(Scott Bauer photo courtesy ARS/USDA)

U.S. grains: Soy, corn futures close firm

Chicago | Reuters — U.S. soybean futures closed slightly firm on Thursday, supported by hopes that stepped-up exports to Europe would make up for business lost in a trade fight with China, traders said. Corn futures also settled in positive territory while wheat was mostly lower, weighed down by technical selling. Soybeans, corn and wheat […] Read more

(Canaryseed Development Commission of Saskatchewan photo)

Trade uncertainty hitting canary seed markets

CNS Canada — July is usually when Canadian canary seed prices weaken as producers dump unsold product onto the market — but this year that might not happen as trade uncertainty around the world affects the markets. “We tend to see weakness in July and then strength in the fall, but I don’t know if […] Read more



(Dave Bedard photo)

Higher prices could give flax acres a chance

CNS Canada — Strong demand for Canadian flax, combined with small production, has driven prices up, which could tempt producers making seeding choices this spring. Last year, the amount of flax seeded in Canada was down about a third from the previous growing season. As a result, stocks are short, despite large carryover. Demand, however, […] Read more



Schleitheim in the Fall: Schleitheim is the village I live in and write from.

Letter from Europe

Farm Perspectives

Background: Marianne Stamm grew up on a pioneer farm in the Peace country of British Columbia. Marriage to her Swiss husband Robert sent her to a mixed family farm in Switzerland, then back to a grain farm in Westlock, Alberta. She has now moved back to Switzerland to be near the grandchildren. Looking at the […] Read more


Durum wheat. (Gipsa.usda.gov)

Canada’s durum market share seen dropping

CNS Canada –– Global durum values are moving lower as producers in Europe and the U.S. start selling — and leaving Canada out of the market, one analyst says. “The only one that’s not selling aggressively is Canada, and we’re losing market share, big time,” said Jerry Klassen, manager of the Canadian office for Swiss-based […] Read more

A wheat crop in standing water. (Colton Yoder photo courtesy ARS/USDA)

Wet wheat weather watched worldwide

CNS Canada — Generous rainfall has benefited but also boosted the risk of disease on wheat crops in much of Canada and the U.S., and has also cut into grain quality in parts of Europe. However, according to Drew Lerner of U.S. forecast agency World Weather Inc., conditions during the harvest season will be the […] Read more


(File photo courtesy Canola Council of Canada)

Stacked LL/RR canola off the menu for 2016

The first canola hybrid to stack Genuity Roundup Ready and LibertyLink traits in one seed won’t be on the market for this growing season. Just weeks after its Jan. 22 announcement of a limited launch for InVigor Choice LR250 for the 2016 season, Bayer CropScience Canada now says concerns over seed quality and export market access have […] Read more

In provinces such as Manitoba and Ontario, fusarium head blight is now a given.

17 crop disease prevention strategies

Fungicides are key, but there are many other parts to an effective long-term strategy

As you can tell by the fact that this article includes 17, yes 17, strategies for crop diseases prevention, there are no quick fixes. Crop disease prevention is going to be an ongoing struggle. 1. Use multiple strategies: Understand that multiple strategies are the way to go. There isn’t one big hammer, rather lots of little hammers with […] Read more