While livestock and crop producers were disappointed with the May 5 announcement from the federal government that the industry was receiving only $252 million in pandemic assistance, other sectors appreciated the help. McCain Foods for example was glad to hear that about $50 million of that $252 million would be used to support a surplus […] Read more
This is no time for the Feds to get tight with the purse strings
Cash and commitments needed for livestock and crop sectors
Canadian farmers hanging on by their fingertips
COVID-19 is sucking the life out of the Canadian agriculture industry and there aren’t that many weeks left before farm operations across the country will be among the casualties of the pandemic — victims of the so-called financial assistance from the federal government that was truly too little, too late. It was a sombre panel […] Read more
Beef and crop information updates for May 1st
The Beef Cattle Research Council posted a blog today, which provides beef producers links to about three dozen different websites offering relevant and useful information on everything from feeding to farm management to mental health. Check it out at: http://www.beefresearch.ca/blog/resources-for-beef-producers-during-market-disruptions/ Recognizing there is certainly nothing NORMAL with all the life changes surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, […] Read more
Updates on China exports, COVID-19, Canola Cash Advance
The Canola Council of Canada (CCC) along with the Canadian Canola Growers Association provided an update Tuesday morning of where things are at with the canola industry in light of market access in China and the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on seeding progress here at home. It is a busy and challenging time on several […] Read more
How to use remote sensing for crops to its fullest potential
Images from drones and satellites can be part of a much bigger picture
Remote sensing tools can produce a lot of valuable information about what’s happening on farmland and within your crops, but the full potential has yet to be properly harnessed, says a north-central Alberta agronomist after studying the technology for a couple years. Satellite imagery, aerial photography and images captured by unmanned drones are all forms […] Read more
Industry ponders ideal canola seeding depth
One of several factors affecting success of stand establishment
Coming up with an ideal recommended canola seeding depth is a bit like the Goldilocks story where the bowls of porridge ranged from either too hot or too cold. When it comes to seeding canola, the ideal recommendation can’t be too shallow or too deep, but what is the just-right depth recommendation — most likely […] Read more
Beef industry urgently needs federal government assistance.
Canadian beef producers – primarily cattle feeders – could be hit with as much as a half-billion-dollars in losses over the next few weeks if the federal government doesn’t soon step up with some desperately needed assistance to help the industry weather the COVID19 pandemic storm. The pressure mounts as processing capacity is dramatically reduced […] Read more
Perhaps I spoke too soon on the coronavirus
COVID-19 pandemic has turned the world on its head
Well, since I last shared my views on the COVID-19 pandemic a couple weeks ago, I am pleased to report that I was completely wrong, and although I am 100 per cent healthy, the spread of the coronavirus has affected/changed just about every other aspect of my life today and into the foreseeable future. I […] Read more
Hopefully canola deal is not an April Fools joke
There it was tucked away on Page 3 of today’s Calgary Herald — apparently there is some disease outbreak that has greater importance — but there on Page 3 a report that China appears to be prepared to lift its yearlong ban on Canadian canola imports. It is a notch above the rumour stage, but still […] Read more
This will be my first pandemic
What’s my greatest risk factor — a virus or french fries?
I am not sure what is going to take me out first — A. the COVID-19 virus (also known as the coronavirus); or B. an overdose of media coverage of the COVID-19 virus. I don’t mean to sound flippant about the COVID-19 virus. As one of those in the high-risk category (a senior citizen) it […] Read more