Reading Time: 2 minutes Soil tests are still the best way to determine your fertilizer requirements for spring. “We can determine where we’re starting from as far as the nitrate that is present in the soil and what’s there for the plant at the start of the year,” said agronomy research scientist Doon Pauly. “Phosphorus, potassium, and salinity don’t […] Read more
How much fertilizer do you need to apply?
Agronomy research scientist offers his tips for planning your applications this spring
Grain trade regional tie-ups seen more likely over mega-deals
Paris | Reuters — The agricultural trading industry can expect more consolidation at a regional level in an effort to improve margins, but big deals between global merchants are becoming more difficult, Louis Dreyfus’ CEO said. Merchants have been grappling with lower profits from sourcing and shipping commodities such as grain and oilseeds, prompting cutbacks […] Read more
New Blue Book is now available
Reading Time: < 1 minute The Crop Protection publication — a.k.a. the Blue Book — is now available. The 2019 edition has newly registered pesticide products, updates on previously registered ones, and changes in usage instructions. “There are a couple of new herbicide products, but there are many more minor changes to existing registrations,” said crops specialist and co-editor Harry […] Read more
Expect a full blast of kochia this spring
The tumbleweed already has the south in its grip and two years of dry conditions have made it stronger
Reading Time: 4 minutes [UPDATED: Mar. 26, 2019] Alberta kochia populations have exploded following back-to-back years of dry growing conditions. “Kochia was one of the worst weed problems across the southern Prairies last year,” said federal research scientist Charles Geddes. “If we have another dry year this year, there will certainly be issues with kochia management.” The past two […] Read more
Pulse weekly outlook: Edible beans on move
MarketsFarm — Following a lengthy 2018 harvest, Manitoba’s edible bean farmers are optimistic about the 2019 growing season. According to an outlook report published in late December by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, pulse farmers are expected to plant approximately the same amount of acreage as seen in 2018. However, after strong yields in 2018, Manitoba […] Read more
Manitoba farmers unfazed by flood reports
MarketsFarm — As experts forecast a spring flood to hit southern Manitoba, farmers in the Red River Valley won’t be caught off guard. Manitoba’s Emergency Measures Organization held flood preparedness seminars in Morris, Brandon, and Selkirk throughout the week of March 11. Topics covered included the forecast, flood outlook, preparedness and response and disaster financial […] Read more
Pulse weekly outlook: Green pea premium to erode with acreage increase
MarketsFarm — Green peas continue to command a sizeable premium over their yellow counterparts in Western Canada, which should see acreage shift this spring and an eventual rebalancing of the price spread. Green peas usually trade at a premium to yellow peas due to higher quality specs and concerns over bleaching, but the current price […] Read more
Trump budget proposes steep subsidy cuts to U.S. farmers
Washington | Reuters — U.S. President Donald Trump’s 2020 budget on Monday proposed a 15 per cent cut for the U.S. Department of Agriculture, calling its subsidies to farmers “overly generous” at a time when they are going through the worst crisis in decades because of depressed commodity prices and Trump’s trade tariffs. The Republican […] Read more
Alberta input retail chain expands westward reach
A pair of independent crop input retail outlets in west-central Alberta will be networking with seven others by month-end. Crop Management Network (CMN), a joint venture between an employee-owned network of retail outlets and La Coop federee’s Agrico Canada arm, announced Wednesday it has reached a deal to buy Performance Ag Group. Performance Ag, which […] Read more
Pulse weekly outlook: Ample supply drives down feed pulse prices
Prices for feed pulses have dropped over the last month as farmers have turned to the feed market as the only buyer, according to a trader. “Regular processors aren’t buying as many low-grade lentils, so guys are tired of sitting on them. So you’re starting to see them come to the feed market,” said Jay […] Read more
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