Crops & Production Tips

Fertilizer in storage at a phosphate plant in North Carolina.

Understanding soil phosphorus, part 1

Agronomy Management: Rotations and fertilizer management have dramatic effects on pools of organic and inorganic P

By Ross H. McKenzie February 28, 2025

Farmers and agronomists are very aware that phosphorus (P) is an essential element needed for optimum crop production in Western Canada. Most soils used for annual crops in Western Canada are very low, low or medium in plant-available soil P and are responsive to added P fertilizer. As a result, phosphate fertilizer use is second […] Read more

Beef Cattle, Canola, Equipment, Markets

FCC’s charts to consider in 2025

On a per-acre basis, equipment costs have risen faster than farm revenue

By Farm Credit Canada February 28, 2025

Editor’s Note: Following are excerpts from a Jan. 15 blog post by the Economics branch of Farm Credit Canada. “As we start the new year amid new challenges, including slowing population growth and potential trade barriers, here are our top charts to help make sense of the economic environment for the agriculture and agri-food sector, […] Read more

Barley, Corn, Crops, Livestock

Feed Grain Weekly: Tariffs could hurt feedlots, grain farmers

Cattle feed industry in Western Canada under threat

By Adam Peleshaty February 27, 2025

Upcoming tariffs by United States President Donald Trump could greatly affect feedlots and grain farmers in Western Canada according to Market Place Commodities president Jim Beusekom.

Canola, Markets, Soybeans

ICE Canada Weekly: Tariffs coming, may not last long says analyst

Canola likely to tally post-tariffs

By Glen Hallick - MarketsFarm February 26, 2025

To Errol Andersson of Errol's Commodity Wire in Calgary, there's little doubt the Trump administration will press ahead with tariffs on Canada and Mexico.

Corn, Markets, Soybeans, Spring Wheat, Winter Wheat

CBOT Weekly: Tariffs front and centre at CBOT

Trump’s threats pressure crop markets

By Adam Peleshaty February 26, 2025

Tariff threats from United States President Donald Trump caused a downturn at the Chicago Board of Trade during the week ended Feb. 26, 2025.

Canola, Features

Pioneer levels up against sclerotinia

Corteva’s new canola hybrid delivers fungicide-equivalent protection

By Don Norman February 26, 2025

Fungicide-equivalent protection against sclerotinia has long been an elusive target for canola breeders — but Pioneer appears to have cracked the code. The Corteva-owned seed brand released its P617SL hybrid commercially in 2024, and the company says its trial data backs up the fungicide-equivalent claim. While the Canola Council of Canada can’t speak to specific […] Read more

Lentils, Peas, Pulses

Pulse Weekly: Prices to dictate spring acres, broker says

By Adam Peleshaty February 25, 2025

Prices for new crop pulses will largely determine how many acres will be grown this spring, according to Levon Sargsyan of Johnston's Grain in Calgary.

Entry way to the Global seed vault in Svalbard. Photo: BDPhoto/iStock/Getty Images

Crops, News, Reuters

Arctic doomsday seed vault gets more than 14,000 new samples

By Reuters February 25, 2025

The Svalbard Global Seed Vault, storing food crop seeds from around the world in man-made caves on a remote Norwegian Arctic island will receive more than 14,000 new samples on Tuesday, a custodian of the facility said.

Crops, Features

Grasshopper threat remains for Saskatchewan crops

Hot, dry conditions in mid- to late summer and well into fall were ideal for egg laying

By Jim Timlick February 23, 2025

Grasshoppers didn’t pose a serious threat to crops in most parts of Saskatchewan in 2024 — but a leading entomologist warned growers attending the recent Saskatchewan Agronomy Update conference not to be lulled into a false sense of security about the threat they could present this coming season. James Tansey, an insect pest management specialist […] Read more

Cereals, Markets, News, Spring Wheat, Winter Wheat

Prairie Wheat Weekly: Modest increases across the region

By Glen Hallick - MarketsFarm February 21, 2025

Western Canadian cash prices for spring wheat and amber durum made small gains during the week ended Feb. 20. Support came from higher prices in the United States wheat complex, but a stronger Canadian dollar limited the increases

Daily Network News

‘We should always aim for free trade’: low tariffs not good enough say agriculture leaders on Hoekstra remarks

CBOT weekly outlook: Soybeans/corn awaiting acreage data

ICE Canada Weekly: More behind canola, soyoil than crude oil prices

Crops