Diesel fuel costs are lower than expected, but the decrease will likely only save farmers about half a loonie per tonne
Reading Time: 2 minutes The maximum revenue Canada’s two main railways can earn from shipping Prairie grain next crop year will fall by 1.8 per cent. That could potentially save grain farmers millions on their 2013-14 freight bills, but on average only knock half a buck off a tonne. And it doesn’t come close to offsetting the record 9.5 […] Read moreRail rates set to fall, but by less than previous increase
Who will Ritz listen to — the industry or the WCWGA?
Reading Time: 2 minutes Some in the industry wonder whether they are wasting their time discussing how to improve Canada’s wheat registration system. Recent history shows that while Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz offers to consult with all of the industry, he only listens to a few. “Ritz listens to the Wheat Growers and Grain Growers of Canada more than […] Read more
Off-label glyphosate applications costly
Reading Time: 3 minutes Farmers are increasingly going “off label” applying higher rates of glyphosate to their Roundup Ready canola at a later crop stage than recommended, a survey commissioned by Monsanto Canada reveals. As a result farmers are losing three bushels an acre, Monsanto Canada said in a recent new release citing its own research. “The symptoms of […] Read more
Customer complaints about Canadian wheat quality need investigating
They come at a time when some question Canada’s emphasis on wheat quality assurance and the registration system
Reading Time: 3 minutes If there is good news in a recent wire service story that told the world some customers are complaining about Canadian wheat that wimped out in the bakery, it’s that complaints over quality are so rare they become news. Chinese officials complained this past winter, suggesting that a lack of processing consistency in the CWRS […] Read moreCGC chief defends wheat registration, quality control process
Elwin Hermanson says the commission is open to changes, but he rejects suggestions that it isn’t working
Reading Time: 2 minutes The wheat registration system combined with Canadian Grain Commission (CGC) oversight is the foundation for Canada’s wheat quality assurance system, says chief commissioner Elwin Hermanson. “We think that our system is a cornerstone to ensure consistent quality,” he told the Canada Grains Council’s annual meeting in Winnipeg April 2. “It’s important to our customers that […] Read moreWho will Ritz listen to — the industry or the WCWGA?
Reading Time: 2 minutes Some in the industry wonder whether they are wasting their time discussing how to improve Canada’s wheat registration system. Recent history shows that while Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz offers to consult with all of the industry, he only listens to a few. “Ritz listens to the Wheat Growers and Grain Growers of Canada more than […] Read more
Farmers to see varietal improvements in several wheat classes
Reading Time: 3 minutes The recent Prairie Recommending Committee for Wheat, Rye and Triticale (PRCWRT) meeting marked the first time a feed wheat developed by the Western Feed Grain Development Co-op was recommended for registration. The variety, WFT603, is a Canada Western General Purpose wheat. “The unique thing about this is any farmer in Western Canada can be a […] Read more
Manitoba farmer continues push for merger of commodity groups
Reading Time: 2 minutes A Manitoba farmer says his call to create three big Prairie-wide commodity groups is getting positive reviews — but no organizations have officially embraced the idea so far. Last month, Danny Penner issued a discussion document calling for the merger of existing commodity groups to make them more efficient and effective. “In person, I have […] Read more
First fusarium-resistant spring wheat now in pipeline
Launching two new Canadian Prairie Spring red (CPS) wheats, including the first fusarium head blight-resistant spring wheat bred for western Canadian farmers, is a great way to cap a 40-year-long career in planting breeding, says Doug Brown. Ten years in the making, HY1615, which is resistant to the yield-crippling fusarium, and HY1610, which is 10 […] Read more
World markets growing for Western Canada’s CPS wheat class
Recent regulatory changes will make it easier for American wheats to be registered in the Canada Prairie Spring class
Reading Time: 3 minutes The only problem processors are having with Canada Prairie Spring red wheat these days is not being able to buy enough of it, industry officials told the recent Prairie Grain Development Committee’s annual meeting. “I think if we can maintain our focus on quality, we have the potential to beat out pretty much every other […] Read moreCyber-Savvy Farmer
