A sunflower crop north of St. Adolphe, Man. on Sept. 19, 2021. (Dave Bedard photo)

Sunflower market seeing broad strength

MarketsFarm — Sunflower seed has found itself caught up with the general strength seen in most agricultural markets, with the Russian invasion of Ukraine adding another layer of uncertainty to the market as the two countries are both major world producers. “We believe sunflowers are a very attractive option going into 2022,” said Robert Deraas, […] Read more




CBOT May 2022 wheat (candlesticks) with Bollinger bands (20,2) and CBOT December 2022 wheat (orange OHLC). (Barchart)

U.S. grains: CBOT wheat hits 14-year peak in volatile trading

Soyoil sets record high before retreating

Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Board of Trade wheat futures rose by their daily limit to a 14-year high on Wednesday as the war in Ukraine raised major concerns about grain supplies that will be available from the Black Sea region. Corn futures reached their highest price since December 2012, when the market set an […] Read more


The 70-foot-wide Seed Hawk air drill at Bailla Farms has a 980-bushel tank with four compartments. With sectional controls every 10 feet across the width of the drill, it is very responsive to variable-rate seed and fertilizer placement as it passes over 10 different production zones in each field.

Do SWAT Maps deliver?

Farmers say layered information allows them to apply inputs where they do the most good

Colin Rosengren and Kelly Baillargeon farm on almost opposite ends of Saskatchewan, yet they have the same thinking when it comes to what they expect from precision farming and variable-rate technology (VRT). Rosengren owns Rosengren Farms along with family members at Midale, in southeast Saskatchewan, while about 650 kilometres to the northwest, Baillargeon owns Bailla […] Read more

Versatile tractor in the field

How to develop potassium fertilizer recommendations

When, where and how much potassium is needed for your crops

In previous Grainews issues, I have discussed how to develop nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) fertilizer recommendations. In this issue, I will focus on the development of potassium (K) fertilizer recommendations. Most crops take up potassium in relatively high amounts, often similar to nitrogen. About 25 to 30 per cent of Prairie soils are estimated […] Read more


(Dave Bedard photo)

Bunge says sanctions may have ‘adverse effect’ on Russian operations

Reuters — Global agricultural commodities trader Bunge said continued conflict in Ukraine and stinging sanctions on Russia could have an “adverse effect” on its operations in the breadbasket region. Bunge and rival agribusinesses ADM and Cargill suspended operations in Ukraine last week after Russia invaded its neighbour. But none have stopped their business in Russia […] Read more

(PortMetroVancouver.com)

Canada shuts ports to Russian ships over Ukraine invasion

Russian firms' Canadian holdings also under scrutiny, Freeland warns

Toronto | Reuters — Canada ratcheted up pressure on Russia for its invasion of Ukraine by shutting ports to Russian-owned ships and saying on Tuesday that holdings of all Russian oligarchs and companies in the country are under review. Canada has announced a slew of measures to isolate Russia, including imposing sanctions on Russian President […] Read more


CBOT May 2022 wheat (candlesticks) with MGEX May 2022 wheat (orange O/H/L/C) and K.C. May 2022 wheat (black line). (Barchart)

U.S. grains: Chicago wheat limit up to 14-year peak

Soyoil sets record on Russia-Ukraine crisis

Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Board of Trade wheat futures soared by the daily limit to their highest level in almost 14 years on Tuesday as traders feared prolonged disruptions to global supplies following Russia’s invasion of fellow grain exporter Ukraine. Soyoil futures set an all-time high on worries over vegetable oil exports from the […] Read more

File photo of a Saskatchewan grid road in winter. (Daxus/iStock/Getty Images)

Environment Canada calls for colder-than-normal Prairie spring

MarketsFarm — Colder-than-normal temperatures are in the long-range forecast across most of the Canadian Prairies, according to the latest long-range outlook from Environment Canada. The latest seasonal forecast from the government agency, released Monday, calls for a 40-50 per cent chance of below-normal temperatures from March through May for most of the three Prairie provinces, […] Read more