Reading Time: 6 minutes There was a time when farmers were front and centre in federal election campaigns. But no longer, it seems. With only about two per cent of the population involved in primary agriculture, it’s hard for this important industry to break through. “The reality is, the days of elections being won or lost on agriculture issues […] Read more
Campaign season
With the federal election heating up, how nervous should Ontario’s dairy farmers and the West’s grain shippers start getting? By some accounts, quite nervous indeed
Prairie wheat bids weaken slightly, basis improves
Reading Time: 3 minutes CNS Canada –– Wheat cash bids across Western Canada moved slightly lower in most classes during the week ended Friday, amid softness in U.S. futures and improving basis levels. Average Canada Western Red Spring (CWRS) wheat prices were steady to down about $4 per tonne, with bids ranging from $207 per tonne in north-central Saskatchewan […] Read more
Russia seen removing wheat tax in July if inflation slows
Reading Time: 2 minutes Moscow | Reuters — Russia, one of the world’s leading wheat exporters, will probably not extend a tax on wheat exports, imposed until June 30, if optimism over lower inflation and a large crop persists among officials, SovEcon consultancy said. Russia’s economy has been hit hard by low global oil prices and Western sanctions due […] Read more
Durum prices fall as new crop right around corner
Reading Time: 2 minutes CNS Canada — Durum prices in Western Canada are under pressure as other countries’ new durum crops are just around the corner and end-users are well covered. “We have new-crop French and Spanish durum coming on here in a couple months, and the Mexican crop as well,” said Jerry Klassen, manager for Swiss-based GAP SA […] Read more
CWB sees global grain crops falling back from records
Reading Time: 2 minutes Geneva | Reuters — The world’s wheat crop will shed three per cent this year to 703.4 million tonnes from last year’s record, but it will still remain above the five-year average, grain marketing company CWB estimated on Wednesday. The global 2015 corn crop should fall 1.6 per cent from a record last year to […] Read more
Oats market cold in Western Canada
Reading Time: 2 minutes CNS Canada –– The oats market in Western Canada has gone cold, with little heat expected until closer to spring seeding. “The basis is the thermometer, and right now oats are getting cold,” said Ryan McKnight of Linear Grain at Carman, Man., noting basis levels were generally fading. “We’re just not seeing much demand for […] Read more
Kraft to combine with Heinz in deal led by 3G, Buffett
Reading Time: 2 minutes Reuters — Ketchup maker H.J. Heinz, owned by 3G Capital and Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway, is acquiring a majority stake in Kraft Foods Group to create the third-largest North American food company, executives said on Wednesday. Shares of Kraft — which operates 35 plants in Canada, the U.S. and Puerto Rico — were up more […] Read more
More room off lows seen for U.S. wheat futures
Reading Time: 2 minutes CNS Canada –– U.S. wheat futures have trended higher over the past few weeks and still have some more room to the upside, as weather concerns for the country’s winter wheat crop and the need to bring acres to spring wheat should provide some support, according to an analyst. Given the declining U.S. crop conditions […] Read more
Wheat bids on Prairies rise with U.S. futures
Reading Time: 2 minutes CNS Canada –– Wheat cash bids across Western Canada moved higher in most classes during the week ended Friday, with gains in U.S. futures behind much of the strength. Average Canada Western Red Spring (CWRS) wheat prices were steady to up by as much as $8 per tonne during the week, with bids ranging from […] Read more
Herbicide resistance isn’t getting any better
Herbicide resistance is almost guaranteed to keep getting worse. But you might be able to keep it manageable on your farm
Reading Time: 6 minutes Wild oats have reigned as Western Canada’s worst weed for about 40 years, and multiple herbicide resistance and farmers’ reluctance to alter their practices may ensure the title doesn’t change hands in the foreseeable future. “Based on our surveys, we estimate that over half of the cultivated land in the Prairies — about 36 million […] Read more
A message from April Stewart, Country Guide's Associate Editor
