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Thunder Bay reports rare inbound grain shipment

MarketsFarm — Grain movement at the Port of Thunder Bay included a rare inbound cargo of feed wheat, according to the port’s latest monthly report. A 12,000-tonne shipment of feed wheat was delivered to Richardson’s Current River elevator from the company’s facility in Hamilton, Ont. The wheat was said to be destined for Manitoba feedlots, […] Read more

There’s some green now, but pastures at their farm near Del Bonita — like virtually everywhere — have been hit extremely hard this year, says Sheila Hillmer, pictured with son Keeley.

Relief money is coming soon, but the pain will be long lasting

Producers here are to receive $340 million, but many say it won’t be enough

Reading Time: 3 minutes The first drought relief payment of $94 per head should be in the hands of cattle producers soon. Alberta Beef Producers has been working with the provincial crop insurer to get the drought relief money out as quickly as possible, said general manager Brad Dubeau. “We’re continuing to work with Agriculture Financial Services Corporation very, […] Read more


For those producers who normally don’t pregnancy check, this would be an extremely good time to start.

Things to consider after a drought has hit

The drought and intensive heat wave have created a lot of issues that producers must deal with

Reading Time: 3 minutes Droughts always teach (or remind) us of things we need to be prepared for to maintain health and production in our herds, including ways to access feed and, if need be, marketing. The Beef Cattle Research Council recently put on a very good question-and-answer webinar relating to drought concerns and cattle health (a recording of […] Read more

(Dave Bedard photo)

Smaller crops anticipated in looming StatsCan report

Survey-based data due out Monday

MarketsFarm — Heat and drought across Western Canada during the summer of 2021 seriously cut into the country’s crop production, raising traders’ expectations for reduced yields across the board when Statistics Canada on Monday releases its first production estimates of the year. Canola production is estimated at 11.5 million to 16 million tonnes, which would […] Read more


(Dave Bedard photo)

Ag department lowers crop production, export estimates

Expectations knocked down for most major Prairie crops

MarketsFarm — Canadian crop production will be down significantly in the 2021-22 marketing year, cutting into exports for all of the country’s major grains, oilseeds and pulse crops. That’s the estimation from the latest supply/demand estimates from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC), released Thursday. Total field crop production for all crops is forecast to decrease […] Read more

While it is important to be aware of risks associated with feeding canola forage, it may provide an alternate forage option for drought-stricken livestock producers.

When using canola for forage keep these factors in mind

Nitrates and sulphur are concerns, as are bloat and scours — and regrowth can be perilous

Reading Time: 3 minutes Poor canola stands not worth harvesting can be an alternate forage option. “While canola makes palatable feed, it may take one or two days for cattle to become accustomed to the taste,” said Miranda Meehan, North Dakota State University Extension livestock environmental stewardship specialist. Forage canola has a nutrient content similar to alfalfa, with crude […] Read more


CBOT December 2021 corn (candlesticks) with 20-, 50- and 100-day moving averages (yellow, orange and dark green lines). (Barchart)

U.S. grains: Corn climbs on weaker crop conditions

Soybeans mixed, wheat eases

Chicago | Reuters — Chicago corn futures climbed on Wednesday for a second day after the U.S. Department of Agriculture cut crop ratings on Monday afternoon, though beneficial rainfall across parts of the upper U.S. Midwest limited gains. Soybeans ended higher after the market made its biggest daily gain since late June on Tuesday, with […] Read more

World Food Programme executive director David Beasley speaks during an interview with Reuters in Doha, Qatar on Aug. 24, 2021. (Photo: Reuters/Alexander Cornwell)

Afghanistan ‘marching towards starvation,’ UN food chief says

Doha | Reuters — Millions of Afghans could soon face starvation due to a combination of conflict, drought and the coronavirus pandemic, the executive director of the World Food Programme said on Tuesday, calling on political leaders to act fast. “There’s a perfect storm coming because of several years of drought, conflict, economic deterioration, compounded […] Read more


The search for feed sources can lead you on to unfamiliar ground and so it’s wise to seek expert advice.

Alternative feeds: There’s a lot to watch out for

That includes additive effects, binding of calcium, toxic weeds, and crop residues

Reading Time: 2 minutes Editor’s note: This is part of an article recapping some of the points made during a July 29 webinar. Some of the information from the webinar was in a story in the Aug. 9 edition of this paper and the full webinar can be found on the BCRC Blog and locating the Aug. 10 entry […] Read more

From what you seed to how much is grazed, there’s a lot that goes into proper pasture management, Graeme Finn of Union Forage and Southern Cross Livestock told attendees at a recent West Central Forage Association field tour.

Drought management is a very long game, says master grazier

Getting through a year like this one is at the heart of the management system Graeme Finn uses

Reading Time: 3 minutes Managing for a drought should start the day you begin ranching. That was the message from Graeme Finn of Southern Cross Livestock for attendees at a recent field tour put on by the West Central Forage Association. “This year is the wrong year to start thinking about drought management,” said the Aussie native who now […] Read more