Targeting a seeding rate to produce 38 wheat plants per square foot, Wade McAllister was impressed with the uniform seed placement delivered by the SeedMaster Ultra SR drill, which, in turn, resulted in very even germination of CPS Penhold wheat.

Profitability isn’t always about yield

Efficiency increases and cost reductions more than cover yield shortfall with a 60-foot single rank air drill on 15-inch row spacing

As Wade McAllister heads into his second full seeding season this year with a single rank 60-foot drill on 15-inch row spacing, he is convinced there are more factors that contribute to farm profitability than just yield. The central Alberta farmer agrees that, yes, yield is important, but with the new drill — which is […] Read more


FCL’s Co-op Fertilizer Terminal at Brandon. (Photo courtesy Federated Co-operatives Ltd.)

Fertilizer prices to remain high for now

MarketsFarm — There are two factors to consider when it comes to fertilizer. One is the cost as it’s to remain quite expensive at least through the first quarter of 2022, according to Chris Lawson, head of fertilizers for the CRU Group. The other is its availability, said Todd Lewis, president of the Agricultural Producers […] Read more



A new fence was built across summer pasture, to better manage cattle with rest/rotational grazing.

Eppich: Seeding and foaling begin

Early April found us cleaning seed. Gregory had the cleaning plant running all day and was able to work on projects around the yard but always had to be close by to make sure everything was working properly and doing a good job. On April 24 we put tin on the roof of Gregory’s grandmother’s […] Read more

(Dave Bedard photo)

Canola, wheat acres in opposite trends before StatsCan report

'Every commodity was offering options that were profitable'

MarketsFarm — Just days prior to Statistics Canada issuing its latest survey-based crop acreage report on Tuesday next week, analysts are estimating a rise in canola acres at the expense of wheat. “Coming through the winter and towards spring seeding, we were looking at canola prices that were at their highest levels of all time,” […] Read more


CBOT July 2021 soybeans (candlesticks) with 20- and 100-day moving averages (green and black lines) and ICE November 2021 canola (yellow line, left column). (Barchart)

U.S. grains: Soy eases on improved weather view

Chicago corn mixed, wheat down

Chicago | Reuters — U.S. soybean futures fell on Tuesday on an improved weather outlook for the Midwest crop belt, analysts said. The forecasts for cooler and wetter conditions later this month also pressured new-crop corn futures on the Chicago Board of Trade (CBOT), although front-month July gained against back months on spreads, reflecting tight […] Read more

Pinto beans. (Vergani_Fotografia/iStock/Getty Images)

Pulse weekly outlook: Manitoba crops emerge despite dry soils

Beans 'tougher than people think'

MarketsFarm — While Manitoba continues to deal with drought conditions in many growing areas, planting of pulses and soybeans is near done and some pulses are starting to emerge. “Pea and fava bean seeding wrapped up a while ago,” said Cassandra Tkachuk, production specialist for Manitoba Pulse and Soybean Growers (MPSG). “Dry bean planting actually […] Read more


CBOT July 2021 soybeans with Bollinger (20,2) bands. (Barchart)

CBOT weekly outlook: Commodities see ‘much needed’ correction

'You’re not going to go up every day'

MarketsFarm — A bullish market and sharp increases in commodities at the Chicago Board of Trade (CBOT), turned downward Wednesday in what Sean Lusk of Walsh Commercial Hedging Services called a “much needed correction.” Prices pulled back that day by varying degrees for soybean, corn and wheat futures, coinciding with declines in other commodity futures […] Read more

File photo of a pea crop south of Ethelton, Sask. on Aug. 1, 2019. (Dave Bedard photo)

Pulse weekly outlook: Peas, beans hold up in dry Manitoba

MarketsFarm — Of the pulses being planted in Manitoba this spring, field peas and dry beans appear the best able to handle the difficult drought conditions the province continues to experience throughout its growing areas. Field peas “have a relatively low water requirement, similar to dry beans,” Cassandra Tkachuk, production specialist with Manitoba Pulse and […] Read more