Reading Time: 2 minutes Weather maps remain dry for most of Western Canada and the lack of snow cover is leading to concerns that farmers could be facing drought conditions in the summer of 2012. However, precipitation in the spring and summer will be much more important in determining yield prospects going forward, according to an official with Agriculture […] Read more
Prairies dry, but don’t write off 2012 crops just yet
New opportunities likely for low-grade malt barley
Reading Time: 3 minutes The sharp distinction between malt and feed barley is starting to get a little muddy on the Prairies, with a third class of barley expected to create more opportunities for farmers under the new open market. Traditionally, about 20 per cent of the barley grown in Western Canada in any given year would hit the […] Read more
Warm weather, no snow mixed blessings for Prairie insects
Reading Time: 2 minutes Insect populations overwintering in Western Canada are likely enjoying the warmer-than-normal temperatures seen across the Prairies this winter, but the lack of snow cover could lead to increased mortality, if and when the mercury does drop. Environment Canada forecasts for Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta call for unseasonably warm temperatures over the next week, with above […] Read more
Chickpeas pencil out great, but acres a question
Reading Time: 2 minutes Chickpeas pencil out to be one of the most profitable cropping options in Saskatchewan heading into the spring of 2012, but whether farmers will actually plant the pulse crop remains to be seen. Crop return comparisons compiled by special crop export/processing company Walker Seeds Ltd. of Tisdale, Sask. place Kabuli chickpeas at the top of […] Read more
Crop Week: Canadian wheat watching world weather
Reading Time: 2 minutes The global and Canadian wheat markets are looking relatively bearish overall at the start of 2012, and it will take a weather event somewhere in the world to spark a rally in prices, according to the Canadian Wheat Board’s chief for market surveillance. Bruce Burnett, the CWB’s director of weather and market surveillance with the […] Read more
Crop Week: Farmers ‘kicking tires’ at crop show
Reading Time: 2 minutes Prairie farmers kicking tires on the new tractors on display here this week at the annual Crop Production Show were also busy weighing their options on what to plant in 2012. New-crop pricing opportunities were sporadic at best at the show, with more than one grain company rep describing the attitude as one of "kicking […] Read more
Crop Week: Canola outlook bearish
Reading Time: < 1 minute Canola futures and western Canadian cash bids are expected to trend lower over the next year or so, as both the charts and outside fundamentals look bearish, according to analyst Greg Kostal of Kostal Ag Consulting. Speaking here Thursday to the Saskatchewan Canola Development Commission during Crop Week, Kostal said that "a year from now, […] Read more
Crop Week: AWB experience similar but different to CWB
Reading Time: 2 minutes The changes to wheat marketing currently underway in Western Canada, with the end of the Canadian Wheat Board’s single desk, echo those made in Australia over the past decade. Canada can expect to face some of the same challenges and opportunities as experienced in Australia going forward, but there are also key differences between the […] Read more
Crop Week: Domestic pulse processing touted
Reading Time: < 1 minute Increased domestic processing capacity will help improve the long-term success of the pulse sector in Western Canada, said Murad Al-Katib, CEO of SaskCan Pulse/Alliance Grain Traders, which plans to build a processing plant in Saskatchewan. Speaking here Tuesday to the Saskatchewan Pulse Growers during Crop Week, Al-Katib stressed that the pulse sector should be focussed […] Read more
Crop Week: Peas tight, but macro issues weigh
Reading Time: < 1 minute Tight Canadian pea supplies continue to underpin the market, but global macroeconomic concerns may keep prices from strengthening much above their current high levels, presenters said here Tuesday during Crop Week. Speaking at the Saskatchewan Pulse Growers meeting, Mike Jubinville of ProFarmer Canada and Colin Topham of Agrocorp International pointed to a number of bearish […] Read more
A message from April Stewart, Country Guide's Associate Editor
