Reading Time: 3 minutes U.S. officials say this country’s grain-grading system is to blame for why American farmers living close to the border can’t take advantage of higher Canadian wheat prices. But Canadian officials deny claims that Canada’s quality control system discriminates against imported U.S. wheat. Canadian officials concede imported U.S. wheat formally receives the lowest grade in the […] Read more
U.S. pressuring Canada on grain grading
U.S. grain bought on spec, not grade, say Canadian grain industry watchers
Feed barley due for spring rally
Barley has been undervalued compared to feed wheat, but any price increases are likely to be modest
Reading Time: 2 minutes Feed barley in Western Canada usually sees a spring rally at this time of year, although the uptrend this year will be limited by large supplies still overhanging the market. Feed grains had trended lower through late February and into early March, with feed wheat leading to the downside. Losses in feed wheat spilled over […] Read more
Brewers toast Australian gluten-free barley
Sydney | Reuters — Australian scientists say they have developed the world’s first WHO-approved “gluten-free” barley, a breakthrough for global beer manufacturers. They have had to use alternatives to barley such as rice and sorghum to brew gluten-free beer. Australia’s Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO) said April 8 it had sold 70 tonnes […] Read more
Don’t graze cattle too early this spring
It’s tempting to start grazing when pastures green up, but nutrient quality is poor
Reading Time: 2 minutes Pasture recovery is an important topic on the heels of last year’s dry conditions, particularly given this year’s poor snow cover in the central and southern regions of Alberta. “If we have a dry spring, producers will need to balance potential feed shortages with the need to protect their recovering pastures,” said provincial forage and […] Read more
Crop insurance rates down in 2016
Malt barley insurable for the first time and organic production is also eligible for coverage this year
Reading Time: < 1 minute Agriculture Financial Services Corporation has made six enhancements to the AgriInsurance programs, including a first of its kind malt barley insurance product. The corporation, provincial and federal governments, and producer groups worked together to make the enhancements based on producer feedback. The malt barley insurance will have a premium price compared to feed barley, but […] Read more
Feed barley due for spring rally
CNS Canada –– Feed barley in Western Canada usually sees a spring rally at this time of year, although the uptrend this year will be limited by large supplies still overhanging the market. Feed grains had trended lower through late February and into early March, with feed wheat leading to the downside. Losses in feed […] Read more
Don’t let down your guard when it comes to fusarium
Provincial crop specialist says seed testing and using seed treatment are critical
Reading Time: 2 minutes Fusarium head blight outbreaks can cause significant losses in grain yield and grain quality, while also resulting in the production of mycotoxin-Deoxynyvalenol that affects livestock feed, the baking and milling quality of wheat and the malting and brewing qualities of malt barley. That’s why producers need to be vigilant, even if its rate of infection […] Read more
Save on winter cattle feeding costs
Feeding oats or barley along with straw can be much cheaper than hay
Reading Time: 2 minutes Switching from hay to a combination of straw and grain prior to calving can save about $350 a head during the winter, says provincial beef and forage specialist Barry Yaremcio. “The question then becomes: Is it cheaper to feed oats or barley to the cows?” The answer to that question depends on the price and […] Read more
No ‘silver bullets’ for fusarium — but you can reduce your risk
Longer crop rotations, resistant varieties, and — as a last resort — fungicides are the partial weapons in a weak arsenal
Reading Time: 4 minutes When it comes to fusarium head blight, cereal growers tend to suffer from NIMBY syndrome — ‘not in my backyard.’ “Over the years, we’ve heard many comments that ‘it’s a Manitoba problem — it’ll never be a problem here in Alberta,’” federal research scientist Kelly Turkington said at the recent Agronomy Update conference. “But in […] Read more
Trade deal could be a ‘huge’ shot in the arm for barley acres
Barley acres have been plunging, but the Pacific trade pact could be a game changer
Reading Time: 3 minutes Barley could get a major boost from the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade agreement. “The potential to value add on a feed product, which is usually considered to be the bottom end of the market, is huge here, and that’s much better than exporting a raw product,” said Doug Robertson, president of the Western Barley Growers Association. […] Read more
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