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

U.S. grains: Wheat down on forecasts for Plains moisture

CBOT soybeans and corn both end higher

Chicago | Reuters — U.S. wheat futures fell to a one-month low on Thursday, pressured by forecasts for welcome moisture in the southern U.S. Plains crop belt that should boost wheat production prospects, traders said. But soybean and corn futures ended higher, supported by South American supply worries and soaring global vegetable oil prices. Chicago […] Read more

The affected canola plants had parts of their stems pinched off and were kinked over about six inches from the top. Symptomatic plants and others around them also had purpling leaves.

Crop advisor casebook: Why the deformed canola and purpling leaves?

A Crop Advisor's Solution from the March 9, 2021 issue of Grainews

In mid-July, I received a call from Carl, a grain farmer located near Onoway, Alta., who was concerned about disfigured canola plants in one of his fields. “It’s not a disaster yet and it seems to be happening in just one field, but I’d like to solve the issue before it gets any worse,” he […] Read more


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

U.S. grains: Corn, soy sag on profit-taking after USDA data

Midwest's winter wheat entering key growth phase

Chicago | Reuters — U.S. corn and soybean futures each fell about two per cent on Wednesday, a day after monthly U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) forecasts failed to offer fresh bullish news, freeing traders to book profits following recent multi-year highs, analysts said. Wheat futures also declined, following the trend, with beneficial moisture expected […] Read more

ICE May 2021 canola (candlesticks) with 30-day moving average (green line) and CBOT May 2021 soyoil (yellow line). (Barchart)

ICE weekly outlook: Canola’s correction likely short-lived given tight supplies

MarketsFarm — The ICE Futures canola market ran into a profit-taking correction on Wednesday, backing away from recently-hit contract highs. While a further correction is possible, the underlying fundamentals remain supportive and canola is expected to retain its relative strength to other oilseeds. “The market needs bullish fuel, but it’s just not getting any,” said […] Read more


Sclerotinia stem rot leaf lesion forming from an infected canola petal.

How to manage sclerotinia stem rot in canola

Disease risk comes down to moisture

Sclerotinia stem rot is one of the most destructive diseases in canola. The fungus can cause up to 50 per cent yield loss. From year to year, region to region, and field to field, occurrence and severity are extremely variable. Foliar fungicides remain the main source of control. Canola Council of Canada agronomy director, Clint […] Read more

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

U.S. grains: Wheat and soy climb, corn sags after USDA data

U.S. dollar's retreat also supportive

Chicago | Reuters — U.S. wheat futures rose more than one per cent on Tuesday after the U.S. Department of Agriculture in a monthly report lowered its forecast of global wheat inventories, analysts said. Corn futures declined on a surprise increase in USDA’s forecast of world corn stocks, while soybean futures firmed after a choppy […] Read more


Several participants attended a field day on Walker Farms to have a look at the cocktail blend of forages. Cattle, in the background, will eventually move into this productive feed as part of a high-intensity, rotational grazing program.

Livestock can benefit crop production

Combining the two benefits both beef and crops, says a Saskatchewan producer, and let’s not forget about the soil

Lance Walker says incorporating the livestock enterprise into more of the grain component on the family’s central Saskatchewan farm in recent years is already showing signs of increasing production, while reducing input costs. He’s excited to see where increasing the synergy between the two enterprises — that includes feeding cattle on cropland, multi-species cropping and […] Read more

WGEA executive director Wade Sobkowich. (Manitoba Co-operator photo by Allan Dawson)

Railways to blame for terminal shortages, WGEA says

Grain handlers take issue with MarketsFarm report

MarketsFarm — The association representing the Prairies’ main grain handling companies says recent delays in loading vessels have less to do with the availability of grain and more to do with the railways hauling it to port. The Western Grain Elevator Association (WGEA), which represents major handlers such as Viterra, Richardson, Cargill and others, raised […] Read more



How to reach 52 bushels per acre of canola

How to reach 52 bushels per acre of canola

Tips to take you beyond common management practices to maximize canola yields

Canadian canola yields have increased substantially over the last few decades. In the early 2000s, the five-year average was 25.3 bushels per acre. By 2010, that had risen to 33 bu/ac. Today, it’s about 41 bu/ac. While the upward trend is very positive, yield has been fairly flat for the last five years due — […] Read more