The province received variable precipitation this spring which had pathologists and producers expecting the arrival of members of the leaf spot complex. However, Kelly Turkington with the Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada Lacombe Research and Development Centre said they may have been scorched by the July heat wave.
Cereal leaf disease minimal in Alberta but be aware of blown-in stripe rust
Prairie forecast: Heatwave coming to an end
Forecast issued July 24 covering July 24 to 31, 2024
Southern Alberta, southern and central Saskatchewan and Manitoba will see another day or two of hot weather before the northern low drags a cold front southward, which will bring an end to this extended heatwave.
Klassen: Feeder market leaps higher
For the week ending July 20, Western Canadian yearlings traded $8-$15 above prices from seven days earlier. Values for larger groups of quality calves were up $8 to $10 from a week earlier while run of the mill smaller packages were relatively unchanged.
Alberta crops holding their own for now
Alberta reported its crops were still in good shape despite temperatures pushing above 30 degrees Celsius and a lack of rain as of July 16. The report put the overall rating for the province’s crops at 74 per cent good to excellent, seven points above the five-year average.
ICE Weekly: Weather raising canola prices, trader says
Ken Ball of Ventum Financial Corp. in Winnipeg acknowledged that while dryness and warmer temperatures would be seen as beneficial in rain-drenched fields in Saskatchewan and Manitoba, heat stress on canola crops in Alberta would be aggravated. This has led traders to become a bit more bullish on the oilseed.
Prairie forecast: Prolonged heatwave expected
Forecast issued July 17, covering July 17 to 24, 2024
The second heatwave of the summer appears to be establishing itself across the Prairies. This heatwave looks to last the whole forecast period as a strong upper ridge builds over central North America. Intense heat will stretch from the southern U.S. to the Arctic ocean.
Alberta crop conditions steady at 74 per cent good-to-excellent
Warm temperatures helped keep crop conditions well above average in Alberta during the week ended July 9, although heat stress could become a concern without cooler temperatures and more precipitation in the weeks ahead, according to the latest provincial crop report.
Prairie forecast: More typical summer weather
Forecast issued July 10, covering July 10 to 17, 2024
For this forecast period, it looks like the upper ridge will slowly flatten and drop southwards as a series of weak lows track across the northern Prairies. This will result in a reduction in the extreme temperatures. Daytime highs and overnight lows should fall back to more seasonable values.
Klassen: Buyers tasting feeder cattle prices for fall run
For the week ending July 2, Western Canadian yearling prices were steady to $5 higher compared to seven days earlier for larger packages. Small groups of 800-pound-plus cattle were $10 to $15 discounted to pen-sized lots. Calf markets were relatively unchanged from the prior week, although volume was limited. There is significant open demand for yearlings and finishing feedlot operators are watching how prices develop.
Alberta crops doing quite well
Crops throughout Alberta stood at 75 per cent good to excellent as of July 2, according to the latest crop report from the provincial agriculture department. That was eight points above the five-year average despite cooler than normal temperatures and delayed crop development due to excessive rain for most of the province so far this year.