Moscow | Reuters — Russia’s agriculture minister sees no reason for now to introduce an export duty on wheat and is not considering one, he was quoted as saying by RIA news agency on Tuesday. A meeting at the agriculture ministry on Friday fuelled speculation among traders that Russia could consider grain export curbs once […] Read more
Russian ag minister sees no need for wheat export duty, for now
Proper combine adjustment pays off now and later
You don’t want fusarium-damaged kernels lowering grade or spreading spores, says crop specialist
Reading Time: 3 minutes Producers need to make combine adjustments to prevent kernels damaged by fusarium head blight from going into storage, says a provincial crop specialist. Harvest management of fusarium-damaged kernels (FDK) will improve the grade of a cereal crop, said Neil Whatley. “Many FDKs — especially in wheat — are smaller, lighter in weight, and more shrunken […] Read more
Manitoba winter wheat yields down
CNS Canada — As the winter wheat harvest finishes up in Manitoba, initial reports are that yields are lower than in years past. “It was a disadvantage with the winter and with the weather conditions this summer it’s been pretty dry… so between the two, it’s kind of reduced yields,” said Doug Martin, chairman of […] Read more
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
Durum markets rattled as harvest set to start
CNS Canada — With the durum wheat harvest rapidly approaching in Western Canada, many analysts wonder how the dry conditions and extreme heat will affect yields. Yet there is one aspect about this year’s crop they already know. Increased seeded acreage this spring, and market access problems hindering longer-term durum sales, mean farmers might want […] Read more
Feed weekly outlook: Shortages expected for Prairie barley
CNS Canada — Sales have slowed for feed grain buyers in Western Canada, as concerns continue to mount about feed shortages. “The confidence from the farmer is not (there anymore). He just wants to see some crop come into his bin. So we’ve definitely slowed in our buying,” said Brandon Motz, sales manager at CorNine […] Read more
Some North Dakota wheat rejected for ergot, merchants say
Chicago | Reuters –– Elevated levels of the grain fungus ergot are showing up in spring wheat being harvested in south-central North Dakota, prompting grain elevators to impose discounts and even turn some truckloads away, grain merchants said Tuesday. Ergot is a common grain fungus but some major buyers, including top global wheat importer Egypt, […] Read more
This year’s back-up plan could work out nicely
Wheat acres in Alberta jumped this year but the move appears to be well timed
Reading Time: 3 minutes With the shine off pulses and disease issues constraining canola acres, wheat has become the go-to alternative for Alberta farmers this year. StatsCan estimates 6.27 million acres of spring wheat were planted in the province this year — 405,000 more acres than last year and the most since 2013. Add in durum and winter wheat, […] Read more
Drought slashes EU wheat, export surplus to be cut
Hamburg | Reuters – Drought and a heatwave that scorched fields in northern Europe may cut the European Union’s wheat export surplus and the bloc will need to consume more of its own grains, experts said on Friday. French analysts Strategie Grains forecast a 10 percent smaller EU soft wheat harvest this year, with northern […] Read more
Early harvest pressures Prairie barley prices
CNS Canada — Barley prices in Western Canada are falling as an early harvest is weighing on values. “Prices have moderated here,” said Allen Pirness of Market Place Commodities Ltd. Lethbridge, Alta. The surprise rally from last week ended as quickly as it began. Prices which started last week at about C$250 per tonne were […] Read more