Forages, Agriculture News & Resources

Chris Martin developed his own hay dryer to improve the quality of his hay.

Farmer-made hay dryer boosts quality

Chinook bale dryer uses spikes to dry bales from the inside out

By John Greig November 20, 2017

Reading Time: 3 minutes Chris Martin saw how hay bale dryers were working in Quebec and thought that the concept would work on his farm in Ontario. And he figured he and his brother could make one that worked even better. Three years later, they have their dryer working – but not perfected – and have sold one other […] Read more

The Cellulosic Sugar Producers Co-operative will do all the mowing, baling and transportation for the co-op members.

Corn, Hay, News

Cellulosic sugars co-op offer improves, hosting baling demos

First demonstration takes place on Nov. 14 in Watford, Ont.

By John Greig November 9, 2017

Reading Time: 2 minutes Farmers continue to sign up for an Ontario co-operative that will pay them for their corn stover and wheat straw. Brian Cofell, general manager of the Cellulosic Sugar Producers Co-operative (CSPC) says that the co-op has about 40 per cent of the acres committed that it needs by next fall, when it plans to harvest […] Read more

James Hargrave (second from right) in September 2016 with provincial Agriculture Minister Oneil Carlier, Medicine Hat MLA Bob Wanner and Environment Minister Shannon Phillips. (AlbertaGrazingLease.ca)

Beef Cattle, Forages, Livestock, Weather

Communities rally around producers in wildfires’ wake

By Country Guide Staff October 24, 2017

Reading Time: 2 minutes Ranchers, farmers and rural residents who suffered losses, injuries and more in recent wildfires in southeastern Alberta and southwestern Saskatchewan are seeing support from neighbours and beyond. Alongside a number of online campaigns launched in support of affected farmers and families, the Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association on Monday launched a wildfire relief fund to help […] Read more

Crops, Hay, Weather

Hay shortage could make for difficult winter

By Terry Fries October 3, 2017

Reading Time: 2 minutes CNS Canada — Many cattle producers looking for local feed this winter might have a difficult time, according to a Saskatchewan provincial forage specialist. However, producers further north in the grey and black soil zones, and those in Alberta producing high-quality feed for export, saw near-record hay production. Terry Kowalchuk of Saskatchewan Agriculture in Regina […] Read more

Crops, Hay, Reuters, Weather

U.S. northern Plains ranchers welcome hay lottery

By Theopolis Waters August 18, 2017

Reading Time: 3 minutes Reuters — Hundreds of livestock ranchers in the drought-stricken U.S. northern Plains are embracing what organizers say is the first lottery designed to provide some much-needed relief to their operations. The prize? Tons and tons of hay. Ranchers in North Dakota, South Dakota and Montana have been suffering through the region’s worst drought in 30 […] Read more

Federal Agriculture Minister Lawrence MacAulay and B.C. Agriculture Minister Lana Popham met Wednesday in Victoria. (Photo courtesy AAFC)

Forages, Livestock, Weather

Options weighed for AgriRecovery in B.C. fire zones

By Country Guide Staff August 16, 2017

Reading Time: 2 minutes Officials in British Columbia are now gauging what sorts of damages and expenses can be covered through an AgriRecovery plan for ranchers and farmers affected by wildfires. The federal and B.C. governments announced Wednesday they’re “working together to quickly assess the extraordinary costs farmers are incurring and what additional assistance may be required to recover […] Read more

Forages, Livestock, Weather

Drought-related livestock tax deferral zones widen again

By Country Guide Staff August 14, 2017

Reading Time: 2 minutes More ranchers in five provinces may now be able to defer some of their taxable income from their livestock sales in 2016 due to drought. The federal government on Aug. 4 announced its final list of drought-designated regions where the livestock tax deferral provision will be allowed for the 2016 tax year, and has included […] Read more

Ray Robertson, of the Ontario Forage Council, says foreign markets are an opportunity for Canadian forage growers.

Forages, News

Rain means much of Ontario first cut hay is yet to be harvested

Forage quality declining with each passing day

By John Greig July 4, 2017

Reading Time: 2 minutes Wet weather that has much of the Ontario first cut hay crop still standing in the field hasn’t yet changed the price for hay. Typically, the first cut hay harvest is mostly complete by the first of July, but regular rains in June this year have left hay in the field and declining in quality each […] Read more

Crops, Markets, Pasture, Reuters, Spring Wheat, Weather

U.S. Plains drought highlights spring wheat supply crunch

By Mark Weinraub June 29, 2017

Reading Time: 2 minutes Chicago | Reuters — Drought conditions in the northern U.S. Plains that have propelled spring wheat prices to a three-year high worsened in the past week and there are forecasts for more hot and dry weather that could crimp the harvest. As the world struggles with a glut of grain that has filled inventories to […] Read more

Crops, Forages, Weather

Manitoba forages fight past winterkill, pest issues

By Dave Sims June 22, 2017

Reading Time: < 1 minute CNS Canada — The first hay cut is well underway in several parts of Manitoba as favourable weather conditions set the stage for what could be a decent forage season. “Generally speaking they’re (forages) all doing well,” said Pamela Iwanchysko, farm production extension specialist with the provincial government in Dauphin. “The rains were timely.” What […] Read more

Daily Network News

India, Japan canola crops to be steady in 2026/27 – USDA

ICE Weekly: Trade waits for canola to break out

Advance Payments Program interest free limit set at $250,000 for 2026

Forages