CNS Canada — Global fertilizer demand has been higher, leading to increased prices, but with more capacity coming online prices should start to fall, according to an analyst. “Urea prices globally have moved a little higher over the past few months. They’ve been relatively volatile, that’s just kind of a function of some better than […] Read more
Global fertilizer prices set to fall
Farmers wait for fertilizer prices to fall amid oversupply
CNS Canada — As more fertilizer plants are built around the world and U.S. corn acreage shrinks, the typical thinking holds that prices for urea and nitrogen should fall, but that hasn’t been the case so far for Canadian farmers. “They’re more on the steady side,” said Todd Lewis, president of the Agricultural Producers Association […] Read more
Don’t apply too much fertilizer
Reading Time: < 1 minute If you’re still seeding be careful not to apply too much fertilizer, says provincial crop specialist Mark Cutts. Seed-placed urea can reduce crop emergence through ammonia toxicity. Factors that impact the amount of urea that can be seed placed include seedbed utilization (calculated as the spread of seed and fertilizer divided by the row spacing), […] Read more
Save time and maybe money with fall soil sampling
Having a firm fertilizer plan in the fall allows you to take advantage of any dip in fertilizer prices
Reading Time: < 1 minute Soil sampling now will save time in spring and early planning of your fertilizer programs gives you the chance to take advantage of lower fertilizer prices that may occur, says a provincial crop specialist. But soil samples need to be representative of the field, said Mark Cutts. “For example, if there are small areas of […] Read more
Don’t feel the burn when seed placing fertilizer
Seedbed utilization, soil type, moisture levels, and seed size are all key factors when deciding application amounts
Reading Time: 2 minutes While the benefits of seed-placed fertilizer are certain, it is important to ensure proper amounts are being placed with the seed, says provincial crop specialist Mark Cutts. “Applying too much fertilizer with the seed can reduce or delay crop emergence,” said Cutts. “To ensure seed-placed fertilizers are being managed properly, an understanding of the factors […] Read more
Fertilizer expected to be pricier by springtime
CNS Canada –– Relatively cheap natural gas has helped push down fertilizer prices for Canadian farmers over the past winter, but that should change by springtime. One Manitoba farm leader noted urea fertilizer that went for $545 per tonne last August could now be acquired for $445 per tonne. “Phosphate fertilizer was going for $721 […] Read more
Quebec co-ops’ urea plant back on hold
Development of a major new nitrogen fertilizer plant in Quebec has returned to the back burner where it lived for much of the past year. The Canadian arm of the Indian Farmers Fertilizer Co-operative (IFFCO) and Quebec agrifood co-operative giant La Coop federee announced Monday they will again halt development work on their planned plant […] Read more
Fertilizer spill halts water use from Alta. river
Officials are urging users of water from southern Alberta’s Little Bow River and Travers Reservoir to shut down those uses until further notice, following a farm fertilizer spill. The province’s environment department said about 9,800 litres of liquid urea ammonium nitrate were “accidentally released” Wednesday from a container on private land in Vulcan County, northeast […] Read more
Crop pest and disease watch for 2015
Some of the usual suspects could be back this year, especially if you are pushing your rotations
Reading Time: 6 minutes The new growing season is underway, with a combination of old and new challenges and opportunities. Alberta Farmer reporter Alexis Kienlen asked some experts about things that producers should look out for this growing season. Here’s what they had to say: Plant diseases It’s difficult for plant pathologists to predict the possibility of diseases, said Kelly […] Read more
Spring run on fertilizer creates challenges
CNS Canada — Seasonal challenges are popping up for fertilizer users this spring, according to the president of Manitoba’s Keystone Agricultural Producers — but Dan Mazier says they’re not your typical ones. “The supply seems to be all right; definitely anhydrous ammonia is available,” he said. However, he’s heard some reports that this year’s phosphate […] Read more
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