File photo of a federal office building in downtown Winnipeg. (Dave Bedard photo)

AAFC projecting canola ending stocks to tighten

New-crop wheat ending stocks figure boosted

MarketsFarm — Canadian canola ending stocks in both the current marketing year and upcoming 2023-24 season will be tighter than earlier estimates, according to supply/demand projections from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) on Tuesday. Factoring in Statistics Canada’s latest acreage estimates and its data for stocks as of March 31 — figures both released in […] Read more

In 2021, 3.8 million acres of peas removed 1.6 million tonnes of carbon dioxide.

Editor’s column: Why not sing the praises of Canadian pulse production? 

Many of you already include pulses in your crop rotations, so you’re well versed on the benefits to your operation of planting lentils, dry peas, dry beans, chickpeas and faba beans.  I have found Pulse Canada and the three Prairie provincial pulse grower associations are packed with useful agronomic information about successfully growing pulses. In […] Read more


File photo of a pea crop south of Ethelton, Sask. on Aug. 1, 2019. (Dave Bedard photo)

Pulse weekly outlook: Seeding to start in Manitoba, Saskatchewan

Saskatchewan lentils expected to lose acres to wheat, canola

MarketsFarm — With the calendar turning to May and temperatures expected to surpass 20 C this week, pulse seedings are set to begin for parts of Manitoba and Saskatchewan. “Right now, we’re still in a bit of a holding pattern,” said Manitoba provincial pulse specialist Dennis Lange. “We haven’t really had much for drying. Now […] Read more

To produce ammonia, the fixed nitrogen requires huge quantities
of energy in the form of heat and pressure plus natural gas. That is why urea is $1,000 or more per ton.

The many forms of nitrogen fixation

Huge energy inputs are required

How many of you know almost all of the non-nuclear munitions or bomb explosions that occur worldwide are due to the fertilizer nitrogen? There are other explosive chemicals, like potassium chlorate and silver iodide, but they are minor compared with fixed nitrogen. Dynamite, Semtex, picric acid, gun powder, gelignite and all of those other explosives, […] Read more


(File photo)

Pulse weekly outlook: Larger pea, chickpea exports expected

China, Bangladesh among major destinations

MarketsFarm — Canadian pea, chickpea and edible bean exports will likely beat earlier expectations during the current 2022-23 marketing year, according to updated supply/demand projections from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. The stocks-to-use rations for the three crops should also tighten as a result. In its report Friday, the government agency upped its call for Canadian […] Read more

Looking for meat alternatives? How about a fresh Atlantic salmon fillet?

Making meatless meals

First We Eat: There are all kinds of choices if you’re giving up meat

Ash Wednesday fell on the last Wednesday of February. It marked the start of Lent, and in the Lenten tradition of sacrifice, simple living and self-denial, I am inclined to let go of eating meat. “I think I’ll go to Boston for this year’s Passover Seder,” my husband, Dave, says over supper. Like everything else, […] Read more


Callum Morrison taking soil moisture readings using a soil moisture probe in one of the long-term cover crop research plots at the University of Manitoba’s Ian N. Morrison Research Farm in Carman, Man. These plots, along with plots at the University of Manitoba’s Glenlea Research Station in Glenlea, Man., are part of a field trial that has a four-year rotation with cover crops and the same four-year rotation without cover crops.

Cover cropping on the Prairies

A farmer survey shows many producers are growing cover crops successfully, but more agronomic knowledge and supports are needed

Climatic constraints such as a short growing season or too little fall moisture are often given as reasons why cover cropping may not be a great fit for the Canadian Prairies. A recent farmer survey, though, shows many western Canadian producers are making cover crops work, and are benefitting in ways you may not have […] Read more

File photo of black beans. (Nhattienphoto/iStock/Getty Images)

Pulse weekly outlook: For growers, spring still far away

Just 'minor changes' expected in Manitoba acres

MarketsFarm — Springtime still seems distant for southern Manitoba as snow remains and freezing temperatures persist. However, provincial pulse specialist Dennis Lange said current conditions are setting up well for seeding after temperatures rise and snow melts. “We’re still a little ways off. There are still snow drifts in the fields in most areas of […] Read more


Manufactured in Saskatoon, Sask., the Redekop Seed Control Unit can be fitted onto the back of a combine to provide harvest weed seed control.

Use multiple strategies to control weeds in your crops

Rising herbicide resistance means it’s time to broaden your weed control arsenal with chemical, mechanical and non-chemical methods

Herbicides have long been the go-to solution for Prairie grain producers fighting weed infestations. Over time, it has led to widespread resistance development in many weed species and a shrinking list of chemical options for controlling pervasive weeds like kochia and wild oats that have become resistant to multiple modes of action in recent years. […] Read more