Figuring out all the angles on rotation can be a complex challenge for farmers.

Rotation, rotation, rotation are a farmer’s best friend in the field

Not rotating crops and chemistries might just be the opportunity crop pests were waiting for

[UPDATED: April 1, 2021] Rotation isn’t a new word, but applying it to all aspects of annual crop production might be a newer concept for western Canadian farmers looking to keep a step ahead of various crop pests, say specialists with Corteva Agriscience. A proper crop rotation, a proper variety rotation, a proper herbicide rotation, […] Read more

A live Google map from the evening of March 30, 2021 showing vessels currently at Thunder Bay. (Portofthunderbay.com)

Port of Thunder Bay opens for season

MarketsFarm — The 2021 navigation season is officially underway at the Port of Thunder Bay, as the tugboat Sharon M1 and barge Huron Spirit arrived late Friday. The tug-barge combo discharged a calcium chloride brine solution, used as a stabilizer and dust suppressant. The same combo also opened the season 2020, one year ago to […] Read more


CBOT November 2021 soybeans with 20-, 40- and 50-day moving averages. (Barchart)

U.S. grains: Soy, corn, wheat futures slide ahead of USDA data

Planting intentions, stocks reports due Wednesday

Chicago | Reuters — U.S. soy and corn futures fell on Tuesday as traders liquidated positions and booked profits a day ahead of a pair of key crop reports from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, analysts said. Wheat also declined, with a firmer dollar hanging over the market along with spillover from broad weakness in […] Read more

CBOT May 2021 corn with Bollinger (20,2) bands. (Barchart)

U.S. grains: Corn falls one per cent, soy drifts lower

May wheat ends up off nine-week low

Chicago | Reuters — U.S. corn futures fell about one per cent on Monday on position squaring ahead of crop reports due this week from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) along with forecasts for generally favourable planting weather in the Midwest, analysts said. Soybean futures also declined while wheat closed higher, rallying on bargain […] Read more


What were the canola yield robbers in 2020?

What were the canola yield robbers in 2020?

Some farmers benefited from the environmental conditions while others were ready to put 2020 behind them

In 2020, canola fell more than 11 bushels short of the 52 bushels per acre yield target the Canola Council of Canada (CCC) hopes Canadian farmers can achieve by 2025. Though a handful of major factors held yield back last season, hot and dry conditions bit into the most acres, said CCC agronomy specialist Justine […] Read more

The Seed Terminator attaches to the combine and pulverizes weed seeds before they become weeds. To see the unit in action on Lade's farm, visit 
https://youtu.be/O1Tg4UvM_lE.

Is mechanical harvest weed seed control a good option for the Prairies?

Saskatchewan farmers discuss the benefits and ROI of weed seed-destroying equipment

Saskatchewan farmer Josh Lade is starting to reap the rewards of using a harvest weed seed smasher on his farm. With his wife, Jeannie, and partners John, Janice, Rayden and Jenn Wiebe, Lade grows cereals, pulse crops and oilseeds on about 16,000 acres near Osler, Sask. In total, the Lades and the Wiebes have imported […] Read more


CBOT May 2021 soybeans with Bollinger (20,2) bands. (Barchart)

U.S. grains: Soybeans follow veg oils lower

Corn, wheat gain after selloff

Chicago | Reuters — Chicago soybean futures slid on Friday, pressured by declines in soyoil and funds squaring positions ahead of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s grain stocks and planting intentions reports due March 31, traders said. Corn and wheat rebounded from prior day losses, but failed to end the week higher. The most-active soybean […] Read more

CBOT May 2021 wheat with 20-, 50- and 100-day moving averages. (Barchart)

U.S. grains: Wheat hits three-month low on supply prospects

CBOT soybeans, corn also decline

Chicago | Reuters — U.S. wheat futures fell to their lowest level of 2021 on Thursday, pressured by improving global production prospects and a firmer dollar, which tends to make U.S. grains less competitive globally, analysts said. Corn and soybean futures also eased, following broad declines in commodities along with position-squaring ahead of key U.S. […] Read more


(Shironosov/iStock/Getty Images)

Ag ministers withdraw AgriStability reference margin limit

Program's compensation rate unchanged but 'remains on table'

In a move expected to provide $95 million in additional farm support per year, Canada’s ag ministers have agreed to remove the reference margin limit from the AgriStability farm income stabilization program. “That’s it! The ‘reference margin limit’ of the #AgriStability program is over! And it will be retroactive to 2020!” federal Agriculture Minister Marie-Claude […] Read more

ICE May 2021 canola with 20-, 50- and 100-day moving averages. (Barchart)

ICE weekly outlook: Canola still finding support

U.S. acreage estimates could sway futures

MarketsFarm — The ICE Futures canola market saw some wide price swings over the week ended Wednesday, dropping by more than $50 per tonne off its contract highs in the nearby May contract before recovering to trade just a few dollars off of those levels once again. Tight canola supplies, strength in world vegetable oil […] Read more