Reading Time: 4 minutes This summer’s dry growing conditions in Alberta have at least one silver lining — lower levels of disease in fields. “In those areas that have had very little rainfall this summer, you’re probably looking at limited development of diseases,” federal research scientist Kelly Turkington said in a July 6 interview. “Of more concern would simply […] Read more
Only upside to drought? Less spraying and less risk of crop diseases
But diseases like stripe rust, tan spot, or sclerotinia could be an issue if there’s been decent moisture
Beneficial insects can reduce the economic threat if wheat midge arrives
Two natural predators can help with wheat midge problems if you foster their populations
Reading Time: 2 minutes Wheat midge, a non-native pest that feeds on developing wheat kernels, is a serious economic threat to farmers, especially in Manitoba and Saskatchewan. But the pest is now a growing problem in Alberta, including Peace River country, and starting to attack Montana’s wheat crops. However, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada researchers know ways to reduce its […] Read more
Prairie cash wheat prices down but durum bids up
Average CWRS wheat prices were down by $7 to $12 per tonne over the week
Reading Time: 2 minutes Commodity News Service Canada — Spring wheat cash bids across Western Canada moved lower during the week ended July 17, as losses in the U.S. futures and improving weather conditions in some parts of the Prairies weighed on values. However, durum was the one bright spot from a pricing standpoint, with declining Canadian crop prospects […] Read more
Canola replanting may hinder winter wheat seeding
Reading Time: 2 minutes CNS Canada — With canola as the preferred stubble choice into which to seed winter wheat in Western Canada, it’s possible farmers will run into problems seeding this fall due to vast canola reseeding in early June. “The crop insurance said there was over a million acres reseeded (in Manitoba), and when you reseed, unless […] Read more
Dry weather reducing Prairie wheat midge problems
Reading Time: 2 minutes CNS Canada — Wheat midge hasn’t been causing as many problems as first anticipated in Western Canada this year, as a dry spring hindered the pests’ emergence. The Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture’s wheat midge forecast, released earlier this year, initially showed high risk levels for the insect, but the dryness is hampering their effects on […] Read more
Prairie durum prices rising as farmers aren’t selling
Reading Time: 2 minutes CNS Canada — Prices for durum in the Prairie cash market have been on the rise recently, but there are very few actual transactions being made as farmers aren’t selling. “The companies know that, generally speaking, farmers aren’t in the mood to sell, so they’re probably trying to maybe encourage deliveries of last year’s durum, […] Read more
Manitoba rust diseases dissipate as fusarium appears
Reading Time: < 1 minute CNS Canada –– The spread of leaf and stripe rust in southern Manitoba appears to be over. The diseases, which generally target cereal crops, were thought to have blown up from the northern U.S. in late spring. Fields near Carman and Killarney both tested positive for rust in winter and spring wheat. Recent warm weather, […] Read more
Rye prices seen high, but stable
Reading Time: 2 minutes CNS Canada –– Rye crops have been reacting to Saskatchewan’s heat and dryness by developing faster than they would normally be — but healthy crops elsewhere appear to be helping to keep global prices stable, at least for the time being. U.S. crops may stop rye prices from moving too turbulently, at least until Canada’s […] Read more
Malteurop parent to buy barley trader Interbrau
Reading Time: < 1 minute Paris | Reuters — French co-operative group Vivescia has entered into an agreement to buy German malting barley trader Interbrau GmbH from Swiss grain trading group Ameropa, the companies said Thursday. Founded in 1961, Interbrau specializes in international malting barley trading and logistics, and operates in Europe, Latin America, Asia, Australia and Canada. The acquisition […] Read more
Talks wrap on Canada/Ukraine free trade pact
Reading Time: 2 minutes Canada’s crop and livestock producers expect to benefit soon from a free trade agreement with Ukraine, on which the two countries’ governments have now formally completed talks. Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced Tuesday, during a visit from Ukraine’s Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk, that trade negotiations between the two countries wrapped up in Kiev on July 9, and […] Read more
A message from April Stewart, Country Guide's Associate Editor
