Western Canada Archives - Page 8 of 11

New record set for Prairie grain throughput in 2016-17

By Allan Dawson, GFM Network News August 22, 2017

Western Canada’s grain industry moved a record volume of grain in the 2016-17 crop year that ended July 31 and is gearing up to ship this year’s crop, expected to be the smallest in four years. Export terminals at Vancouver, Prince Rupert and Thunder Bay put through 35.945 million tonnes of grain last crop year, […] Read more

Canola, Crops, Markets

ICE weekly outlook: Canola market at mercy of weather

By GFM Network News July 5, 2017

CNS Canada — ICE Futures Canada canola contracts climbed higher during the week ended Wednesday, following gains in the U.S. soy market. The dominant November canola contract posted a gain of $28.70 per tonne. That lifted it above major resistance to settle at $510.80. Prices were also boosted by concerns that rising temperatures in Western […] Read more

Barley, Crops, Markets

Strong demand keeps Prairie feed barley well supported

By GFM Network News June 15, 2017

CNS Canada — Feed barley bids remain well supported in Western Canada, as solid demand and reluctant farmer selling keep the market underpinned heading into the summer months. “There is pretty decent demand. I’d say higher than average for this time of year,” said Brandon Motz, sales manager with CorNine Commodities in Lacombe, Alta. Strong […] Read more

Canola, Crops

Syngenta exits canola seed business

By Grainews Staff, GFM Network News June 13, 2017

Canola growers checking out Syngenta Canada’s 2018 seed guide for Western Canada will notice canola by its absence. Syngenta, which entered the Prairie canola seed market in 2013 and by this spring had six hybrid varieties on offer, said in a statement it has “recently taken the decision to exit the canola seed business.” The […] Read more

Crops, Oats, Weather

Prairie oats at tipping point

By GFM Network News May 17, 2017

CNS Canada –– Seeding delays in Western Canada could see more area shift into oats, which need a shorter growing season and minimal inputs compared to other options. However, with many fields still unharvested from last year, a tipping point will eventually be reached when nothing will be seeded at all in some areas. In […] Read more

Farmer Brian Derksen seeds wheat on May 2, 2017 near Miami, Man., about 80 km south of Portage la Prairie. (Screengrab from Allan Dawson video)

Crops, Weather

Prairie seeding off to ‘shaky start’

By GFM Network News May 4, 2017

CNS Canada — Western Canada will likely see some favourable seeding conditions in the short term, one meteorologist says, though wet pockets in some areas need longer to dry out. “We are getting off to a little bit of a shaky start in some spots, but it looks like the weather pattern is going to […] Read more

Finishers, Livestock, Markets

Klassen: Limited demand means mixed tone for feeders

By Jerry Klassen, GFM Network News April 11, 2017

Western Canadian feeder cattle prices experienced a mixed tone this past week. Heavier weaned calves were trading steady to as much as $4 higher compared to last week; however, shorter-term replacements were steady to $3 lower. Alberta packers were buying fed cattle in the range of $170 to $172, down from week-ago levels of $177. […] Read more

Climate Corp.’s prototype of an in-field sensor. Plans for an field sensor network are part of the Monsanto-owned company’s R+D program. (ClimateInsights.com)

Crops, Machinery

Climate Corp. crop data system in beta for Western Canada

By Grainews Staff, GFM Network News January 5, 2017

A major farm data analysis package, already being offered for sale in Eastern Canada for use this spring, is in beta testing toward a rollout later this year in Western Canada. Management from Monsanto and its farm data systems arm, The Climate Corp., speaking on a conference call Thursday, said they see a launch for […] Read more

Beef Cattle, Livestock

VIDEO: Bringing people to the ranch (virtually)

VR headset, 3-D videos offer a real-life look of cattle on the ranch

By Lisa Guenther November 30, 2016

In a bid to win over consumers, the Saskatchewan Cattlemen’s Association (SCA) has created 3-D videos showing how cattle are raised and cared for on Garret Hill’s Saskatchewan ranch. By putting on a headset and virtual reality glasses, people can stand in the middle of Hill’s cow-herd while he explains beef production practices. Grainews Field Editor […] Read more

Cattle amble through fresh snow in northwestern Saskatchewan on Oct. 22, 2016. (Lisa Guenther photo)

Crops, Weather

Prairies’ harvest window starting to close

By GFM Network News November 15, 2016

CNS Canada — The dry, balmy weather that gave farmers in Western Canada the chance to get the remainder of this year’s crop off appears to be winding down. “There is a little disturbance in Alberta coming across to northern Saskatchewan over the next two days; it will start tonight,” said Drew Lerner of World […] Read more

U.S. livestock: Hog futures hit contract highs on shock herd decline

Alberta Crop Report: Harvest more than three-quarters finished

NFU says proposed plant breeders’ rights come at farmers’ expense

GFM Network News