Crops
CNS Canada — Forage crops in Saskatchewan and Alberta are badly in need of rain, while alfalfa is already being cut in Manitoba, a testament to the difference in moisture levels across Western Canada. The majority of the snow in Alberta was gone by the end of March, according to the chairwoman of the Alberta […] Read more
Prairies’ forage a tale of mixed moisture levels
Flax market falling in anticipation of large new crop
CNS Canada –– Spot prices for flax in Western Canada have dropped off in the last couple of days, reacting to expectations of large new-crop production in other parts of the world. “If you look at the main line companies, they’ve gone from C$13 to $14 a bushel, down to $11.60,” said Grant Fehr, flaxseed […] Read more
U.S. grains: Wheat slips to one-week low on raised supply outlook
Chicago | Reuters — U.S. wheat futures extended losses to the lowest levels in a week on Thursday, pressured by gains in the dollar and after the U.S. Department of Agriculture raised its supply outlook. Soybeans and corn also eased as the stronger greenback made U.S. goods less attractive in international markets. The dollar climbed […] Read more
U.S. agency sees El Nino likely to last into 2016
New York | Reuters — A U.S. weather forecaster warned on Thursday the El Nino weather pattern that can cause droughts in Asia and heavy rain in the Americas will likely last into next year, longer than previously expected and potentially roiling crops and commodity prices. The Climate Prediction Center (CPC), an agency of the […] Read more
Warming Pacific waters seen fuelling lengthy El Nino
Sydney | Reuters –– Pacific Ocean temperatures continue to warm, supporting El Nino weather conditions for the rest of 2015, Australia’s Bureau of Meteorology said Tuesday. An El Nino can have devastating consequences for agriculture globally, causing heavy rains and floods in South America and scorching weather in Asia and as far away as east […] Read more
Iraq recaptures some grain silos seized by Islamic State
London | Reuters — Iraq has re-taken control of some grain silos previously seized by Islamic State, but most of the grain held cannot be used as militants aim to destroy sites when retreating, a senior grain official said Tuesday. Islamic State, the breakaway al Qaeda group, which declared an Islamic caliphate across parts of […] Read more
GPS firm buys sprayer boom control maker NORAC
Saskatoon tech firm NORAC Systems, best known today for its automated boom height control systems for field sprayers, is set to become part of a major U.S. GPS systems firm. California-based Topcon Positioning Group announced Wednesday it will buy NORAC for an undisclosed sum, as the latest of Topcon’s recent plays in the precision ag […] Read more
Richardson buying bigger margarine market share
Prairie grain and agrifood firm Richardson International is going long on shortening with a deal for major Canadian margarine firm Golden Gate. Privately-held, Winnipeg-based Richardson is no stranger to the margarine business as the owner of the Canola Harvest brand, having bought Canbra Foods in 1999 and Innovative Foods in 2011. Owned and operated by […] Read more
ICE weekly outlook: Canola mixed after wild week
CNS Canada — ICE Futures Canada canola contracts ended narrowly mixed for the week ended Wednesday, but not before shooting above the $500 per tonne mark amid concerns over persistent dryness across a large portion of Western Canada. “If we don’t get those rains or if they’re disappointing then I think this thing is going […] Read more
Thirsty Alta. crops could use a drink, analyst says
CNS Canada — Alberta’s dry weather and cooler nights have hit some crops in the province hard, but one specialist says he isn’t worried yet. Neil Whatley, a crop specialist with Alberta Agriculture and Forestry in Stettler, said only some parts of the province have seen rain. “There’s no general rain, just showers. Where there’s […] Read more