Crops & Production Tips

Alberta Crop Report

Crop conditions as of July 21, 2015

By Alberta Agriculture July 24, 2015

Over the past week most of the province received upwards of 20 mm of rain, which helped dry areas and somewhat alleviated moisture stress on cereals and oilseeds crops. Localized areas around Calgary, Red Deer, Rocky Mountain House, Valleyview/High Prairie and Smoky Lake received over 50 mm of precipitation. Scattered hail storms were reported in […] Read more

There is always something new out there…The Ag In Motion farm show near Saskatoon this week was the “Pot of Gold” in terms of discovering what is new or is coming down the pipeline with new farm machinery, production technology and advances in crop development. Above, Leeann Minogue, editor of Grainews interviews, centre, talks with Kent Gulash, district sales manager with Dow AgroSciences about new DAS canola varieties that are entering the market this year, as well as other leading hybrid varieties still in development. Looking on is Loralee Orr, DAS communications leader.

Crops, Livestock, News

PHOTOS: Ag in Motion: Photo gallery wrap-up

A few more final sights from Western Canada's Outdoor Farm Expo

By Grainews Staff July 24, 2015

There is always something new out there…The Ag In Motion farm show near Saskatoon this week was the “Pot of Gold” in terms of discovering what is new or is coming down the pipeline with new farm machinery, production technology and advances in crop development. Above, Leeann Minogue, editor of Grainews interviews, centre, talks with […] Read more

Canola, Crops

Desiccants for dry down and your canola crop

Desiccants are more economical, but there  are still limited applications for canola

By Angela Lovell July 24, 2015

Late spring frosts and extremely dry conditions in various parts of the Prairies mean a lot of farmers will face uneven maturity at harvest time — especially with canola crops that had to be reseeded in parts of Manitoba and Saskatchewan. The question is, what can they use pre-harvest to dry down their crops and […] Read more

Crops

Crops varied, but production down overall: tour

By GFM Network News July 24, 2015

Regina — Crop conditions across Western Canada ranged from good to poor during CWB tours of the Prairie provinces over the week ended July 24, with ‘variability’ the key word in any discussion on this year’s prospects. Production on canola and wheat will be down overall, but perhaps by not as much as originally thought. […] Read more

Mature winter wheat. (Allan Dawson photo)

Canola, Crops, Spring Wheat

CWB tour pegs wheat at 38.9 bushels

By Rod Nickel, GFM Network News July 24, 2015

Regina / Reuters —Western Canada spring wheat, durum and canola yields look to fall sharply from last year’s levels, due to hot, dry conditions, leaders of a crop tour said on Friday. The second-annual CWB Market Research Services crop tour pegged spring wheat yield potential in the region at 38.9 bushels per acre on average, down […] Read more

Crops, Markets, Reuters

U.S. grains: Corn posts biggest weekly loss in a year; soy, wheat also sag

By GFM Network News July 24, 2015

Chicago/Reuters – U.S. corn futures posted their biggest weekly decline in a year on improving prospects in the Midwest during the crop’s key growth phase, raising expectations for a bumper harvest. Soybean and wheat futures also fell on chart-based selling and spillover pressure from outside commodity markets, including metals and crude oil. “It’s now making […] Read more

"We’re finding very few bertha armyworm moths, which means we're not expecting any trouble with them this year."

Crops, News

Good news on berthas but watch for hoppers

By Grainews Staff July 23, 2015

In his weekly Call of the Land report, Alberta Agriculture insect management specialist Scott Meers says there is good news on bertha armyworm in the province this year. “We’re finding very few bertha armyworm moths, which means we’re not expecting any trouble with them this year,” he said. Only three traps have been found with […] Read more

This photo shows uneven growth in a Montana barley field on June 22. The field is highly infested with cereal cyst nematodes.

Cereals, Crops

Cereal cyst nematodes getting closer to the Prairies

These nematodes are in Montana, and their symptoms are worse in drought conditions

By Julienne Isaacs July 23, 2015

Prairie grain producers should be on the lookout for cereal cyst nematodes (CCN) this year. This soil-borne pest has not yet been discovered in the Prairie provinces, but the species Heterodera filipjevi has been newly confirmed in Montana. Cereal cyst nematodes are worm-shaped, microscopic soil-dwelling organisms that can cause yield losses of 30 to 50 […] Read more

Crops, Markets, Reuters

U.S. grains: U.S. soy falls on improving crop prospects; corn, wheat firm

By GFM Network News July 23, 2015

Chicago/Reuters – U.S. soybean futures fell on Thursday as improving weather in major Midwest growing areas increased expectations of ample production, traders said. Wheat futures firmed on a round of bargain buying and technical support, snapping a seven session losing streak for the front-month contract. Corn also edged higher, with the gains in wheat sparking […] 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

Daily Network News

JBS reaches deal with U.S. meatpacking workers who went on strike

Public consultation open on national beef code of practice

Pulse weekly: Indian forecasters predict below-normal monsoon