wheat stem sawfly

How farmers can help map, monitor and forecast pest outbreaks

Researchers can help producers develop pest management plans — but farmers’ help is needed to know which pests are where, and how many

Prairie scientists conducting research into field crop pests can always use more help from producers — whether it’s by granting access to farmland, or just by reporting what they see in the field.




AgraCity’s recent announcement of financial problems follows complaints by farmers that they have not received herbicide they had ordered and paid for. Photo: File

AgraCity says it is unable to fill orders

AgraCity has told customers it will be unable to deliver outstanding product in a timely manner this spring due to cash flowproblems

AgraCity has told customers it will be unable to deliver outstanding product in a timely manner this spring due to cash flowproblems


File photo of storm clouds over northeastern Alberta. (ImagineGolf/E+/Getty Images)

Prairie forecast: Summer pattern making forecast difficult

Forecast issued June 4, covering June 4-11, 2025

We start this forecast period off with an area of low pressure over far northern Manitoba that is slowly moving off into Hudson Bay. To the west, an area of low pressure is developing over the Yukon which is helping to develop a weak ridge of high pressure over Alberta. Over southern Saskatchewan and Manitoba weak high pressure is in place.

wildfire smoke over cattle grazing outside calgary 2023

What we know about how wildfire smoke affects Prairie crops

Impacts depend on smoke quantity, plant progress, surrounding weather conditions

With nearly 100 active wildfires across the three Prairie provinces at this writing, farmers don’t have to go far to see and feel the effects of smoke in the atmosphere — but what this year’s crops will experience is a more complicated matter. If you’ve got time for some reading right now, here we’ve gathered […] Read more





(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)

Prairie forecast: Mostly warm and dry weather expected

Forecast issued May 28, covering May 28 to June 4, 2025

We start off with high pressure dominating most of the Prairies. A large surface high is sitting over the north-central U.S. This is beginning to tap into more heat and moisture, which will allow for warmer daytime highs and nighttime lows as dewpoints creep up.

(Geralyn Wichers photo)

Klassen: Lower beef production forecasts support feeder complex

Improving feedlot margins contributed to the stronger feeder market. Alberta packers were buying finished cattle on a dressed basis at $500/cwt delivered which was fresh record high. Using a 60 per cent grading, this equates to a live price of $300/cwt. Feedlot breakeven pen closeouts are in the range of $260-$270/cwt. Feedlots are anxious to reload and larger groups of quality packages are limited at this time of year.