read more
Pulse weekly outlook: Increased demand seen, but problems loom
MarketsFarm — Unlike other commodities, pulses aren’t yet feeling ill effects from an economic downturn due to the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak, according to Marcos Mosnaim of Globeways Canada in Mississauga. With consumers panic-buying, there has been increased demand for pulses, as many are non-perishable, Mosnaim said. “These products will be there for ages,” he said, […] Read more
Unseasonal rain, hail damage winter crops in India
Crop quality issues may pressure prices
New Delhi | Reuters — Unseasonal torrential rains and hailstorms have damaged the winter-planted crops of millions of Indian growers, inundating wheat, potato, chickpea and rapeseed farms in large parts of the fertile northern plains, farmers said. Most farmers were caught by surprise by the repeated rain and hail that has lashed fields full of […] Read more
Handlers focus on keeping grain moving despite COVID-19
Grain companies, Canadian Grain Commission working but unsure of future
Canada’s grain companies are committed to keeping grain moving to domestic and export customers, but how the spread of COVID-19 might affect business is still an unknown, says Wade Sobkowich, executive director of the Western Grain Elevator Association. “We are are going to do everything in our power to keep grain moving at this time,” […] Read more
Where are the pulses? India has own take on fast food
Alberta producer sees opportunities in the changing marketplace of India and other pulse-buying countries
Reading Time: 4 minutes Enchant seed grower Greg Stamp was expecting the unusual when he travelled to India last month. That proved to be the case, but not always in ways he expected. For example, he learned the fast-food market in India grew by 18 per cent last year. “That was a huge number. I was surprised,” said Stamp, […] Read more
Ottawa roundup: Carbon tax, Grain Act review, Horticultural Council AGM
Despite much of the world’s focus being on slumping stock markets and a global pandemic, there are several recent developments out of Ottawa related to agriculture: Canada Grain Act Canada’s Treasury Board has identified the Canada Grain Act as a piece of legislation in need of regulatory reform. This has been on the federal Liberal […] Read more
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