Managing longer crop rotations

Managing longer crop rotations

In Part 3 of a three-part series, these farmers with long rotations catch a few breaks in a tough year

This article is the last in a series looking at how three farmers manage longer crop rotations through the growing season. The original plan was to interview all three once they’d finished harvest. But, unsurprisingly, western Canadian weather has no respect for deadlines. All three farmers saw a wet September and two were still harvesting […] Read more

Farmer Brian Derksen seeds wheat on May 2, 2017 near Miami, Man., about 80 km south of Portage la Prairie. (Screengrab from Allan Dawson video)

Trade, weather top of mind for 2019 acres

CNS Canada — As Canadian farmers start thinking about what to plant next spring, global trade patterns and weather will play into decision making. “It’s very difficult to decide where this all is going. That obviously also has implications on where the futures prices go and what signals the farmers are taking from that,” said […] Read more


(Dave Bedard photo)

December StatsCan report could vary from years past

CNS Canada — After this fall’s long, drawn-out harvest, some analysts predict Statistics Canada’s final Production of Principal Field Crops numbers could vary from the usual pattern. StatsCan’s report, due out Thursday, is a “very uncertain” report “because that was probably one of the most bizarre falls we’ve ever had on the Prairies,” said Ken […] Read more

CME August 2019 live cattle (red) and January 2019 feeder cattle (blue). (Barchart)

Klassen: Feeder market searching for direction

Western Canadian feeder cattle markets were quite variable from seven days earlier. Prices were unchanged in the eastern Prairie regions; however, Alberta markets traded $3 to as much as $7 below week-ago levels. Alberta and Saskatchewan feedlot inventories are running 16 per cent above year-ago levels, so there’s limited buying power available. Calves are fleshier […] Read more


What’s up honey?

What’s up honey?

The truth about honeybees’ importance in North America. Hint: it’s less than you think

In the last few years the general public has been bombarded and brainwashed with the supposed tremendous importance of honeybees in North America. Let’s get down to the facts. First of all, honeybees can technically be classified as invasive pests since the honeybee, Aphis melifera, is not native to the Americas — or Australia or […] Read more




(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)

Klassen: Feeder cattle market stabilizes

Western Canadian feeder cattle markets were unchanged from week-ago levels. Favourable weather conditions enhanced buying interest from cattle feeders in Feedlot Alley; however, cattle-on-feed inventories in Alberta and Saskatchewan are running 16 per cent above year-ago levels. Pen space remains at a premium due to limited capacity. County permit fees and added regulations have also […] Read more