MarketsFarm — Canada will likely see its largest sunflower crop in a number of years in 2020 if weather conditions co-operate, as good end-user demand and solid returns for growers generate increased interest in the crop. Canadian farmers intend to seed 104,400 acres of sunflowers this spring, which would be up 36 per cent on […] Read more
Bigger sunflower crop expected for 2020
ICE weekly outlook: Canola steady at midweek
Spring seeding more or less underway
MarketsFarm — After showing considerable strength in prior trading sessions, canola contracts were either side of unchanged at midweek. David Derwin of P.I. Financial in Winnipeg said canola was holding steady in comparison to other vegetable oils. “There’s general weakness in other markets, but canola hasn’t had too much of a move,” he said. Considerable […] Read more
Pulse weekly outlook: Lentils stabilize with seeding underway
MarketsFarm — Lentil bids in Western Canada may have come off their recent highs, but prices are still solid and should encourage more seeded area this spring. Increased demand tied to the COVID-19 pandemic gave lentil prices a boost in March, with the largest gains in red lentils which hit highs around the 32 cents/lb. […] Read more
Selecting the right forage mix has never been easier
New forage selection tool builds on extensive research and puts it all in an easy-to-use package
Reading Time: 3 minutes Trying to decide what forage to seed in a newly broken field? The Forage U Pick selector takes the guesswork out of it. Forage U Pick is not a new tool. Twelve years ago, the Saskatchewan Forage Council developed a Dryland Forage Selection Tool. It was well used by producers in that province, provincial ministries, […] Read more
ICE weekly outlook: Canola market floating headline to headline
MarketsFarm — The ICE Futures canola market moved lower during the week ended Wednesday, but activity was choppy as futures reacted to broad swings in global financial markets. While the looming growing season should be starting to garner some attention, the COVID-19 pandemic “has grabbed all of the headlines and all of the oxygen out […] Read more
Cold spring weather expected for Prairies
MarketsFarm — Temperatures in the Prairie provinces are expected to be colder than average this spring. “There’s no indication that temperatures will be above normal,” said Bruce Burnett, director of markets and weather for MarketsFarm in Winnipeg. Low temperatures will likely cause issues for seeding in areas of the Prairies that have received late-spring snowstorms. […] Read more
Feed weekly outlook: Strong demand supports prices
MarketsFarm — Feed grain prices on the Prairies have been stronger, and well supported by strong demand. Nelson Neumann of Agfinity in Lethbridge said strong feed barley prices were due to an uptick in exports from the Prairie provinces. “That provided a nice support to the price floor,” he said, noting market participants had previously […] Read more
Pulse weekly outlook: Prices mostly steady ahead of seeding
MarketsFarm — As farmers decide what to plant in 2020, Dale McManus of Johnston’s Grain at Welwyn, Sask. hasn’t seen any significant deviation from what producers normally buy for pulse seed. “Red lentils, green lentils, green and yellow peas,” McManus cited among the pulses being purchased. Also, he noted, prices have remained quite steady in […] Read more
Farm season well set up if there’s a normal spring
A warm, dry spring should allow most areas to get off to a good start, says provincial forecast
Reading Time: 2 minutes It will — as usual — all depend on Mother Nature’s mood over the next couple of months, but much of Alberta is in a “desirable condition” when it comes to soil moisture reserves, says the latest provincial soil moisture update. “The greatest reserves are found throughout much of the southern Peace region and along […] Read more
Add COVID-19 to your safety plan for spring seeding
More cleaning and less sharing of equipment are sensible moves these days
Reading Time: 2 minutes Plan how to stay safe while seeding during COVID-19. Start, of course, by minimizing contact, said Jody Wacowich, executive director of AgSafe Alberta. “If you have a large group, maybe have them come at different points during the morning, so they’re not all together,” she said. But having safety conversations, in one form or another, […] Read more