Chicago | Reuters — Encroaching drought in the U.S. southern Plains contributed to the smallest rise in the nation’s cattle population in three years, analysts said after the government’s semi-annual cattle inventory report on Wednesday. Insufficient moisture in parts of Texas and Oklahoma, along with areas of persistent dryness in the northern Plains, hurt winter […] Read more
Southern Plains drought slows U.S. cattle herd growth
Feed weekly outlook: Prairie grains chopping around
CNS Canada — Dry subsoil moisture conditions and a lack of snow cover in southern Alberta and Saskatchewan continue to create worries for many farmers. Conditions range from abnormally dry in many areas to full-on droughts around Regina and some areas south of Calgary, according to Agriculture and Agri-food Canada. Feed barley bids in the […] Read more
U.S. northern Plains ranchers welcome hay lottery
Reuters — Hundreds of livestock ranchers in the drought-stricken U.S. northern Plains are embracing what organizers say is the first lottery designed to provide some much-needed relief to their operations. The prize? Tons and tons of hay. Ranchers in North Dakota, South Dakota and Montana have been suffering through the region’s worst drought in 30 […] Read more
Drought-related livestock tax deferral zones widen again
More ranchers in five provinces may now be able to defer some of their taxable income from their livestock sales in 2016 due to drought. The federal government on Aug. 4 announced its final list of drought-designated regions where the livestock tax deferral provision will be allowed for the 2016 tax year, and has included […] Read more
Strong prices give grain growers a reason to celebrate
It’s been a tough growing season but higher prices for wheat, canola, and lentils have created ‘some good optimism’
Reading Time: 4 minutes It’s been a tough year for grain growers in Alberta, but strong prices are giving many a reason to celebrate as they head toward harvest. “If you look at the positives, there has been a move higher in prices in crops that are really impactful for Prairie farmers,” said Jonathon Driedger, senior marketing analyst at […] Read more
Crop ratings in the south decline due to ‘droughty’ conditions
Alberta crop conditions as of July 4
Reading Time: < 1 minute Provincial crop condition ratings declined by 3 points this week to 75 per cent rated good or excellent, solely due to a significant decline in the condition ratings of crops in the South region as the droughty conditions currently affecting the US northern tier states has reached into southern Alberta. Crop condition ratings were virtually […] Read more
Southern Saskatchewan dry, but Prairies mostly OK for now
CNS Canada — Dry conditions in southern Saskatchewan are cause for vigilance, but rain could still pull out a healthy harvest, according to a provincial soil and nutrient specialist. The area of concern lies within a triangle shape, with the northern tip at Saskatoon, one arm stretching southeast to Weyburn, Estevan and the U.S. border, […] Read more
U.S. Plains drought highlights spring wheat supply crunch
Chicago | Reuters — Drought conditions in the northern U.S. Plains that have propelled spring wheat prices to a three-year high worsened in the past week and there are forecasts for more hot and dry weather that could crimp the harvest. As the world struggles with a glut of grain that has filled inventories to […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder cattle market looks for direction
Western Canadian feeder cattle prices were once again unchanged from week-ago levels. After the major rally in late April and May, the market has basically traded in a sideways range and is looking for direction. Feedlot operators have experienced healthy margins during the first half of 2017 and this will likely continue until September. They […] Read more
U.S. grains: Spring wheat futures climb on weather worries
Chicago | Reuters — U.S. spring wheat futures traded on the Minneapolis Grain Exchange (MGEX) closed higher on Monday for a fourth straight session on fears of hot, dry weather in the northern Plains, while corn and soybean futures ended fractionally higher. MGEX July spring wheat ended up 5-1/4 cents at $5.89 per bushel and […] Read more
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