Callum Morrison taking soil moisture readings using a soil moisture probe in one of the long-term cover crop research plots at the University of Manitoba’s Ian N. Morrison Research Farm in Carman, Man. These plots, along with plots at the University of Manitoba’s Glenlea Research Station in Glenlea, Man., are part of a field trial that has a four-year rotation with cover crops and the same four-year rotation without cover crops.

Cover cropping on the Prairies

A farmer survey shows many producers are growing cover crops successfully, but more agronomic knowledge and supports are needed

Climatic constraints such as a short growing season or too little fall moisture are often given as reasons why cover cropping may not be a great fit for the Canadian Prairies. A recent farmer survey, though, shows many western Canadian producers are making cover crops work, and are benefitting in ways you may not have […] Read more

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Prairie cash wheat: Stronger loonie sends bids down

U.S. wheat futures also down on week

MarketsFarm — A rising Canadian dollar helped lower western Canadian wheat bids for the week ended Thursday despite an array of supportive factors. As the central and southern U.S. Plains deal with severe drought in winter wheat-growing areas, a large snowpack in the northern Plains threatens to delay spring wheat seeding by a few weeks. […] Read more


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Prairie cash wheat: Bids drift lower

U.S. wheat futures down on week

MarketsFarm — Spring wheat bids in Western Canada softened during the week ended Wednesday, as choppiness in U.S. futures and strength in the Canadian dollar weighed on values. Average Canada Western Red Spring (CWRS, 13.5 per cent protein) wheat prices were down by $1.60-$6.90 per tonne across the Prairies, according to price quotes from a […] Read more

With the increasing incidence of herbicide resistance, producers must adjust their strategies to manage kochia and other resistant weeds.

Your provincial weed outlook for 2023

Make sure these weeds are on your radar this year

For as long as agriculture has existed in Western Canada, farmers have been waging a battle to control yield-robbing weeds in their fields. It will be a similar story in 2023. The difference this time around is that battle could be shaped largely by the location where it is being fought. While Manitoba received significant […] Read more


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Prairie cash wheat: Reds higher, durum dips

U.S. wheat futures up on the week

MarketsFarm — Wheat prices on the Canadian Prairies saw modest increases in the red spring varieties during the week ended Thursday, while durum stepped back. Significant gains in the U.S. wheat complex spilled over into Canadian cash prices, but stronger Canadian dollar tempered further increases. Ongoing concerns about dry conditions in the U.S., especially the […] Read more

Manufactured in Saskatoon, Sask., the Redekop Seed Control Unit can be fitted onto the back of a combine to provide harvest weed seed control.

Use multiple strategies to control weeds in your crops

Rising herbicide resistance means it’s time to broaden your weed control arsenal with chemical, mechanical and non-chemical methods

Herbicides have long been the go-to solution for Prairie grain producers fighting weed infestations. Over time, it has led to widespread resistance development in many weed species and a shrinking list of chemical options for controlling pervasive weeds like kochia and wild oats that have become resistant to multiple modes of action in recent years. […] Read more


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Prairie cash wheat: Red spring wheats gain ground, durum dips

U.S. futures, Canadian dollar up on week

MarketsFarm — Wheat prices on the Canadian Prairies saw upticks in the red spring varieties during the week ended Thursday, while durum stepped back a little. A strong upswing in the U.S. wheat complex lent support to Canadian cash prices, but a slightly higher dollar tempered further increases. There’s continued dryness in the U.S., especially […] Read more

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Prairie cash wheat: U.S. futures drag down wheat bids

Potential for more interest rate hikes remains

MarketsFarm — Hawkish comments from the chair of the U.S. Federal Reserve and the possible renewal of the Black Sea Grain Initiative brought down wheat futures on the Chicago Board of Trade (CBOT) for the week ended Thursday — and, in turn, pressured western Canadian wheat bids. In front of the U.S. Senate banking committee […] Read more


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Prairie cash wheat: Bids dip with U.S. futures

Canadian dollar also down on week

MarketsFarm — Spring wheat bids in Western Canada posted losses during the week ended Thursday, underpinned as losses in U.S. futures weighed on values. Average Canada Western Red Spring (CWRS, 13.5 per cent protein) wheat prices were down by $3.50-$8.10 per tonne across the Prairies, according to price quotes from a cross-section of delivery points […] Read more

CBOT May 2023 soft red winter wheat with 20-day moving average, MGEX May 2023 hard red spring wheat (yellow line) and K.C. May 2023 hard red winter wheat (orange line). (Barchart)

U.S. grains: Wheat hits lowest since September 2021

Chicago corn, soy also fall

Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Board of Trade wheat futures dropped 1.6 per cent to their lowest level since September 2021 on Monday as rain across key growing areas during the weekend boosted harvest prospects for the U.S. crop, traders said. Optimism that the deal allowing grain shipments from Black Sea ports in war-torn Ukraine […] Read more