Reading Time: < 1 minute Crop conditions are varied across Alberta, although the overall picture is looking good with no real significant areas of concern, according to a provincial specialist. “The crops are variable, some are right on-time and some are late,” said Neil Whatley, crop specialist with the Alberta Ag Info Centre. He said heat in recent weeks has helped […] Read more
Alberta crops varied, but good overall – analyst
Analyst sees canola “grinding lower”
Reading Time: < 1 minute ICE Futures Canada canola contracts have moved lower over the past week, as a strong Canadian dollar and improving crop prospects in Western Canada weighed on values. Barring a fresh weather scare or significant activity in outside markets the seasonal trend is expected to remain lower in canola heading through the summer. “I think the trend […] Read more
Prairie winter wheat looks good, disease pressure mounts
Reading Time: < 1 minute Decent growing weather the past couple of weeks has helped the winter wheat crops in Western Canada catch up in their development, but the harvest will still likely come later than normal. Disease is also causing problems in some areas, said an official with the Canadian Wheat Board. Most of the winter wheat in Western […] Read more
Flaxseed bids likely at highs for now
Reading Time: < 1 minute Concerns over unseeded acres sent flaxseed bids in Western Canada higher over the past month, but the highs may be in for now as attention in the markets turns to the increased availability of competing supplies. At the end of June, Statistics Canada pegged Canadian flaxseed area at 1.1 million acres, which would compare with […] Read more
Prairie barley bids edge lower
Reading Time: < 1 minute Cash barley bids in Western Canada have slowly softened over the past week and should continue to do so through the summer months, according to a feed grains merchant. Spot bids in the key Lethbridge, Alta. feeding area can currently be found around $208 per tonne, which compares with the recent highs near $212. “Cattle […] Read more
Oats bids high, but waiting on clearer direction
Reading Time: 2 minutes Oats bids can be found at rather high levels across Western Canada, but the uncertainty of new-crop production is limiting actual activity in the market for the time being. “Right now not a lot of guys are pricing, as they are a little nervous about the weather and what kind of crop they will get,” […] Read more
U.S. farmers face uncertainty of CWB deregulation
Reading Time: 2 minutes The expected end of the Canadian Wheat Board’s single-desk marketing powers for western Canadian wheat, durum, and barley in 2012 will likely lead to some adjustments in the flow of grain between Canada and the United States. Such a move could create some uncertainty for U.S. farmers who could soon face increased competition from Canadian […] Read more
Canola cash bids likely at high end for now
Reading Time: < 1 minute Relatively strong canola bids currently available in Western Canada may not be around for much longer, according to an analyst who recommends farmers price what they can now before the inevitable downturn. ICE Futures Canada canola contracts have been testing upside resistance recently, and the cash bids have strengthened as well, said Errol Anderson of […] Read more
Manitoba acres shift away from soybeans
Reading Time: 2 minutes Actual soybean acres in Manitoba this summer will end up well below the original intentions, as planting delays in many areas and insurance deadlines cause producers to shift away from the crop and into canola. When farmers were surveyed by Statistics Canada in late March the results pointed to intended soybean area around 690,000 acres, […] Read more
Seeding nearly done in Alta., rain needed in north
Reading Time: < 1 minute Alberta farmers are nearly finished with their spring seeding operations, having made quick progress in the past few weeks, according to a crop specialist with the province’s Ag-Info Centre. With planting wrapping up, fields in the northern part of the province are now in need of some rainfall, while excess moisture is causing some concerns […] Read more
A message from April Stewart, Country Guide's Associate Editor
