Reading Time: 5 minutes There was a time when growing crops was fairly straightforward. You planted in spring, sprayed in summer and harvested in fall. There weren’t all that many varieties to choose from. Chemical inputs were limited. The provincial guides to field crop protection were only a few pages long. Today, there are scores of registered varieties and […] Read more
When you need great crop advice
Some tips on choosing the right person to help navigate the maze of new crop varieties and technologies
Sunflowers fight for acres in crowded Manitoba fields
Reading Time: 2 minutes CNS Canada — Better prices have created some optimism for sunflower growers in Western Canada — a feeling that may be needed to help the crop maintain acres in the face of so much competition. “I think in Manitoba we’re going to be battling for acres compared to some of those competitive crops,” said Darcelle […] Read more
Peaola continues to show promise
On their own, the peas and canola may only produce 60 per cent of normal, but that still adds up to a 120 per cent yield
Reading Time: 5 minutes Intercropping sometimes gets a bad rap from producers. For one thing, crop insurance often doesn’t cover intercropped mixtures, so if one or both crops fail, they’re out of luck. For another, yield benefits don’t always outweigh the extra legwork required at planting and harvest. But the promise of intercropping is that some crops can be […] Read more
Manitoba sunflowers ready for harvest
Reading Time: < 1 minute CNS Canada — Most sunflower fields in southern Manitoba are ready for harvest, but the province first needs to see some drier weather. A handful of fields have seen some harvest activity already, “but the bulk is still to come,” said Ben Friesen, purchasing manager with Scoular Canada at Winkler, Man. “If the sun shines, […] Read more
Manitoba sunflowers take beating from storms
Reading Time: 2 minutes CNS Canada –– Manitoba crops have suffered an array of problems due to unfavourable weather this year, and sunflowers are no exception. “(Sunflower) crops would be looking really good if it wasn’t for the storms that have been rolling through Manitoba over the last few weeks,” said Troy Turner, agronomist with the National Sunflower Association […] Read more
Shallow roots potential concern for Manitoba sunflowers
Reading Time: < 1 minute Commodity News Service Canada – Sunflower crops in Manitoba are generally in good shape for this time of year, but excess moisture in the key growing areas have kept root systems shallow, which could create problems later in the season, according to an industry participant. It’s still relatively early for sunflowers, with diseases usually not setting in until […] Read more
SunOpta pressured by shareholders after sluggish sales
Reading Time: 2 minutes Reuters – Canadian organic food company SunOpta Inc, already under pressure from U.S. hedge fund Tourbillon Capital Partners LP, is being prodded by a second activist shareholder to explore the sale of all or part of the company, according to sources familiar with the matter. Canadian hedge fund West Face Capital, which pushed SNC-Lavalin to sell […] Read more
North American sunflowers looking good early
Reading Time: 2 minutes CNS Canada –– Sunflower crops in key growing regions of North America are in relatively good shape early in the season, according to reports. However, those good conditions have put some nearby pressure on values, with spot pricing expected to take some direction from the weather and acreage reports over the next few weeks. Sunflower […] Read more
Timing of rain ‘ideal’ for Prairie crops
Reading Time: < 1 minute CNS Canada — Well timed weekend rains across Western Canada have benefited germinating canola crops and soil conditions — but some areas could use more moisture, one weather and crop specialist says. “In terms of the timing of the rains, they’ve been pretty well ideal,” said Bruce Burnett of G3 Canada. Showers over the week […] Read more
Sun shines on oil sunflowers in Manitoba
Reading Time: 2 minutes CNS Canada — Shifting price trends will see Manitoba farmers plant more oilseed sunflowers this year but less of the confectionary varieties, according to industry participants. Manitoba accounts for nearly all of Canada’s sunflower production, with Statistics Canada forecasting planted area in 2016 at 80,000 acres. That would compare with 100,000 acres the previous year. […] Read more
A message from April Stewart, Country Guide's Associate Editor
