Reading Time: 3 minutes Fertilizer prices dropped over winter but remain a powder keg, and even a slight spark could blow the fallout in either direction. “There’s so much geopolitical activity in the world these days, it’s hard to know what’s happening on a given day,” said Neil Blue, crops market analyst with Alberta Agriculture and Irrigation. “Lately there’s […] Read more
Global events pressure already dicey fertilizer market
There are lots of reasons for optimism but the situation could change in a heartbeat, analysts say
Farmland values exceed expectations
Ontario leads the country with 19.4 per cent increase
Average farmland prices were up 12.8 per cent in Canada in 2022, the largest increase seen since 2014 when the increase was 14.3 per cent. The increase follows gains of 8.3 per cent in 2021 and 5.4 per cent in 2020. J.P. Gervais, FCC’s chief economist, said the numbers were a little bit of a […] Read more
The autumn weather was lovely — especially for grasshoppers
Those areas that had the pests last year will likely see more this year, but there are ways to reduce their numbers
Reading Time: 4 minutes Compare Alberta grasshopper survey maps from the past two years and one thing becomes clear: If you had grasshoppers last year, there’s a good chance you will this year, too — and likely in higher numbers. “When you look at the map from 2021 and compare it to the survey that was done last year, […] Read more
Now’s the time for a second look a cattle price insurance, says expert
Livestock Price Insurance and AgriStability make sense to enter when cattle prices are up
Reading Time: 4 minutes Glacier FarmMedia – Livestock Price Insurance has never looked better for cattle producers, says a farm management specialist. Cattle prices have risen steadily over the past 12 months and are approaching the highs seen in 2014 and 2015, said Ben Hamm, an official with Manitoba Agriculture. “We saw some significant profitability in 2014-2015,” Hamm said […] Read more
Farm equipment demand to remain high, FCC says
Low inventories, high commodity prices and a good crop place pressure on demand
Demand for farm equipment should remain high through 2023 despite higher interest rates and projected price increases, according to Farm Credit Canada. The federal ag lender has released an outlook on the farm equipment market that analyzed data and trends that affect the market. While the outlook attributes much of the current demand to relatively […] Read more
Prairie grain shipping record a hopeful sign, but will it continue?
Elevator association says CN’s record week is encouraging but winter movement must stay strong
Reading Time: 3 minutes Glacier FarmMedia – CN’s record-setting week for moving Prairie grain is impressive but it’s consistency that matters in grain transport, says the Western Grain Elevators Association. “Even an amateur golfer can hit a hole in one once in a while, but the pros hit a good ball consistently,” said Wade Sobkowich, the association’s executive director. […] Read more
These are anything but normal times in the markets, says analyst
There’s not one, but three, powerful new factors at play — war, tight supplies, and rising interest rates
Reading Time: 4 minutes Glacier FarmMedia – We live in strange times, says a veteran market analyst. “I look at these markets as bipolar in some cases,” said Mike Jubinville, senior analyst with MarketsFarm. “On one hand, the macroeconomics have potentially bearish demand implications as fears of a recessionary environment take hold. But on the other hand, we have […] Read more
Group brings many viewpoints together in pest battle
Prairie Biovigilance Network promises proactive approach to managing weeds, insects and disease
Reading Time: 3 minutes Glacier FarmMedia – A new initiative aims to boost surveillance of — and the response to — pests affecting Prairie agriculture. The Prairie Biovigilance Network comprises a group of experts in plant pathology, entomology, weed science, economics and agronomy led by AgCanada research scientist Brent McCallum. Researchers examine the pests that are causing the problem […] Read more
The price of farmland is defying interest rate hikes – so far
Buyers still bid up land but latest figures don’t reflect full impact of higher lending rates
Reading Time: 3 minutes Despite significant interest rate hikes, the price of farmland kept shooting up in the first half of the year. Land prices jumped 5.9 per cent in Alberta in the first six months of 2022, according to the latest data from Farm Credit Canada, and that was smallest rise on the Prairies. Prices were up an […] Read more
Farmland prices remain buoyant in the face of interest rate hikes
Despite significant interest rate hikes, Farm Credit Canada (FCC) is reporting continued increases in farmland values across Canada. According to the FCC report, Manitoba’s average farmland values increased by 6 per cent in the first six months of 2022. Alberta values were just behind that at 5.9 per cent and Saskatchewan was just above the […] Read more
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