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Pulse weekly outlook: Pandemic may pose market opportunity

MarketsFarm — Plant protein products were steadily rising in popularity before the COVID-19 pandemic set in — but that industry could also get a boost from consumers shifting away from meat in a post-pandemic world. “There’s an increased level of awareness of hygiene issues in the meat industry,” Vishal Vijay, head of business development at […] Read more

An artists’ rendition of the Merit Functional Foods plant under construction in Winnipeg. (Meritfoods.com)

Plant protein processor backed for expansion

Lenders arrange up to $85 million for Merit Functional Foods

The money has been lined up to fund a major expansion for a Winnipeg pea and canola protein processing plant that’s still being built. Merit Functional Foods Corp. announced May 4 it has secured a debt financing package of up to $85 million from “a syndicate of lenders” including Export Development Canada, Farm Credit Canada […] Read more


When scouting pea leaf weevil, it’s important to start looking early in the season, as newly
emerged peas are the most vulnerable to damage. Begin at field edges and work your way into the field. Typical damage includes “c”-shaped notches in the leaves.

Pea leaf weevil management: early identification key

Q & A with an expert

Q: When and how should I scout for pea leaf weevils? A: The pea leaf weevil, an invasive species, has caused notable damage and yield loss in pulse crops across the Prairies. Identifying and managing the pea leaf weevil early in the growing season is key to minimizing damage and protecting your yield potential. Adults […] Read more

By controlling grasshoppers in the nymph stage, you can keep them from feasting on your fields later on when they reach adulthood.

Higher grasshopper nymph populations expected this spring in Manitoba

Manage nymphs in hatching areas before they disperse into crops

It’ll come as no surprise to Manitoba producers that the major pests to watch for this coming growing season are flea beetles in canola as well as grasshoppers and cutworms across all Prairie crops. All three are well established in Manitoba, all three overwinter in the province and all three showed high populations last year. […] Read more


Flea beetle.

Expect flea beetle and cutworm issues in Alberta fields

Grasshopper population levels will depend on weather, for one

Spring is finally coming to Alberta crop fields. Unfortunately, insect pests won’t be far behind. Weather, natural population cycles and wind conditions are just a few factors influencing insect pest numbers this season. Grasshopper Alberta is home to 85 species of grasshoppers, three of which caused economic damage to Alberta fields last year. In the […] Read more

Two-striped grasshopper and wheat midge numbers on the rise in Saskatchewan

Two-striped grasshopper and wheat midge numbers on the rise in Saskatchewan

Another dry spring could also increase flea beetle pressure

Exactly which insect pests will chomp their way into your crops this year and how much damage they’ll do depends on wind, weather and, above all, your scouting and management choices. This year, Saskatchewan growers should keep an eye out for rising populations of two-stripe grasshopper and wheat midge, meanwhile dry spring conditions will increase […] Read more


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

Pulse weekly outlook: Dry pea prices remain firm

Acres expected down from 2019

MarketsFarm — Prices for green and yellow dry peas remain fairly good, according to Dale McManus of Johnston Grains at Welwyn, Sask. Green peas are currently $10-$11 per bushel, which he said is a decent price; he also expects green pea acres to remain steady in 2020 compared to the previous year. The price for […] Read more

The facts and fallacies of foliar feeding and other mistaken beliefs

The facts and fallacies of foliar feeding and other mistaken beliefs

Environmental conditions can dramatically affect the uptake of foliar-applied nutrients

Foliar feeding has been frequently advocated in recent years as a way to boost crop yields, or in the case of nitrogen (N) as a boost for grain protein in wheat. In reality, plants take in very little fertilizer directly through their leaves or stems. In a way, it is a process that does not […] Read more


Producers should also be on the lookout for phytophthora 
root rot in soybeans.

Pulse and soybean disease roundup

Managing disease in these crops may be a particular challenge this year

Though crop diseases are a concern every year, they may prove particularly challenging in 2020 after last year’s difficult, wet harvest. Since the most successful farmers are proactive and prepared, it may pay to be ready to tackle whatever disease challenges Mother Nature throws your way this year. “I would say my biggest concern for […] Read more