Reading Time: 3 minutes Canadian farmers are expressing concern about the possibility of their access to AM radio disappearing. Ford, which has been Canada’s best-selling auto brand since 2009, has stated it plans to stop putting AM radios in non-commercial vehicles by 2024. The automaker’s decision follows those of companies such as Tesla, Mazda and Volkswagen, which have removed […] Read more
Potential loss of AM radio in vehicles a concern for farmers
Many farmers rely on AM range, signal; U.S. lawmakers launch legislation
Saskatchewan to top up some claims for wildlife-damaged forage
Affected producers in southwestern, west-central areas eligible
Reading Time: 2 minutes Producers in southwestern and west-central Saskatchewan who lost stacked forage to wildlife feeding last winter may see a bump up in their compensation. The Saskatchewan and federal governments on Wednesday announced a “supplemental freight adjustment” to their wildlife damage compensation program, administered by Saskatchewan Crop Insurance Corp. (SCIC). SCIC, the province said, has “reassessed and […] Read more
Prairie Forecast: Above-average temperatures to continue
Covering the period from May 17 to 24, 2023
Reading Time: 2 minutes The upper ridge that has been in place over much of B.C. and Alberta over the last few weeks looks to remain in place, at least for a few more days. There are some indications of a shift in the overall weather pattern towards a warm and wetter setup. As predicted, an area of low […] Read more
Air quality deteriorates as wildfires rage in Western Canada
Evacuations continue in Alberta, B.C., Saskatchewan
Reading Time: 2 minutes Reuters — Calgary received a special weather alert on Tuesday, warning residents of poor air quality and reduced visibility as tinder-dry weather and shifting winds elevated the risk of spreading wildfires in Alberta’s north and west. As of Tuesday evening 89 wildfires are active in Alberta, with 25 out of control, according to the provincial […] Read more
Best to be scouting for insect pests
'Definitely' watch canola for flea beetles
Reading Time: < 1 minute MarketsFarm — Although it is still relatively early in the crop year, Manitoba entomologist John Gavloski strongly advises farmers to carefully watch their fields for any signs of insect pests. Gavloski couldn’t say for sure if insect damage was going to be bad this year but based on what’s transpired over the last three years, […] Read more
Little chance for rain on Alberta wildfires
Coming cold front more windy than rainy in nature, Environment Canada says
Reading Time: 2 minutes Ottawa | Reuters — Prime Minister Justin Trudeau visited Alberta on Monday as raging wildfires prompted mass evacuations and reduced energy production in Canada’s main oil-producing province, where meteorologists expect virtually no rain for 10 days or so. In Edmonton, Trudeau received an update on firefighting efforts by Canadian soldiers sent to help provincial firefighting […] Read more
Prairie Forecast Update: Forecast on track
Forecast issued May 14, 2023, covering the half-week stretch from May 14 to 17, 2023
Reading Time: < 1 minute The weather models have been remarkably accurate for this time of the year. The big weather picture remains the same. There is a large, persistent ridge of high pressure over far Western Canada with an equally persistent trough of low pressure over Eastern Canada. This means western regions will continue to see sunny, dry and […] Read more
Alberta wildfire fighters prepare for hot, dry days ahead
Temperatures to approach 30 C next week
Reading Time: 2 minutes Reuters — An extended period of hot, dry weather that risks worsening wildfires in Alberta began on Friday, with special weather alerts in place across Western Canada and officials urging people to be vigilant. More than 100 wildfires have ignited across Alberta since last week, forcing tens of thousands of people to evacuate homes, farms […] Read more
Alberta fairs, auctions offer space for evacuated livestock
Central areas catch break with moisture, cooler weather; CN service resumes
Reading Time: 3 minutes Alberta’s ag societies and livestock auction marts are offering up pen space for producers forced to evacuate animals away from dozens of wildfires in the province’s northern and west-central regions. As of early Thursday evening, the province was tracking 76 active wildfires, of which 22 were listed as “out of control” and 17 as “being […] Read more
CBOT weekly outlook: Traders, analysts anticipate WASDE report
El Nino also worth watching longer-term
Reading Time: 2 minutes MarketsFarm — While traders and analysts continue to keep an eye on weather conditions, their collective focus will momentarily shift on Friday when the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) releases its monthly world agricultural supply/demand estimates (WASDE). This month’s report will be highly significant as it will announce the first U.S. crop production estimates for […] Read more