CNS Canada — Following are a few highlights in the Canadian and world feed grains markets on Monday, Oct. 19. • CBOT corn futures were down by two to three cents per bushel at midday Monday, as harvest pressure in the U.S. and improving corn conditions in the Black Sea region weighed on prices. • […] Read more
Feed: El Nino pressures barley crop down under
Hay prices stabilize in Sask., Man.
CNS Canada –– Timely rains have drastically improved the forage crop outlooks for Saskatchewan and Manitoba, while also putting prices back into their normal ranges. “Skyrocketing hay prices have stabilized… supplies are good,” said Terry Kowalchuk, a provincial forage crop specialist in Regina. Prices are mostly back down into the $80-$100 per tonne range, he […] Read more
Feed: Australian drought hurts grain production
CNS Canada — Following are a few highlights in the Canadian and world feed grains markets on Thursday, Oct. 15. • CBOT corn futures were posting small losses at midday Thursday, with the December contract quoted at US$3.77 per bushel, as the advancing U.S. harvest and relatively favourable yield reports weighed on values. • Drought […] Read more
Feed: Russia may plant more feed, U.K. less
CNS Canada — Following are a few highlights in the Canadian and world feed grains markets on Wednesday, Oct. 14. • CBOT corn futures were down by two to three cents per bushel (US$) at midday Wednesday, as the advancing U.S. harvest and relatively favourable yield reports weighed on values. • Barley futures on India’s […] Read more
Boosting hay stand conditions
Reading Time: < 1 minute Many hay stands, especially older ones, are in poor condition following this year’s drought and in need of a fertility program, says a provincial forage specialist. “Doing it in spring is good, but although doing it in fall might lose a little bit of the nitrogen component, it allows for a very early effect on […] Read more
Straw and chaff are a good — but incomplete — diet
Provincial forage specialist Barry Yaremcio offers guidelines for mineral supplementation
Reading Time: 3 minutes Turning cows out onto stubble fields is a good feed choice, but there are some things to consider, says a provincial beef and forage specialist. Cattle “pick and choose” what they want when grazing stubble, slough hay, or mature hay growing along the fences and headlands, said Barry Yaremcio. Straw, chaff, and overmature grass hays […] Read more
Tapping into nutrients and tackling compaction with tillage radishes
The forage brassica has big-time potential for rejuvenating tired, compacted pastures — but there’s a learning curve
Reading Time: 3 minutes How effective are tillage radishes in rejuvenating poor soil and pastures? Staff at Clearwater County have been experimenting with tillage radishes to see if their theoretical benefits hold up in the real world. The fast-growing brassica can be used in forages as a cover crop and as feed for cattle; its long taproot can open […] Read more
Syrian war spurs first withdrawal from doomsday seed vault
Oslo | Reuters –– Syria’s civil war has prompted the first withdrawal of seeds from a “doomsday” vault built in an Arctic mountainside to safeguard global food supplies, officials said Monday. The seeds, including samples of wheat, barley and grasses suited to dry regions, have been requested by researchers elsewhere in the Middle East to […] Read more
What to ask when purchasing hay
Reading Time: < 1 minute Hay supplies and prices have been at a premium, but when purchasing hay it is important to keep quality in mind. There is always a risk when buying hay from unknown sources, including poor nutritional quality; a different species mixture than you expected; excessive dust or mould; or a high proportion of weeds. Here are […] Read more
Foothills Fescue Range Health Assessment Training offered
Reading Time: < 1 minute The Foothills Restoration Forum is holding two hands-on sessions on conducting range health assessments. The Foothills Fescue Range Health Assessment Training will be held on Sept. 15 in Stavely and the Mixedgrass and Dry Mixedgrass Range Health Assessment Training session will be held in the Cypress Hills/Manyberries area on Sept. 17. The courses will focus on the […] Read more