Pasture & Production Tips

A rail car from SGCC’s fleet. (Dave Bedard photo)

Saskatchewan budget seen as costly touch for farms

By Leeann Minogue, GFM Network News April 17, 2017

Saskatchewan’s general farm organization is consulting its farmer members on less-discussed features of last month’s provincial budget, while warning them to brace for impact from new budget-related costs. The Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan last Monday wrapped up its latest round of spring district meetings, at all six of which APAS general manager Duane Haave […] Read more

Palmer amaranth. (United Soybean Board photo)

Corn, Crops, Pasture, Reuters

Minnesota finds source of Palmer amaranth on CRP land

By GFM Network News April 6, 2017

Reuters — An invasive weed likely entered Minnesota through seed planted on land in a U.S. conservation program, state agriculture officials said on Thursday, bringing to a close an official probe of a growing threat to agricultural production. Infestations of the weed, Palmer amaranth, have affected other states in the U.S. Midwest through seed planted […] Read more

Beef Cattle, Livestock, Pasture, Reuters

JBS accused of violating rainforest protection laws

By GFM Network News April 1, 2017

Brasilia | Reuters –– The world’s largest meatpacker, Brazil’s JBS SA, has for years knowingly bought cattle that were raised on illegally deforested land, turning a blind eye to regulations meant to protect the Amazon rainforest, Brazil’s environmental regulator has alleged. The accusation comes even as JBS and other meatpackers in Brazil, the top global […] Read more

A high stocking density and moving cattle quickly through pastures works well for both  beef production and waterfowl conservation objectives.

Cattleman’s Corner, Livestock, Pasture

Cows and ducks work well together

Producer applies his rotational grazing system to conservation pastures

By Angela Lovell March 9, 2017

Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) and Rapid City, Manitoba area cattle producer Gerald Bos are working collaboratively on a project that’s a win-win situation for both by benefitting nesting waterfowl and Bos’s beef herd. The project revolves around ‘The Smith purchase’ — a half section of land that DUC bought in 1994, which happens to be […] Read more

Moisture and a reduced stocking rate helped pastures to get back into a productive state above and below ground.

Cattleman’s Corner, Livestock, Pasture

Keeping soil biology ticking

Pasture Management: Grazing setbacks happen, but find opportunities to get back on track

By Kim Nielsen March 1, 2017

Normal weather” at 4 Clover Ranch near Rocky Mountain House, Alta. has been illusive for a couple of years at least and it has created some grazing challenges at the expense of pasture performance. Our planned grazing system, where we look at the health of the grass on an ongoing basis, has responded well over […] Read more

Crops, Pasture

Six tips to successful land rental

By Marianne Stamm May 2, 2016

This title to the old Russian folk tale by Leo Tolstoy hasn’t lost any of its significance.* It’s a question farmers ponder today, as land and land rent prices continue to rise to levels never seen before. Despite lower commodity prices, the cost of land is still rising dramatically in the Westlock, Alta. area (about […] Read more

Crops, Fruit/Vegetables, Machinery, Pasture

Salford buys tillage equipment maker AerWay

By Grainews Staff, GFM Network News January 8, 2016

Southwestern Ontario vertical tillage and pasture equipment maker AerWay has become part of another well-known Ontario ag equipment manufacturer. Salford Group announced in December it has bought the AerWay advanced aeration products line from the Canadian trailer systems arm of German truck, bus and trailer axle and suspension manufacturer SAF-Holland. AerWay, which operates a manufacturing […] Read more

Crops, Forages, Pasture

Look to crop insurance first: Ritz

By Shannon VanRaes, GFM Network News July 23, 2015

While many crops across Western Canada are withering under intensifying drought, Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz says ad hoc programs are not the answer should producers require assistance. However, tax deferral will be available for affected ranchers. “We don’t need ad hoc (assistance), we’ve got a very comprehensive system of business risk management,” said Gerry Ritz, speaking […] Read more

Crops, Hay, Pasture, Weather

FCC to offer breaks on loans in Sask., Alta.

By Grainews Staff, GFM Network News July 13, 2015

Customers of Farm Credit Canada in parched areas of Alberta and Saskatchewan may be able to get breaks on their outstanding loan payments. FCC on Monday announced it would work with affected customers on “solutions for their operation(s)” such as deferral of principal payments and/or otherwise amending their loan payment schedules. The offer applies to […] Read more

Crops, Hay, Pasture, Weather

Parched Prairie forages hang in under stress

By GFM Network News July 9, 2015

CNS Canada — Sporadic rains and prolonged periods of dryness are taking their toll on forage crops in Alberta and parts of Saskatchewan. According to Terry Kowalchuk, a forage crop specialist with Saskatchewan Agriculture in Regina, the eastern half of the province is managing, but the situation is worse in the province’s west. The western […] Read more

GFM Network News

U.S. livestock: Feeder cattle hit contract highs on tight supply

U.S. grains: Soybeans tumble on doubts over U.S.-China trade progress

Alberta harvest wrapping up: report

Pasture