Hay & Production Tips

Prairie hay crops look thin in many areas

By GFM Network News July 19, 2018

CNS Canada — Many farmers taking off their first hay cuts are also gathering more talking points to grumble over at coffee row. While many producers are still working to get the first cut done and the situation could change with the second cut, many regions are already reporting below-average yields. “In areas of the […] Read more

Crops, Hay, Weather

Hay shortage could make for difficult winter

By GFM Network News October 3, 2017

CNS Canada — Many cattle producers looking for local feed this winter might have a difficult time, according to a Saskatchewan provincial forage specialist. However, producers further north in the grey and black soil zones, and those in Alberta producing high-quality feed for export, saw near-record hay production. Terry Kowalchuk of Saskatchewan Agriculture in Regina […] Read more

Crops, Hay, Reuters, Weather

U.S. northern Plains ranchers welcome hay lottery

By GFM Network News August 18, 2017

Reuters — Hundreds of livestock ranchers in the drought-stricken U.S. northern Plains are embracing what organizers say is the first lottery designed to provide some much-needed relief to their operations. The prize? Tons and tons of hay. Ranchers in North Dakota, South Dakota and Montana have been suffering through the region’s worst drought in 30 […] Read more

Forage specialist Glenn Shewmaker demonstrates how to collect and place handfuls of hay samples in the tube. Pack the samples in tight and then insert the moisture sensor into the tube at different depths to get a field reading of hay moisture.

Cattleman’s Corner, Hay

Simple tool improves hay moisture test

With a compacted sample and an electronic tester, a more accurate moisture reading can be made in the field

By Michael Thomas June 8, 2017

Packaging quality alfalfa hay can be a challenge. The hay industry is constantly pursuing new technologies to help the hay producer grow and package consistently high-quality forage. Machinery design has advanced in order to handle the hay as delicately as possible to minimize leaf loss. But, even with these advances, the proper moisture level is […] Read more

Crops, Hay, Machinery

Technology could open up hay export markets for Ontario

By GFM Network News March 21, 2017

An Ontario hay co-operative hopes to have a double-compaction facility running by 2018, giving it access to global markets for hay. Ontario hay has traditionally been at a shipping cost disadvantage compared to most competitors, as hay headed for Asia or the Middle East has had to be shipped by rail to the West Coast. […] Read more

MacDon displayed one of its new R1 Series machines at Manitoba Ag Days in Brandon in January.

Hay, Machinery

New mower conditioners from MacDon

MacDon's two-model R1 Series pull-types offer a wide range of features for farmers

By Scott Garvey March 28, 2016

In August MacDon announced it was introducing a two-model line of pull-type mower conditioners called the R1 Series. The model on display at Manitoba Ag Days in Brandon this past January provided farmers with one of their first opportunities to get a close look at one. The R1s are available in 13– and 16-foot working […] Read more

Missing equipment found on a rural property southwest of Saskatoon in 2016 was valued at over $1.2 million. (Photo courtesy Saskatoon RCMP)

Hay, Livestock, Machinery

Sask. rancher charged as missing equipment found

By Grainews Staff, GFM Network News February 13, 2016

A western Saskatchewan cattle rancher faces charges of theft and possession of stolen goods after the discovery of missing tractors, balers, trucks and other equipment Thursday. Iain Stables, 38, is due in Provincial Court in Saskatoon on April 14 to answer to 29 criminal charges, Saskatoon RCMP said in a release Friday. Saskatoon and Warman […] Read more

The SW 4014 bale wrapper from Kuhn uses an autoload feature which allows the tractor to continue moving while the bale is loaded, wrapped and set back down.

Hay, Machinery

Kuhn debuts high-speed bale wrapper

The SW 4014 offers non-stop field travel and can wrap square or round bales

By Scott Garvey January 19, 2016

Engineers at Kuhn must be busy clearing wall space in their offices to hang all the awards the company’s new SW 4014 bale wrapper has picked up lately. When the company displayed it at Germany’s Agritechnica in November it raked in a Silver Innovation award. Earlier in the year it won an AE50 award here […] Read more

Crops, Forages, Hay, Markets, Weather

Hay producers see increased competition, lower prices

By GFM Network News December 7, 2015

CNS Canada — Canada’s export hay prices have come down from summer highs and now sit at less than half their previous levels, but despite competition from other growing regions, a weak loonie is helping Canadian producers. South Africa, Eastern Europe and Argentina have increased their alfalfa production, said Edward J. Shaw, director of market […] Read more

Crops, Forages, Hay, Markets

Hay prices stabilize in Sask., Man.

By GFM Network News October 16, 2015

CNS Canada –– Timely rains have drastically improved the forage crop outlooks for Saskatchewan and Manitoba, while also putting prices back into their normal ranges. “Skyrocketing hay prices have stabilized… supplies are good,” said Terry Kowalchuk, a provincial forage crop specialist in Regina. Prices are mostly back down into the $80-$100 per tonne range, he […] Read more

GFM Network News

U.S. livestock: Cattle rebound on technical buying

U.S. grains: Soybeans fall as rapid harvest overshadows China trade hopes

Good weather pushes Alberta harvest along

Hay