The sunflower harvest in North America is underway, and so far producers have reported above-average yields. "The Canadian sunflower crop has been yielding great," said Mike Durand, sales and purchasing manager with Nestibo Agra at Deloraine, Man. "The poorest yield I’ve heard so far was just over 1,800 pounds per acre, and some are yielding […] Read more
North America’s sunflower crop seeing strong yields
Man. grain growers hurt in Puratone fallout
One of Manitoba’s largest hog producers, Puratone Corp., may have filed for creditor protection last week, but isn’t the only one feeling the pain. At least a dozen grain producers in Manitoba who delivered grain to Puratone Corp. prior to Sept. 12 that have yet to be paid, said Doug Chorney, president of Keystone Agricultural […] Read more
Cattle industry holding up despite high feed costs
High feed costs have caused severe problems in the Canadian hog industry this year, but the cattle industry doesn’t seem to be following in its footsteps. Two large hog production facilities in Canada had to file for financial help in mid-September because operation costs were becoming too expensive. High feed costs paired with falling hog […] Read more
Weather damages canaryseed crops
Canaryseed production in Canada will most likely be down for 2012-13 because adverse weather has damaged some crops, an industry official said. Statistics Canada estimated canaryseed production to be at 146,400 tonnes for 2012-13, but that number is expected to be lower because of damaging weather. Canadian canaryseed production totaled 102,300 tonnes in 2011. "A […] Read more
Lower Manitoba oat yields boosting cash market
Farmers in Manitoba are nearly finished the oat harvest and have reported lower-than-anticipated yields, which has helped to boost cash bids for oats in the province, an industry official said. "A lot of Manitoba farmers reported yields in the 80 to 100 bushel per acre range, which is a little less than normal," said Warren […] Read more
Lack of demand keeps Prairie flax cash bids flat
Cash bids for flax in Western Canada have remained flat, as a lack of demand has prevented prices from moving to higher ground, an industry official said. Grant Fehr, flax and special crops manager with Keystone Grain at Winkler, Man., said some key exporters of Canadian flax haven’t been in the game yet this year. […] Read more
Lagging ICE canola spread to attract more interest
Canola futures on ICE Futures Canada are lagging behind the U.S. soy complex, which is expected to bring more buying interest into the market, an industry official said. "The current crush margins are attractive to a buyer; on paper they are quite excellent," said Ken Ball, a broker with Union Securities in Winnipeg. "The theoretical […] Read more
Feed prices could force hog operations to close
Some hog producers in Canada may have to make the tough decision to shut down production because high feed prices could make operation costs too expensive, an industry official said. Drought conditions damaged a lot of feed grain crops in the U.S. Midwest, which caused prices there to rally and the Canadian market has followed […] Read more
Prairie lentil sales at a standstill
Lentil sales in Western Canada are at a standstill as buyers aren’t willing to pay what farmers want and producers are willing to wait until they are, industry officials said. "Farmers are fine with putting their lentils in the bin right now and just waiting it out," said Shawn Madsen, operations manager with Southland Pulse […] Read more
Wet weather to delay Prairie harvest
A pattern of rain that will fall across Western Canada from late August into early September is expected to delay the harvest of some field crops, an industry official said. But, the expected precipitation probably won’t be heavy enough to cause any crop damage, said Drew Lerner, weather specialist with Kansas City-based World Weather Inc. […] Read more
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
