Crops
CNS Canada — Manitoba’s corn crop was nearly fully seeded ahead of crop insurance deadlines in late May, but frost events in Manitoba during the same time frame didn’t likely cause any damage. Parts of southwestern Manitoba saw a significant frost event on May 29 and 30, which killed off many canola crops and sparked […] Read more
Manitoba corn crops likely unscathed
Funding for forage research
Call for forage research proposals with $1 million in funding available
Reading Time: < 1 minute Alberta Beef Producers and the Alberta Livestock and Meat Agency have put out a call for forage research proposals, with $1 million in funding available. “Forage is the key driver of Alberta’s cattle industry competitiveness, accounting for two-thirds of costs,” Alberta Beef Producers said in a statement. The priority research areas eligible for funding are: […] Read more
Thinking of forward wheat pricing?
Farmers need to make sure the margin will cover their cost of production
Reading Time: < 1 minute Wheat prices have weakened since winter, world supply levels are bearish, and the loonie is up. “Many farmers are wondering, ‘What do I do now?’” said Neil Blue, market specialist at Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development. Farmers thinking about signing a forward pricing contract should first consider if the price will provide an acceptable margin […] Read more
Bayer postpones plant opening to meet canola seed demand
Frost, wind, moisture and even flea beetles have already devastated Prairie canola crops this season, leading to unprecedented reseeding — and seed companies are struggling to meet the extra demand. Bayer CropScience announced Thursday it will postpone Friday’s scheduled grand opening of its new Lethbridge, Alta. seed processing plant, so staff can focus on meeting […] Read more
U.S. grains: Weather concerns prompt short-covering in wheat
Chicago | Reuters –– Chicago Board of Trade wheat futures jumped 2.3 per cent on Thursday, posting their third gain in the last four sessions as some weather concerns provided the impetus for traders to cover short positions. The forecast for more rain, which could slow the tail end of seeding in parts of the […] Read more
Prairie farmers scramble for canola seed after frost
Winnipeg | Reuters –– Western Canadian farmers are scrambling to find scarce canola seed as they reseed crops snuffed out by frost and insects. Farmers in the region have until mid- to late June to plant ahead of insurance deadlines, but the later they sow canola, the higher the risk of damage later from heat […] Read more
Potato and tomato growers warned to keep watch for late blight
Monitor for symptoms in tomato transplants and in early-emerging potato plants
Reading Time: < 1 minute There has been a great deal of concern in Alberta in the last few years about late blight, a serious disease that mainly affects potatoes and tomatoes. Favourable conditions for disease development have resulted in multiple outbreaks of late blight in commercial market gardens, as well as urban potato and tomato crops throughout parts of […] Read more
Lethbridge feed barley feels slight lift from canola
CNS Canada — It seems the recent surge in canola has carried over to the feed barley market near Lethbridge. A weekend frost and other issues saw canola futures jump sharply in recent days, and according to trader Jim Beusekom at Market Place Commodities near Lethbridge, that rally has given strength to the feed barley […] Read more
CBOT weekly outlook: Soybeans to break below US$9 before summer half over
CNS Canada –– The Chicago Board of Trade (CBOT) soybean market showed some short-covering-related firmness during the week ended Wednesday, but the bias is still pointed lower for the oilseed. “We could actually see the beans trade down to the low $9, then to an $8 handle. Maybe $8.90 would be my initial target for […] Read more
ICE weekly outlook: Canola needs more fuel to keep rising
CNS Canada –– ICE Futures Canada canola contracts climbed sharply higher during the week ended Wednesday, but additional gains will need some more bullish news as the market takes a breather and consolidates. A combination of a rally in CBOT soyoil, a weaker Canadian dollar, fund buying and a weekend frost all contributed to the […] Read more