Crops
Reading Time: 3 minutes Agriculture is leading the charge into research which could ultimately mean flood insurance being available for all Albertans. As the massive flooding of 2013 highlighted, there is no insurance for such disasters. In fact, Canada is the only one of the G-8 nations without such coverage. ‘Why not?’ is the question that always arises when […] Read more
Flood simulation model promises a big payback
Insurers won’t issue flood insurance until they have a better way to calculate risks — and the flood simulation model does that
U.S. grains: Soybeans slide as USDA forecasts ballooning stocks
Chicago | Reuters –– Chicago Board of Trade soybean futures fell nearly two per cent on Tuesday after the U.S. Department of Agriculture projected domestic stocks would rise to 500 million bushels by the end of the 2015-16 marketing year, a nine-year high if realized. Corn ended almost unchanged after sliding to its lowest level […] Read more
Cold, snowfall not likely to hurt Alta. crops
CNS Canada — Cold temperatures that brought some snow and frost to some parts of Alberta overnight won’t likely cause much damage to crops. “Most of our crops aren’t up yet; there’s been a fair bit of seeding going on, but I haven’t seen any emerged crops yet. So, it’s pretty much a non-issue at […] Read more
Feed barley feeling ‘downward sag,’ trader says
CNS Canada — Feedlot demand for cash barley is weakening slightly as cattle producers prepare to turn animals loose on pastures, but prices are still hanging in there, according to one participant. “Farmers aren’t really selling a whole lot at these levels,” said Allen Pirness of Market Place Commodities in the feedlot alley near Lethbridge, […] Read more
Cash wheat market up slightly with U.S. futures
CNS Canada — Cash bids for Prairie wheat were steady to slightly higher during the week ended Friday, finding support from strength in U.S. wheat futures markets. Average Canada Western Red Spring (CWRS) wheat prices were steady to C$3.50 per tonne higher, with bids ranging from about $186 per tonne in north-central Saskatchewan to $204 […] Read more
Crop pest and disease watch for 2015
Some of the usual suspects could be back this year, especially if you are pushing your rotations
Reading Time: 6 minutes The new growing season is underway, with a combination of old and new challenges and opportunities. Alberta Farmer reporter Alexis Kienlen asked some experts about things that producers should look out for this growing season. Here’s what they had to say: Plant diseases It’s difficult for plant pathologists to predict the possibility of diseases, said Kelly […] Read more
U.S. grains: Soybeans, corn fall on planting pace
Washington | Reuters — U.S. corn and soybean futures fell on Monday, pressured by expectations that a government report will show the pace of planting of both commodities was well ahead of the typical schedule. Wheat futures were mixed, with hard red winter wheat contracts supported by concerns about the crop in the U.S. Plains […] Read more
Wheats in CWRS, CPSR classes up for review
Owners of Canada Western Red Spring (CWRS) and Canada Prairie Spring Red (CPSR) wheat varieties have until month’s end to decide whether to put their products through more trials, or let their varieties be reclassified. The Canadian Grain Commission on Friday announced a review of the CWRS and CPSR wheat classes will start immediately, citing […] Read more
Flaxseed acres likely to top official estimates
CNS Canada — The relative strength in flaxseed bids, recent uncertainty in other cropping options and a general need to mitigate risk could see a few more acres sway towards the oilseed in Western Canada this spring, according to some market watchers. Statistics Canada recently forecast flaxseed plantings for 2015-16 at 1.63 million acres, which […] Read more
Variable-rate irrigation on the rise in Alberta
Not everyone is convinced the technology is where it needs to be, but advocates say ‘interest is growing exponentially’
Reading Time: 3 minutes Southern Alberta’s irrigation system is on the cusp of going very high tech. Now that crop yield monitoring is commonplace and variable-rate crop-input technology making inroads, ag equipment companies and early adopters of advanced technology are setting their sights on micromanaging irrigation. “Variable-rate irrigation (VRI) is certainly here to stay,” said Jeff Bronsch, president of […] Read more