The U-shaped DOT A-U1 “loads” a SeedMaster row-crop planter on to its platform during a demonstration at Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show in September 2019. (Ralph Pearce photo)

U.S. firm buys remaining stake in DOT Technology

Majority owner Raven Industries buys full control

The U.S. precision ag manufacturer holding the controlling stake in a made-in-Canada self-guiding farm equipment platform has made a deal to buy up the balance. Raven Industries, which last November bought an undisclosed majority ownership share in DOT Technology — with an option to buy the remaining stake in the following 10 years — announced […] Read more



(Dave Bedard photo)

Saskatchewan crop insurance deadline pushed to mid-April

Governments offer farmers 'flexibility'

The month-end deadline for Saskatchewan farmers to finalize contracts with the provincial Crown crop insurance agency for 2020 has been moved to April 13. Provincial Agriculture Minister David Marit and federal Ag Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau on Monday announced the extension on farmers’ deadline to “apply, reinstate, cancel or make changes” to crop insurance contracts. “We […] Read more

Bulk wheat being loaded on a ship in a Russian port. (YGrek/iStock/Getty Images)

Global grain production to increase, IGC predicts

MarketsFarm — The International Grains Council (IGC) issued projections Thursday calling for a slight increase in total global grain production for the current marketing year and for 2020-21. The U.K.-based council forecast world production at 2.175 billion tonnes, which would be an increase of three million tonnes from its February report. The IGC said that’s […] Read more


(PortOfThunderBay.com)

Port of Thunder Bay resumes shipping grain

Welland Canal portion of St. Lawrence Seaway also open for season

The Port of Thunder Bay has reopened for the season and is already shipping products including grain. The 2020 navigation season officially began Thursday with the arrival of the tug Sharon M1 and barge Huron Spirit. The vessel combination came abeam of the Mission Pier entrance at 9:30 p.m. local time, port officials said in […] Read more

Fungicides with dual modes of action, a new insecticide seed treatment and foliar fungicides containing a brand new active ingredient are available for 2020.

Get ready for improved pest control

Companies offer new products and new actives for coming crop year

With the start of the 2020 growing season just a few weeks away, crop protection companies are introducing farmers to new products with new chemistries promising improved pest control — some with wider windows of application and some with dual modes of action — and all are intended to provide a bigger bang for the […] Read more


(File photo by Dave Bedard)

Farm suppliers race COVID-19 spread for planting season

Winnipeg/Chicago | Reuters — North America’s biggest farm suppliers are accelerating shipments of fertilizer, seeds and agricultural chemicals to crop-growing regions in an unprecedented race against the coronavirus that threatens to disrupt planting season. The timing could not be worse for farmers preparing to plant crops. Disruptions in deliveries of fertilizer, seeds or chemicals could […] Read more

(Eyfoto/iStock/Getty Images)

‘Essential’ travel rule fuzzy on farmers picking up parts, inputs

U.S. border officers will have final say on Canadian farmers' cross-border business trips

Whether Canadian farmers can continue to pick up machinery parts and other products for their operations in the United States is at the discretion of U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers. At 11:59 p.m. ET Friday, Canada and the U.S. temporarily restricted non-essential travel between the two nations to try and slow the spread of […] Read more


(File photo by Dave Bedard)

Safety protocols in place for farmers’ grain deliveries

Grain moving as normal, but farmers need to practice social distancing when delivering to elevators

Grain deliveries to country elevators should continue without any disruptions, the executive director of the Western Grain Elevator Association says. “All of the members of the Western Grain Elevator Association are doing everything in their power to keep the grain supply chain functioning” during the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic, Wade Sobkowich said Tuesday. “That means we’ll […] Read more

(4loops/iStock/Getty Images)

Pulse weekly outlook: Lack of willing sellers underpins prices

MarketsFarm — Pea and lentil bids in Western Canada are holding relatively steady for the time being, despite anecdotal reports of increased international demand due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with attention soon shifting to spring seeding. A lack of willing sellers is keeping pulse bids underpinned in Western Canada, according to broker Dale McManus of […] Read more