Crops
Chicago/Reuters – U.S. corn futures posted their biggest weekly decline in a year on improving prospects in the Midwest during the crop’s key growth phase, raising expectations for a bumper harvest. Soybean and wheat futures also fell on chart-based selling and spillover pressure from outside commodity markets, including metals and crude oil. “It’s now making […] Read more
U.S. grains: Corn posts biggest weekly loss in a year; soy, wheat also sag
Good news on berthas but watch for hoppers
Reading Time: < 1 minute In his weekly Call of the Land report, Alberta Agriculture insect management specialist Scott Meers says there is good news on bertha armyworm in the province this year. “We’re finding very few bertha armyworm moths, which means we’re not expecting any trouble with them this year,” he said. Only three traps have been found with […] Read more
Get the facts on wheat midge
Reading Time: < 1 minute Wheat midge is about half the size of a mosquito and bright orange, but is commonly confused with lauxanids, which are a little bigger and yellowish brown. Wheat midge lays eggs in the wheat head and the larvae will then feed on the wheat kernels. One midge for every four to five wheat heads can […] Read more
Good bugs save you big bucks when wheat midge arrives
Wheat midge has moved into Alberta. but two natural predators will be on your side if you foster their populations
Reading Time: 2 minutes Wheat midge, a non-native pest that feeds on developing wheat kernels, is a serious economic threat to farmers, especially in Manitoba and Saskatchewan. But the pest is now a growing problem in Alberta, including Peace River country, and starting to attack Montana’s wheat crops. However, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada researchers know ways to reduce its […] Read more
Keep watch for fusarium graminearum in cereal crops
The fungal disease is established in southern Alberta in areas especially under irrigation
Reading Time: 2 minutes Fusarium graminearum (Fg) is a serious fungal disease, affecting yield and quality. Recent surveys indicate Fg is established in southern Alberta and traces are present in central and northern regions of the province. “When weather conditions are favourable for infection, and in irrigated cropping systems, an in-crop fungicide application may be considered, but only provides […] Read more
U.S. grains: U.S. soy falls on improving crop prospects; corn, wheat firm
Chicago/Reuters – U.S. soybean futures fell on Thursday as improving weather in major Midwest growing areas increased expectations of ample production, traders said. Wheat futures firmed on a round of bargain buying and technical support, snapping a seven session losing streak for the front-month contract. Corn also edged higher, with the gains in wheat sparking […] Read more
Look to crop insurance first: Ritz
While many crops across Western Canada are withering under intensifying drought, Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz says ad hoc programs are not the answer should producers require assistance. However, tax deferral will be available for affected ranchers. “We don’t need ad hoc (assistance), we’ve got a very comprehensive system of business risk management,” said Gerry Ritz, speaking […] Read more
Rain too late to bring back yields: CWB crop tour
Eastern Saskatchewan — no recovery seen By Jade Markus, Commodity News Service Canada Grenfell, Sask. — As the CWB crop tour sees an increasing number of wheat fields suffering from dryness earlier this season, it brings the question: will rain help? According to farmers, the answer is likely “no.” Fields of wheat in the south […] Read more
Durum faring better in SE Alta: CWB tour
Skiff, Alberta / Reuters — Durum, the wheat used to make pasta, has fared better against dry conditions than other major crops in a pocket of southeastern Alberta, crop tour scouts noted on Wednesday. Durum is typically planted in drier soils than spring wheat, but fields still looked surprisingly decent, given some of the driest […] Read more
Crops varied in eastern Sask: CWB tour
Carlyle, Sask. — The effect of this years dry weather is becoming increasingly apparent as the CWB crop tour moves into Saskatchewan. Lack of moisture is visible in southwestern Manitoba and southeastern Saskatchewan, the CWB tour found. However, dryness hasn’t been all bad in some areas — participants from the 2014 crop tour recall a […] Read more