Reading Time: 6 minutes As if farming wasn’t already stressful enough, Canadian winters bring additional challenges. Frozen water lines, icy driveways and tractors that won’t start are just a few of the many physical challenges that farmers must contend with during our harsh winters. On top of that, when the short days of winter arrive, some of us will […] Read more
Coping with the winter months
“It’s okay not to be okay,” says therapist Deborah Vanberkel. All of us are subject to the winter blahs and cabin fever
Manitoba farmers unfazed by flood reports
Reading Time: 2 minutes MarketsFarm — As experts forecast a spring flood to hit southern Manitoba, farmers in the Red River Valley won’t be caught off guard. Manitoba’s Emergency Measures Organization held flood preparedness seminars in Morris, Brandon, and Selkirk throughout the week of March 11. Topics covered included the forecast, flood outlook, preparedness and response and disaster financial […] Read more
Feed weekly outlook: Markets steady amid cold Alberta weather
Reading Time: < 1 minute Excessively cold temperatures in Alberta may be causing headaches for both feed grain buyers and sellers, but prices remain relatively steady for what’s moving. The cold weather hasn’t really led to a significant increase in demand, but “it’s definitely made the farmer grumpy,” said Brandon Motz of CorNine Commodities in Lacombe, Alta. “In general, the […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder market starts year with cautious tone
Reading Time: 2 minutes Western Canadian feeder cattle prices were relatively unchanged to slightly softer compared to mid-December. The market was lightly tested, with direct off farm to feedlot trade, but auction market activity was rather quiet. Winter conditions in southern Alberta caused buyers to be on the defensive, with lighter calves reflecting small discounts; however, vaccinated feeders on […] Read more
U.S. forecaster sees 90 per cent chance of El Nino in winter
Reading Time: < 1 minute Reuters — There is a 90 per cent chance of the El Nino weather pattern emerging during the Northern Hemisphere winter of 2018-19, a U.S. government weather forecaster said on Thursday. “The official forecast favours the formation of a weak El Nino,” the National Weather Service’s Climate Prediction Center (CPC) said in a monthly forecast. […] Read more
Alberta farmers try to wrap up ‘very unusual year’
Reading Time: 2 minutes CNS Canada — As winter approaches, producers in Alberta are still in the fields trying to wrap up the last bit of the 2018 harvest. According to the final crop report issued by Alberta Agriculture and Forestry, about six per cent of all crops were still in the field at the end of October. The […] Read more
Extended winter could lead to more Prairie oat acres
Reading Time: 2 minutes CNS Canada — With winter still hanging on across Western Canada, one buyer thinks it could lead to an uptick in oat acres. “Later seeding generally increases oat acres. We’d rather see them seeded earlier but farmers have had a tendency when things get late (to) throw some more acres into oats,” said Scott Shiels […] Read more
La Nina could return cold, snowy tradition to Prairies
Reading Time: 2 minutes CNS Canada — The world’s major weather forecasters predict a slightly better than 50 per cent chance that a La Nina weather pattern will occur this fall and winter. Most Prairie farmers could see good things happening if the system does materialize, because La Nina systems tend to bring what many people think of as […] Read more
Manitoba to axe limits on hog barns
Reading Time: 2 minutes UPDATED, March 20 — Manitoba’s restrictions on hog barn and manure storage construction are set to be shelved by way of an omnibus “red tape reduction” bill. Provincial Finance Minister Cameron Friesen on Thursday introduced Bill 24 for first reading. Among its 15 proposed amendments to various pieces of legislation, the bill would repeal two […] Read more
World weather worth watching as winter hits Canada
Reading Time: 2 minutes CNS Canada –– Harvest is wrapping up in Western Canada, but seeding is just starting in other parts of the world. Here are a few of the top market influencers traders and farmers are watching heading into winter. El Nino in the Southern Hemisphere – The Southern Hemisphere is starting its wheat growing season, said […] Read more
A message from April Stewart, Country Guide's Associate Editor
