Figure 1: A weed seed’s perspective of having to germinate in the spring under a thick winter wheat canopy, which reduces the amount and quality of two key components for that weed to germinate: sunlight and heat.

Pest Patrol: Why growing cereals is bad for weeds

#PestPatrol with Mike Cowbrough, OMAFRA

Reading Time: 3 minutes The benefits of growing winter wheat in a crop rotation have been well established. Long-term research at the University of Guelph has shown a 10 bu./ac. increase in corn yields and a five bu./ac. increase in soybean yields when winter wheat is grown. Other benefits, such as increased soil organic matter when cereals are grown, […] Read more

(Alexey Rezvykh/iStock/Getty Images)

‘So far, so good,’ fertilizer sector says

Fertilizer Canada says vast majority of members have sufficient supplies in place or en route

Reading Time: < 1 minute There shouldn’t be any problems in supplying farmers with fertilizer this spring, says the organization representing manufacturers and distributors. “Our members are set to go,” Fertilizer Canada president and CEO Garth Whyte said in a news release Wednesday. “COVID-19 plans were quickly established at facilities, in conjunction with being declared an essential service, there was […] Read more


Signage on a Tweed retail outlet in Winnipeg. (Dave Bedard photo)

Canopy Growth to close Saskatchewan pot plant

Ontario company stepping out of other international plays

Reading Time: 2 minutes A major indoor cannabis grow site at Yorkton, Sask. is the latest casualty as pot producer/retailer Canopy Growth adjusts its worldwide footprint. Smiths Falls, Ont.-based Canopy Growth, whose cannabis brands include Tweed, Tokyo Smoke, Van der Pop and Spectrum Therapeutics, announced Thursday it will shut down its Tweed Grasslands production facility at Yorkton to “further […] Read more

CBOT May 2020 corn with Bollinger (20,2) bands. (Barchart)

U.S. grains: Corn futures set 3-1/2 year low as ethanol output tumbles

Soy futures consolidate after 3-1/2 week low

Reading Time: 2 minutes Chicago | Reuters — U.S. corn futures dropped to their lowest level in about 3-1/2 years on Wednesday as weekly ethanol output set a record low, reflecting weak demand for the crop during the coronavirus outbreak. Soybean and wheat futures also fell at the Chicago Board of Trade. Demand for corn-based ethanol has suffered as […] Read more


ICE May 2020 canola (candlesticks, in Cdn$) and CBOT May 2020 soymeal (yellow line, US$). (Barchart)

ICE weekly outlook: Loonie’s rally kept canola lower

CBOT soymeal, soyoil also drag on canola

Reading Time: < 1 minute MarketsFarm — Canola prices dropped over the last week due to a combination of factors, according to David Derwin of PI Financial in Winnipeg. The Canadian dollar was one of those factors, as it had a small rally that pushed the loonie to almost 72 U.S. cents. That rally ended Wednesday, however, when the dollar […] Read more



Bayer’s cross symbol hangs in a terminal at Frankfurt International Airport. (Typhoonski/iStock Editorial/Getty Images)

Proxy advisers split over endorsing Bayer management

Chemical giant to host AGM April 28

Reading Time: 2 minutes Frankfurt | Reuters — Shareholder advisory groups are divided over whether to endorse the management and directors at German drugs and pesticides company Bayer, according to recommendations submitted by proxy voting firms. Bayer is due to host its annual general meeting on April 28 but the company still faces potentially huge litigation risks stemming from […] Read more

(Dave Bedard photo)

Funds still net-short on canola

Reading Time: < 1 minute MarketsFarm — Fund traders were on both sides of the canola market during the first week of April, reducing their net short position slightly, according to the latest commitment of traders (CoT) report from the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC). The net managed money short position in ICE Futures canola came in April 7 […] Read more


(ArmadaFoods.com)

Pulse weekly outlook: Turkey may see larger red lentil crop

Reading Time: 2 minutes MarketsFarm — Turkey is expecting to see an increase in lentil production in 2020, according to a processor in the country. White bean production is also expected to rise, although chickpea production could be down slightly on the year. Fethi Sonmez, CEO of Turkey-based Armada Foods, expects to see red lentil production in the country […] Read more

CBOT May 2020 soybeans with 20-, 50- and 100-day moving averages. (Barchart)

U.S. grains: Soybeans fall further on coronavirus demand risks

Wheat slides as U.S. crop ratings hold steady

Reading Time: 2 minutes Chicago | Reuters — Chicago soybean futures slid lower on Tuesday as fears of demand destruction for livestock feed due the closure of several U.S. meat packing plants hung over the market. Corn also inched lower, hovering near a 3-1/2-year low as it tracked crude oil markets. More than a third of the U.S. crop […] Read more