CNS Canada — As thunderstorms and wet weather continue across Saskatchewan, so grows the number of lentil fields being put at risk of yield loss and potential abandonment. “Certainly in that west-central part of the province, Rosetown and other significant lentil-growing regions, we have seen some problems and crop failures due to too much moisture,” […] Read more
Abandonment of some lentil acres likely
Pulses’ popularity points to bright future
The boom in pulse acres may just be getting started thanks to rising demand, better varieties, and strong profitability
Reading Time: 3 minutes Only one hand shot up when Neil Whatley asked a recent crop tour near Castor if anyone was growing lentils this year. Luckily, a more rigorous Statistics Canada survey tells the real story — there are a whole lot of hands growing lentils this year. “There’s close to six million acres on the Prairies this […] Read more
Lentil harvest — and marketing — comes with a learning curve
Lentils stay green into harvest, but you don’t want to wait too long
Reading Time: 3 minutes With Alberta lentil acres more than doubling in 2016, this fall will be the first-ever lentil harvest for a good number of growers. The trick to doing it successfully? Patience, said Nevin Rosaasen, policy and program specialist with Alberta Pulse Growers. “Harvesting lentils can be tricky, and you need to be patient,” said Rosaasen. “Lentils […] Read more
Nominees sought for Pulse Industry Innovator Award
Deadline for nominations is Dec. 8
Reading Time: < 1 minute The Alberta Pulse Growers Commission is seeking nominees for its third annual Alberta Pulse Industry Innovator Award. An industry innovator is a person who has worked to help nurture and shape the pulse industry and contributed to the success of the industry as it is today. Innovators have contributed to the industry in one or […] Read more
Northern port supporters appeal to government
A consortium supporting continued operation of the Port of Churchill met with federal and provincial government representatives this week in search of ways to keep the port open. “This is an emergency for our community, our region and indeed our country,” Churchill Mayor Mike Spence in a release. “We’ve been told by farmers that there […] Read more
Canadian researcher named FAO pulse ambassador
Canada’s pulse crop sector is celebrating the appointment of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada researcher Joyce Boye as the FAO’s special ambassador for the International Year of the Pulses (IYP) 2016. Boye’s appointment was announced last month at a special event hosted by the FAO Liaison Office for North America in Washington, DC. “I am humbled […] Read more
Manitoba edible bean prospects hampered by wet weather
Commodity News Service Canada – Heavy rains in key edible bean growing areas of Manitoba over the past week likely cut into production prospects, although the market has yet to see any noticeable reaction from a pricing standpoint. Some bean growing areas of the province were hit harder than others, but “they’ve all had a bit […] Read more
Root rot rears its ugly head — and there’s no treatment
Peas are the biggest concern and even when fields look OK, root rot can still be there
Reading Time: 3 minutes Pulse acres have increased in Alberta this year, but unfortunately root rot has increased as well. “We’re hearing and seeing evidence of pretty extreme root rot in pulses, especially peas,” said Mike Harding, research scientist and plant pathologist with Alberta Agriculture and Forestry. “It doesn’t look like it’s going to be a great year for […] Read more
SunOpta pressured by shareholders after sluggish sales
Reuters – Canadian organic food company SunOpta Inc, already under pressure from U.S. hedge fund Tourbillon Capital Partners LP, is being prodded by a second activist shareholder to explore the sale of all or part of the company, according to sources familiar with the matter. Canadian hedge fund West Face Capital, which pushed SNC-Lavalin to sell […] Read more
Wet weather threatens record lentil crops
CNS Canada — An increase in Canadian lentil acreage this year comes as a blessing in disguise as wet conditions threaten some crops, worrying producers. Farmers in parts of the Prairies increased lentil seedings by 48 per cent, covering a record 5.8 million acres this year, according to Statistics Canada. While the increase in lentils […] Read more
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