Cereals & Production Tips

The falling numbers test estimates the amount of sprouting in wheat, barley or rye. It measures the amount of alpha-amylase, an enzyme important in germination, which is present in the grain.

Four ways to avoid low falling numbers in grains

How accurate is the falling number test?

By Angela Lovell January 13, 2020

1. Harvest as soon as possible Try and harvest wheat as soon as possible after maturity. The longer it stays in the field once mature, the higher the risk of sprouting if it rains. On the other hand, don’t harvest too early — green kernels can have high alpha-amylase content to provide fuel for grain […] Read more

Barley south of Ethelton, Sask. on July 30, 2019. (Dave Bedard photo)

Barley, Crops

Prairie barley groups back new research funding arm

By GFM Network News January 13, 2020

The three Prairie barley growers’ groups are taking a more “collaborative” approach to longer-term national and regional research work on barley breeding. SaskBarley, Alberta Barley and the Manitoba Wheat and Barley Growers Association on Monday launched what they’ve dubbed the Canadian Barley Research Coalition (CBRC), following a path similar to that of the three provincial […] Read more

Crops, Markets, Spring Wheat

Prairie cash wheat: Depending on variety, bids a mixed bag

By GFM Network News January 12, 2020

MarketsFarm — Wheat bids in Western Canada varied for the week ended Thursday. Canada Western Red Spring (CWRS) wheat was mixed, while Canada Prairie Spring Red (CPSR) was stronger, and durum (CWAD) steady to slightly higher. The Canadian dollar lost about a half cent during the week. Average CWRS (13.5 per cent protein) wheat prices […] Read more

Barley, Crops, Markets, Spring Wheat, Weather

Feed weekly outlook: Firm undertone to Prairie grains

By GFM Network News January 9, 2020

MarketsFarm — Solid demand from cattle feeders and ongoing logistic issues across the Prairies should keep a firm undertone in the feed grain market for the time being, according to an Alberta broker. “The feed market has definitely moved higher,” said Brandon Motz of CorNine Commodities at Lacombe, Alta., adding “demand is strong through feedlot […] Read more

Cereals, Crops, Features

POGA speaks out on Value Creation

The Prairie Oat Growers Association have a plan to provide more funds to seed breeders

By Shawna Mathieson January 7, 2020

The Prairie Oat Growers Association (POGA) would like to provide comments on the Grainews editor’s column titled “Paying for seed breeding.” In this article, Leeann Minogue suggested that “We’re already electing farmers to commodity boards across the Prairies, and these boards are already investing our money into research and development. These elected reps are studying […] Read more

I could see lots of the worms crawling around next to an armyworm that I also observed on the plant.

Barley, Crops, Features

Crop advisor casebook: Can you identify the worms in this barley?

A Crop Advisor's Solution from the January 7, 2020 issue of Grainews

By Raeanne Denomie January 6, 2020

Like most farmers, Tom has dealt with his share of insect pests. He’s encountered many different pests at his 6,000-acre mixed grain operation near Wadena, Sask., over the years, but this past August he came across a new insect that had him stumped. Tom called me in early August to say he’d been out inspecting […] Read more

Crops, Markets, Spring Wheat

Prairie cash wheat: Bids rise over holidays

By GFM Network News January 3, 2020

MarketsFarm — Hard red spring wheat bids in Western Canada posted solid gains during the two-week holiday period ended Thursday, as gains in U.S. futures more than made up for the bearish influence of the rising Canadian dollar. Average Canada Western Red Spring (CWRS, 13.5 per cent protein) wheat prices were up by $5-$9 per […] Read more

Barley, Crops, Markets, Spring Wheat

Feed weekly outlook: Steady now but supplies will weigh

By GFM Network News January 3, 2020

MarketsFarm — Recent strength in U.S. wheat futures may be lending some spillover support to Canadian feed grain bids, but large supplies and a lack of aggressive demand kept the market steady heading into the New Year. The rise in wheat futures “has made the farmer a more reluctant seller,” said Allen Pirness of MarketPlace […] Read more

Ergot can be found on a number of “grass” species and not just rye. The fungal disease can develop on timothy grass as well as most cereal grains.

Cattleman’s Corner, Cereals, Livestock

Watch closely for ergot-infected feeds

Several grasses and some grain crops can be susceptible 

By Debbie Chikousky December 23, 2019

Last spring, auction mart chat turned a problem with ergot in grasses. The conversation pointed towards lame cattle resulting from feeding timothy straw. My curiosity piqued because a high percentage of cattle producers have been feeding everything from timothy straw to pea straw, to canola straw and bakery waste for the last few years, so […] Read more

Cereals, Crops, Features

New cereal varieties hitting the market for 2020

Canterra, FP Genetics, Proven Seed and SeCan are bringing new options to the market

By Leeann Minogue December 20, 2019

If you’re looking for CPSR, CWRS, durum or even barley, these four companies are bringing a handful of new varieties to the market for 2020. Wheat and durum breeders have been working hard to come up with better fusarium resistance. Canterra has developed a new two-row malt barley variety, and Proven Seed has two new […] Read more

U.S. livestock: Cattle, hogs rise

U.S. grains: Wheat falls on favorable weather in growing regions

ICE Weekly: Soyoil influencing canola prices

GFM Network News