Reading Time: 5 minutes Drought conditions across Western Canada and elsewhere have driven wheat yields down — and wheat prices up. “I’m having trouble remembering any time in history where we have seen prices for fall delivery ahead of harvest this high,” said Mike Jubinville, senior market analyst with MarketsFarm. “It’s not the all-time record high for wheat prices […] Read more
Make the best of a bad year with astute grain marketing, say experts
Soaring wheat prices could go higher still, but get advice and be nimble, say market watchers
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
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
When will it end? If the fall rains don’t come, the hurt will continue
Autumn downpours could turn things around but moisture reserves are greatly depleted
Reading Time: 5 minutes Stephen Vandervalk has seen some tough, dry years on his southern Alberta grain operation since he started farming. But never this dry — and never this tough. “We’re combining the worst crop we’ve ever combined in the history of the farm right now,” the Fort Macleod-area grain farmer said earlier this month. “We’re seeing 10- […] Read more
Ottawa’s farm aid pledge didn’t come with the details
Last-minute announcement committed $500 million but program specifics have to be hashed out
Reading Time: 3 minutes They cut it close, but federal Liberals came through on their pledge to kick in their share of disaster funding for hard-hit livestock producers. However, the last-minute announcement means federal bureaucrats will have to work out the rules and procedures for emergency aid from the AgriRecovery program. Read more: Drought relief payments to start flowing […] Read more
Plans afoot to move hay from East to drought-hit West
CFA, BFO spearheading Hay West-style initiatives
Farm groups are spearheading new plans to get livestock feed from Eastern Canada to drought-damaged regions of the western provinces and northwestern Ontario. Details are still pending, but the Canadian Federation of Agriculture (CFA) announced Aug. 12 it has started work on a “Hay West” initiative to get surplus hay “to those struggling in the […] Read more
Feed weekly outlook: New crop expected to stabilize feed prices
Drought will drag Prairies' yields much lower
MarketsFarm — New crop is starting to make its way into feed grain bins as the annual harvest gets underway in Alberta. However, due to the drought conditions which have enveloped Western Canada, yields will be much lower than normal. “(The yields are) generally lower than expected and (there’s been) some disappointment,” said Allen Pirness, […] Read more
Drought relief payments to start flowing in early September
Producers need an AFSC account and a record of ‘extraordinary' livestock feed expenses
Reading Time: 3 minutes The first drought relief payment of $94 per head should be in the hands of cattle producers early next month. In the meantime, producers need to make sure they have an account with Agriculture Financial Services Corporation (AFSC) and start putting together a record of “extraordinary” feed expenses because of the drought. “We’re working towards […] Read more
Will a third of a billion dollars in drought aid be enough?
Massive emergency rescue plan won’t be enough for many
Reading Time: 5 minutes Emergency money for cattle producers is coming, but now the big questions are: How fast will it arrive? And will it be enough? Although the $340 million pledged for Alberta ranchers under the AgriRecovery program is a big number, the skyrocketing cost of feeding cattle is even bigger. “The total lend is $200 a head. […] Read more
Feds lock in AgriRecovery funds before election call
Ottawa's pledged share now up to $500 million
Just hours ahead of a federal election call, the federal government has committed $500 million to cover its share of federal/provincial AgriRecovery support plans for drought-hit farmers across Canada’s West. Shortly before Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s visit Sunday to Rideau Hall seeking the dissolution of Parliament for a federal election, Agriculture Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau confirmed […] Read more
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