Reading Time: < 1 minute CNS Canada — Dry subsoil moisture conditions and a lack of snow cover in southern Alberta and Saskatchewan continue to create worries for many farmers. Conditions range from abnormally dry in many areas to full-on droughts around Regina and some areas south of Calgary, according to Agriculture and Agri-food Canada. Feed barley bids in the […] Read more
Feed weekly outlook: Prairie grains chopping around
Probing drought stress in corn
The potential for measuring, modelling and helping improve production is astounding
Reading Time: 6 minutes The design and creation of a new robotic device for phenotyping plants is a double-sided boon to agriculture. On one hand, it is indicative of the enormous potential of the autonomous systems now in development for farm applications. On the other, it’s a huge leap forward for researchers and plant breeders and their ability to […] Read more
U.S. northern Plains ranchers welcome hay lottery
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
Drought-related livestock tax deferral zones widen again
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
Southern Saskatchewan dry, but Prairies mostly OK for now
Reading Time: 3 minutes CNS Canada — Dry conditions in southern Saskatchewan are cause for vigilance, but rain could still pull out a healthy harvest, according to a provincial soil and nutrient specialist. The area of concern lies within a triangle shape, with the northern tip at Saskatoon, one arm stretching southeast to Weyburn, Estevan and the U.S. border, […] Read more
U.S. Plains drought highlights spring wheat supply crunch
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
Klassen: Feeder cattle market looks for direction
Reading Time: 2 minutes Western Canadian feeder cattle prices were once again unchanged from week-ago levels. After the major rally in late April and May, the market has basically traded in a sideways range and is looking for direction. Feedlot operators have experienced healthy margins during the first half of 2017 and this will likely continue until September. They […] Read more
Should drought-stressed alfalfa be clipped?
Clipping drought-stressed alfalfa will not help it regrow faster when rainfall or moisture comes back
Reading Time: 2 minutes North Dakota State University – Many parts of the state where alfalfa is grown are experiencing moderate to severe drought, which is causing spring alfalfa growth to wilt, and shoots and leaves to dry. “During drought, forage is likely in short supply and farmers are likely to try to get as much forage as possible,” […] Read more
U.S. grains: Spring wheat futures climb on weather worries
Reading Time: 2 minutes Chicago | Reuters — U.S. spring wheat futures traded on the Minneapolis Grain Exchange (MGEX) closed higher on Monday for a fourth straight session on fears of hot, dry weather in the northern Plains, while corn and soybean futures ended fractionally higher. MGEX July spring wheat ended up 5-1/4 cents at $5.89 per bushel and […] Read more
U.S. grains: Winter wheat hits two-week lows, spring wheat rallies
Reading Time: 2 minutes Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Board of Trade soft red winter wheat futures and K.C. hard red winter futures dropped to two-week lows on Thursday as forecasts for dry conditions in key growing areas raised the prospect of a quick start to harvest for both crops. “We have got a little bit drier forecast,” said […] Read more
A message from April Stewart, Country Guide's Associate Editor
