MarketsFarm — Wheat bids in Western Canada for the week ended Thursday spiked sharply for Canada Western Red Spring (CWRS) and Canada Prairie Spring Red (CPSR) wheats, while gains for Canada Western Amber Durum (CWAD) were much more subdued. Steep increases in U.S. wheat markets supported values — as did the Canadian dollar, by losing […] Read more
Prairie cash wheat: Spring wheat bids spike
Durum bids up moderately
Western Canada lightning strikes up tenfold, stoking fires
Vancouver | Reuters — Lightning strikes in Western Canada over the past two days soared nearly tenfold from the same time a year ago, triggered in part by a record-breaking heat wave, meteorologists said, warning of more strikes over the weekend that could further stoke forest fires fanned by high winds. Over 710,000 lightning events […] Read more
Feed weekly outlook: Prices dip in Alberta, steady to higher elsewhere
MarketsFarm — Prices for feed barley and wheat in Alberta pulled back a little this week — and it wasn’t because the province has generally received more rain than the other two Prairie provinces. “There hasn’t been the demand as we typically have at this time of year,” Erin Harakal, senior trader with Agfinity in […] Read more
Producers aren’t toasting tax change for small distillers
Province changes rule so small-scale distillers no longer have to source grain from Alberta
Reading Time: 3 minutes A provincial government decision to allow small distillers to source grain from outside Alberta is having “unintended consequences” on the province’s cereal growers. “In any value-added strategy, you need to have a focus on acquiring your product from the local producers,” said Tom Steve, general manager of Alberta Wheat and Barley. “So if we’re going […] Read more
They’re more creepy than cuddly — but bats need your help
The insect-gobbling critters can eat their own weight in bugs each night, including farm pests
Reading Time: 3 minutes Bats aren’t pretty and their reputation isn’t either. But the insect-gobbling critters are friends of farmers — and they need help from producers, says the co-ordinator of the Alberta Community Bat Program. “In Canada, all of our bats are eating bugs — insects and spiders,” said biologist Cory Olson. “Their diets are fairly diverse, but […] Read more
It’s (once again) go time for a host of organizations in rural Alberta
Reading Time: 4 minutes Alberta’s agricultural societies, 4-H and Open Farm Days are all gearing up for Alberta’s reopening. “We are seeing our ag societies start to fire up,” said Tim Carson, executive director of the Alberta Association of Agricultural Societies. They are also scrambling a bit as two months ago, there was no indication the province was going to be […] Read more
Beekeepers got knocked down but they got up again
Reading Time: 3 minutes Despite many tribulations, beekeepers are optimistic about getting a good honey crop this year After two terrible, no-good, very bad years, Alberta’s beekeepers are feeling a little more optimistic. Poor weather severely reduced production in 2019, then came high overwintering losses, then the pandemic brought a maelstrom of troubles, and then more bad weather. “Last […] Read more
Klassen: Yearling prices consolidate, calf values soften
Compared to last week, western Canadian yearling prices were relatively unchanged; however, calves weighing 500 to 700 lbs. were $2-$4 lower. Featherlight bawlers under 500 lbs. were down $6-$8 from seven days earlier. Strong feedlot buying interest supported quality groups of yearlings. Feed barley prices were down $5-$10 per tonne from last week while the […] Read more
Prolonged heat wave breaks Canadian temperature records
MarketsFarm — An extreme heat wave affecting all four western provinces, the shores of the Mackenzie River in the Northwest Territories as well as Watson Lake, Yukon, is expected to persist for a week. The “heat dome,” a high-pressure system trapping warmer air, has affected British Columbia the most. The village of Lytton, about 160 […] Read more
McCain Foods launches aggressive regenerative ag strategy
Global french fry giant will work with its potato growers to adopt regenerative ag practices over the next decade
Reading Time: 4 minutes Global french fry giant will work with its potato growers to adopt regenerative ag practices over the next decadeCyber-Savvy Farmer
