Reading Time: 5 minutes David Derwin has one piece of advice for farmers wondering where markets will go in 2017: “Expect the unexpected.” “A lot of the marketing advice out there is about trying to guess where the market is going to go, and I think too much time is spent there,” said Derwin, an investment adviser with PI […] Read more
Chuck the crystal ball — protect your downside
If you’re worried about missing big rallies and don’t like delivery commitments, then consider options, says David Derwin
Canola may soon be able to text you when it needs to be sprayed
Nano-biosensors are more accurate than checklists at determining when to spray for sclerotinia
Reading Time: 2 minutes An Alberta researcher has found a tiny way to solve a big problem for canola farmers — using nano-biosensors to detect sclerotinia stem rot in the field, eliminating the need for visual scouting. “Sclerotinia stem rot is one of the most devastating diseases in canola farming, and scientists have worked very hard to try and […] Read more
Grain elevators reporting spike in heated canola
More heated canola is being reported so producers should check for heated seeds by coring bins or transferring their grain to another bin
Reading Time: 3 minutes Growers, check your bins — grain terminals across Alberta have reported a spike in heated canola, and your cereals may be in danger as well. “I did a sample of canola two or three weeks ago and it already had four per cent of heated in it, and canola can deteriorate very quickly,” Larry Michta […] Read more
Canola contestant reaps 81 bushels an acre
Reading Time: < 1 minute Alberta producers finished one-two-three in this year’s ‘Canola 100’ competition. The contest encourages producers to target 100-bushel-an-acre canola and is meant to “inspire farmers towards greater innovation.” Mike Nelson of Wetaskiwin averaged 81.43 bushels an acre followed by Merle Klassen of Linden (76.63 bu/ac) and Curtis Harrish of Calmar (74.52 bu/ac). Sixteen fields (the minimum […] Read more
Deadline extended for cash advances
Applications will be accepted until March 2017
Reading Time: < 1 minute Farmers unable to harvest their 2016 crops may be eligible for a cash advance under a revised application deadline. The Canadian Canola Growers Association will accept new seeded cash advance applications until March 2017. “This deadline change applies equally to farmers already enrolled in the 2016 program, as well as those who are applying for […] Read more
Canola nearing chart resistance
CNS Canada –– ICE Futures Canada canola contracts have trended higher for the past two weeks, with a rally in Chicago Board of Trade soyoil providing an added boost on Wednesday. While the nearby technical signals may be pointing higher, canola is also nearing major chart resistance. The January contract closed Thursday at $527.40 per […] Read more
Dan Doll and Mike Ammeter acclaimed to canola board
Reading Time: < 1 minute Two producers have been acclaimed to serve on the board of the Alberta Canola Producers Commission. Dan Doll of Fairview will replace Kelly McIntyre in Region 1 while Mike Ammeter of Sylvan Lake will replace Terry Young in Region 7. Region 4 will see an election between John Mayko of Mundare and Kris Klammer of […] Read more
Damp, tough canola at risk for spoilage
Some Prairie canola growers may now be able to get back to their unharvested canola, but the Canola Council of Canada warns that tough or damp canola can still be volatile, even at cooler outdoor temperatures. The Saskatchewan agriculture ministry on Wednesday reported “a few” growers in the province’s southeast were out harvesting canola last […] Read more
Harvest woes rally canola, turn some farmers into winners
Winnipeg | Reuters –– As some Western Canada farmers watched rain and snow turn their ripening canola fields into bogs, Rob Stone could count his blessings. Harvest weather was kinder to his farm at Davidson, Sask., about 100 km southeast of Saskatoon, and Stone finished harvesting canola by mid-September. Then, when worries about four million […] Read more
Swede midge numbers low in Alberta
Reading Time: < 1 minute There is good news from a survey of swede midge larvae this summer. The survey was conducted at 42 canola sites in central Alberta in July. “Bottom line is that the survey found very low numbers of swede midge,” said insect management specialist Scott Meers. “As an example, we would typically find between one and […] Read more