lygus bug

Lambda-cy back in the toolbox

After two years reviewing updated data, regulators rule in favour of a popular pest control product

Prairie farmers are welcoming the return of some important insecticides to the crop protection toolbox — although there’s still some headshaking over why use of the products was interrupted in the first place, and why it took two years for the federal Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) to re-evaluate registration data. Although producers such as […] Read more


ergot floret

The hidden hazard of mycotoxins

The toxins can be associated with low performance before they have a clinical effect on cattle

Mycotoxins can be present in virtually all forages and other feedstuffs that cattle consume. A hidden hazard, mycotoxins can create a variety of problems, including impaired immune response, which can lead to secondary infections, compromised growth rates, reduced reproductive performance, lameness and gangrene. Illnesses caused by mycotoxins can be difficult to identify, and treatment with […] Read more

Photo: File

Feed Weekly: More grain to enter feed markets

Feed barley and feed wheat are in no short supply on the Prairies, according to Jim Beusekom, president of Market Place Commodities in Lethbridge, Alta. He has recently seen light test-weight barley and wheat coming from various places in Western Canada being shipped to feedlots. Beusekom added the feed grains were coming from “almost everywhere […] Read more



Health Canada had previously decided that gene edited crops are safe, so, in most cases they will be treated the same as crops developed through traditional plant breeding methods.  Photo: File

CFIA declares gene editing safe for livestock feed

Glacier FarmMedia – Leaders in Canada’s grain industry are praising the Canadian Food Inspection Agency for confirming gene edited crops are safe to use as livestock feed. Today, the Canola Council of Canada, the Canada Grains Council and Cereals Canada “applauded” the CFIA for its new guidance on gene editing. “This is a ground-breaking day […] Read more


The look, feel and smell test are a pretty good indicator of silage quality, but under variable growing conditions it is recommended feed be tested to determine feed value and make sure there are no harmful toxins.

Balancing variable corn silage quality to a ration

Dairy Corner: Always recommended to start with a feed analysis to know what you have

I am amazed on how each summer differs in Manitoba. Two summers ago, we had severe drought, last summer was extremely wet and this year started with record heat, then cooled down to night-time single digits. Luckily, temperatures picked up again, all the while with spotty thunderstorms. Such climatic difference presents a patchwork of knee-to […] Read more

Oats. (Greg Berg photo)

Oat miller to steer clear of lambda-cy

Grain Millers bans oats treated with insecticide product

The federal government’s decision to ban the use of lambda-cyhalothrin insecticides on any crops destined for feed use has now led at least one Canadian miller to prohibit any deliveries of oats treated with the chemical. Oregon-based processor Grain Millers, whose Canadian operations include its oat mill at Yorkton, Sask., said in a memo Tuesday […] Read more


Pasture conditions during the spring and summer always have an affect on beef markets.

Positive margins underpin feeder complex

Market Update with Jerry Klassen: As usual, a lot will depend on whether there’s moisture for grass and feed grains

During the second week of April, Alberta packers were buying live fed cattle in the range of $229-$230/cwt f.o.b. feedlot in southern Alberta. This is up approximately $7 from mid-April. Breakeven pen closeouts are around $220/cwt. After struggling for nearly three years in a row, feeding margins have finally moved into positive territory. Strength in […] Read more

U.S. and Canadian beef cow slaughter has been higher than expected throughout the first quarter of 2023, but this is expected to change.

Feeder cattle prices to peak this November

Market Update with Jerry Klassen: The fall of 2023 is not a good time to think about backgrounding calves

U.S. and Canadian feeder cattle prices have been trending higher over the past year. As of late March, quality genetic steers with medium to lower flesh, averaging 950 pounds were valued at $244 in Central Alberta. Higher quality heifers with lower flesh were trading at an $18-$20 discount to steers. Calf prices were also nearing […] Read more