A laboratory review of the end-use quality of sprouted wheat will lead to changes in how wheat is graded starting Aug. 1 this year. The Canadian Grain Commission on Tuesday announced changes in store effective Aug. 1 for how Canadian wheat is graded, along with a list of clarifications and new housekeeping rules for the […] Read more

Grain grading guide to tighten definition of ‘severely’ sprouted wheat
More changes, clarifications on deck for Aug. 1

Bunge, Viterra confirm marriage plans
Firms to merge under Bunge banner
The grain handler built out from the foundations of the former Prairie pools is set to be absorbed into one of the world’s biggest grain trading firms in a cash-and-stock deal. After the news leaked out last month, Rotterdam-based Viterra confirmed Tuesday morning it’s “concluded an agreement” to merge into Bunge — the St. Louis-based […] Read more

Growing resistance drives new fungicide for pulses
Product a response to Group 11 resistance in lentils and field peas, says company
Reading Time: 2 minutes Growing resistance in some Western Canadian pulse crops has prompted the development of a new fungicide earmarked for a 2024 release. Reports of Group 11 resistance starting in 2019 caused BASF Canada to “pivot” its strategy around RevyPro, billed by the company as “Designed in Western Canada for Western Canadian growers.” “Group 11 resistance has […] Read more

Philippines to host Canada’s Indo-Pacific ag office
AAFC/CFIA base to be set up in Manila, Bibeau says
Canada’s agriculture department and food safety agency will carry out their part of the federal government’s Indo-Pacific strategy from a new office in Manila, Philippines. Federal Agriculture Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau announced the office’s location Wednesday in Ottawa during a meeting with the Canadian Agri-Food Trade Alliance (CAFTA), which represents Canada’s export-dependent ag commodity groups on […] Read more

Late Indian monsoon to start in next two days
The monsoon is vital to the country's agricultural production
MarketsFarm – The onset of India’s annual southwest monsoon, which is vital to the country’s agricultural production, is expected to hit the southern state of Kerala within the next 48 hours, according to an update from the India Meteorological Department. The persistence of westerly winds over the Arabian Sea, the increased depth of those westerly […] Read more

Ontario extends deadline to lock in RMP coverage
Final date to secure coverage moved to June 30
Grain and oilseed growers and cattle, hog, sheep and veal producers in Ontario now get until June 30 this year to secure coverage under that province’s Risk Management Program (RMP). The province on May 29 announced the deadlines for grain and oilseed producers to submit their completed RMP applications and make any coverage changes — […] Read more

Pulse weekly outlook: Dryness to cut into Australian production
MarketsFarm — Dry conditions and low soil moisture reserves in key Australian growing regions, along with expectations for developing El Nino weather patterns, are expected to cut into the country’s pulse production in 2023-24, despite steady to higher seeding intentions for several crops, according to the latest crop report from the Australian Bureau of Agricultural […] Read more

Complex patchwork of global rules on crop residues makes vigilance important
Keeping track isn’t easy, which is why Keep It Clean puts out an annual list of potential trade risks
Reading Time: 4 minutes Glacier FarmMedia – Growers are again being reminded about proper use of crop protection products and their potential impact on trade. Keep It Clean, an initiative of several commodity organizations, recently released its annual list of products that may cause trouble with export sales. “We are export dependant,” Greg Bartley, director of crop protection and […] Read more

Precision planting: Good looks and high yields don’t always go together
Precision-planted crops look great at emergence, but lose that edge if timely rains don't come
Reading Time: 3 minutes If your greatest joy in farming is seeing nice, even emergence, you can’t beat a precision planter. “We tried a bunch of pulse crops, including field peas, chickpeas, lentils, faba beans, soybeans, and we also tried it on irrigated durum and hemp,” said Farming Smarter researcher Gurbir Dhillon. “Seedling emergence and stand establishment improved across […] Read more

Insects posing problems in Saskatchewan crops
Grasshopper, flea beetle damage already reported
MarketsFarm – Although it’s still early in the growing season, some insect pests have already posed a threat to crops in Saskatchewan or could do so in the near future, according to James Tansey, provincial specialist for insects/invertebrate pest management. Among the pests he cited were grasshoppers, flea beetles and pea leaf weevils. Tansey said […] Read more