(Gassen/iStock/Getty Images)

Canada will not be intimidated by China retaliation, Trudeau says

China seen as 'more sensitive about food security' now, CAPI says

Ottawa | Reuters — Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Tuesday said Canada will not be intimidated by China following tit-for-tat diplomatic expulsions by Ottawa and Beijing. Ottawa expelled Chinese diplomat Zhao Wei on Monday over allegations related to foreign interference, and hours later, China asked a Canadian diplomat in Shanghai to leave by Saturday in […] Read more

Wheat midge could be a concern this year in both Saskatchewan and Alberta.

Prairie insect pest outlook for 2023

Grasshoppers top the threat list but flea beetles, wheat midge, lygus bug, cutworms, bertha army worm and wheat stem sawfly are also risks in some areas

The Prairie Pest Monitoring Network (PPMN) warns grasshoppers could be a problem for producers in Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta if hot, dry conditions during the growing season persist into 2023. The network’s annual grasshopper survey is conducted in late summer and early fall by estimating the density of adult insects, usually in ditches along cereal […] Read more


(File photo by Dave Bedard)

Canola fund short position grows

Funds also net short in U.S. wheats

MarketsFarm — The managed money net short position in canola grew in early May as fund traders were busy liquidating long positions and moving more money to the short side of the market, according to the latest Commitments of Traders report from the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC). As of May 2, the net […] Read more

CBOT July 2023 soybeans with 20-, 50- and 100-day moving averages. (Barchart)

U.S. grains: Chicago soy dips, corn flat as planting progresses

No agreement yet to extend Ukrainian export shipping

Mexico City | Reuters — Chicago soybeans ended down and corn was flat on Monday, as U.S. planting progressed ahead of last year and uncertainty over whether Ukraine’s safe shipping agreement for grain exports will be extended with the deal set to expire on May 18. Corn, one of the crops exported out of Ukraine, […] Read more


K.C. July 2023 hard red winter wheat with 20-day moving average and Minneapolis July 2023 hard red spring wheat (yellow line). (Barchart)

Prairie cash wheat: U.S. futures lift spring wheat bids

Durum prices down on week

MarketsFarm — Western Canadian spring wheat bids were the beneficiaries of rising U.S. futures prices for the week ended Thursday. Wheat futures on the Chicago Board of Trade (CBOT) were under pressure early in the week due to healthy yet ineffective rains over wheat-growing areas in the U.S. The U.S. Department of Agriculture raised the […] Read more

CBOT July 2023 corn with 20-, 50- and 100-day moving averages. (Barchart)

U.S. grains: Chicago grains end week up as no new Black Sea ships authorized

Markets also have eye toward U.S. crop report

Mexico City | Reuters — Chicago grains and soy ended the week higher on Friday as hopes dimmed for the renewal of a U.N.-brokered deal allowing the safe Black Sea exports of Ukraine grain. Ukraine, Russia, Turkey and the United Nations failed to reach an agreement to authorize any new vessels to carry out Black […] Read more


Photo: File

Feed weekly outlook: Futures pressure Canadian prices

Some buyers still seeking coverage

MarketsFarm — Prices for feed grains in Western Canada continue to ease off, but seasonal activity isn’t the only reason contributing to the declines. Erin Harakal, trade manager at Agfinity Inc. at Stony Plain, Alta., said futures markets are also playing their part in pressuring feed grain prices. “Especially with the wheat markets due to […] Read more



For irrigation farmers, two critical terms to understand are allowable depletion and readily available water. Allowable depletion is the amount of water that can be removed from soil without affecting crop yield or inducing crop water stress. The water between field capacity and allowable depletion is referred to as readily available water.

How to manage and schedule irrigation, Part 1

Here’s how to prevent water-induced stress on your crops

Two costly mistakes irrigation farmers can make are not starting to irrigate soon enough in spring and not applying enough water to keep up with crop water demands during the growing season. Good irrigation water management simply involves determining the correct amount of irrigation water to apply at the right times. The goal of irrigation […] Read more

File photo of wheat south of Ethelton, Sask. on Aug. 1, 2022. (Dave Bedard photo)

CBOT weekly outlook: U.S. wheat futures correct higher

Traders' eyes remain on weather

MarketsFarm — After dropping to their weakest levels of the past two years, U.S. wheat futures were due for the corrective bounce that saw all three markets posted sharp gains on Wednesday. Soybeans and corn saw spillover support from the rally in wheat, with all three markets watching weather conditions through the growing season. U.S. […] Read more