Rain delaying harvest in Alberta

Wet, rainy weather seen in growing regions across Alberta has stalled the harvest in some areas during the first week of October. Harry Brook, a crop specialist with Alberta's provincial Ag-Info Centre at Stettler, said farmers are now waiting for drier weather to finish up the last bit of the harvest. About 80 to 85[...]

Prairie wheat, canola still susceptible to pests, diseases

Prairie wheat and canola crops are looking generally good despite being behind in development, but yields could still be impacted by disease and insect problems, crop specialists said. "By and large, the canola crops look really good," said Harry Brook, crop specialist with Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development at Stettler. "A concern for farmers is[...]


Alta. seeding aided by warmer weather, but still behind

Warmer conditions in Alberta have advanced the seeding process the past two weeks, but most areas are still a week behind normal, according to a provincial crop specialist. "The last few years we've had cool, wet Mays," said Harry Brook with Alberta's Ag-Info Centre in Stettler. "This year May was cool and wet early on,[...]

McMillan: Southern Alta. winter wheat prevails

Winter wheat crops are reported thriving across Alberta, contrasting multiple reports of challenges in the eastern Prairies. Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives reported Monday that reseeding of winter wheat is occurring throughout the province due to poor plant stands. The Saskatchewan government reported Thursday that some winter wheat fields in that province's southeast are[...]


Prairie oat cash market strong with tight supply concerns

Cash prices for new- and old-crop oats in Western Canada are strong, underpinned by expectations that carryover stocks will be tight in 2012-13 and 2013-14. According to Prairie Ag Hotwire, values on Thursday for old crop delivered to the elevator in Western Canada were as high as $4.05 per bushel, while new-crop values ranged from[...]

Former Manitoba ag minister Harry Enns, 78

Harry Enns, a former rancher and Manitoba's agriculture minister in Gary Filmon's administration during the 1990s, died Thursday at age 78. Enns, a provincial politician for 37 years, represented the Lakeside riding north of Winnipeg in the province's Interlake region, including the communities of Teulon and Stonewall. He first came to the legislature in what[...]


Yields seen disappointing as Alta. harvest continues

Harvest activities in Alberta have been moving forward at a quick pace, but yields to date have been disappointing, according to a provincial crop specialist. The harvest of barley in Alberta was said to be roughly 70 per cent done, pulses 80-90 per cent complete, wheat about 10 per cent finished and canola in the[...]

Prairie frost coming, but little crop damage expected

Freezing temperatures look to arrive this week across parts of Western Canada, but steady harvest progress has left few of farmers' crops vulnerable to damage, industry officials say. The first significant frost often hits the Prairie provinces by mid-September, but temperatures have only dipped slightly below freezing overnight so far, in isolated areas. Colder air[...]


Alta. harvest work seen picking up steam

Favourable weather and the quick maturation of crops have producers in Alberta preparing harvest equipment, according to a provincial crop specialist. "Swathing of some canola, wheat and barley crops is now underway in the province, while combining of lentils, peas and chickpeas was well underway and nearing completion in select areas," said Harry Brook, a[...]

'Excellent' crop development seen in Alta.

A combination of warm temperatures and timely precipitation has resulted in some excellent looking grain and oilseed crops in Alberta, according to a provincial crop specialist. "Rain over the past couple of days combined with the heat seen last week has helped with development and has improved yield potential for the various crops," said Harry[...]