Reading Time: < 1 minute If you’re still considering pre-harvest weed control or a desiccation product, don’t forget about maximum residue limits. “Producers need to ensure they adhere to the pre-harvest interval which is the time from applying a product until it is either swathed or combined,” said Nevin Rosaasen, policy and program specialist with Alberta Pulse. Detailed information on […] Read more
Don’t forget about residue limits before you harvest
New grain standards now in effect
Changes to the grain grading guide as of Aug. 1
Reading Time: < 1 minute Changes to the Official Grain Grading Guide and variety designation lists are now in effect. That means individual official standard samples will be used to assess frost, heat stress, and mildew damage in western Canadian wheat. New variety designation lists also came into effect on Aug. 1 — 25 varieties of Canada Western Red Spring […] Read more
Turkish currency crisis casts cloud over lentil exports
CNS Canada — The plunging value of the lira is threatening to curb sales of Canadian lentils to Turkey — traditionally one of Canada’s biggest customers for the pulse. The Turkish lira hit a record low on Monday as soaring inflation and political turmoil sent the currency plunging relative to the U.S. dollar. At the […] Read more
Pulse weekly outlook: Heat blast threatens chickpea yields
CNS Canada — Temperatures as high as 38 C were recorded in the western Prairies over the weekend — and with that heat comes questions about crop impact. Lentils and peas are far enough along that the recent heat wave is unlikely to affect them from a yield perspective, according to Carl Potts of Saskatchewan […] Read more
Saskatchewan ag minister to exit cabinet
Saskatchewan’s premier expects to name a new minister of agriculture within days, as the incumbent minister steps aside to focus on cancer treatments. Lyle Stewart announced Thursday he will remain as ag minister until Premier Scott Moe names a new minister, a decision to be announced sometime this week. “I was recently diagnosed with colorectal […] Read more
Hot weather stressing crops, harvests seeing lower yields
Alberta crop conditions as of August 7, 2018
Reading Time: 2 minutes Since mid-July, variable precipitation has occurred across the province, with enough rain in some areas, while others are under dry conditions, especially in the southern part of the province. Hot temperatures added to the stress on crops and forages in dry areas, causing heat stress and pushing maturity quickly, resulting in lower than normal yields. […] Read more
New GM technique promises to speed new crop development
CNS Canada — Scientists in the United States say they have found a new method for inserting genes into crops that could speed up development of new varieties. “Making genetic improvements that were difficult or impossible before will be much easier because we can now insert not just one or two genes, but multiple genes […] Read more
The market is shaky but there’s still a lot of pulse acres out there
India’s absence has pushed down acres, but Alberta is still growing one of its largest-ever crops
Reading Time: 4 minutes Pea and lentil prices have crashed, but Alberta farmers are still growing a lot of pulses. “Everything that happened in India caused a shock, not only to Canada, but globally,” said Leanne Fischbuch, executive director of Alberta Pulse Growers. The peak year for pulse production in Alberta was two years ago, and acreage has dropped […] Read more
Southern Alberta crops struggle, but rest of province near five-year index
[UPDATED: Aug. 10, 2018]* CNS Canada — Farmers in Alberta have just started harvest, but early yield reports are showing reductions in southern areas. Dryland crops in southern Alberta are projected to come in at 74.6 per cent of the five-year index, according to Alberta’s Agriculture Financial Services Corp. Daniel Graham, manager of business risk […] Read more
Prairie pea market has more potential than lentils
CNS Canada – With limited uses for lentils, one market analyst sees more potential for the pea market in Western Canada. “On lentils we are really restricted to the edible market. Peas are an incredibly versatile product, so we’re using peas both for human consumption and they are quite usable for feed,” said Marlene Boersch, […] Read more
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