Weather & Production Tips

Abrupt mid-March shift into spring predicted

By MarketsFarm Team, GFM Network News February 27, 2019

Winter conditions are expected to remain the norm across the Canadian Prairies through the middle of March, when a sudden pattern change brings an abrupt start to spring, according to the latest seasonal forecast from The Weather Network. The quick move from cold to warm conditions raises the risk of flooding in areas with a […] Read more

The Red River in southern Winnipeg. (File photo by Dave Bedard)

General, Weather

U.S. agency sees high spring flood risk for Red River

By GFM Network News February 26, 2019

As most of Western Canada continues to brace for frigid temperatures, some in southern Manitoba are already preparing for a messy spring. The U.S. National Weather Service on Thursday reported the Red River is in danger of significant flooding due to rapid snowmelt in March. Its report stated the risk for significant snowmelt flooding is […] Read more

Barley, Corn, Crops, Markets, Spring Wheat, Weather

Feed weekly outlook: Markets steady amid cold Alberta weather

By Phil Franz-Warkentin, GFM Network News February 14, 2019

Excessively cold temperatures in Alberta may be causing headaches for both feed grain buyers and sellers, but prices remain relatively steady for what’s moving. The cold weather hasn’t really led to a significant increase in demand, but “it’s definitely made the farmer grumpy,” said Brandon Motz of CorNine Commodities in Lacombe, Alta. “In general, the […] Read more

Crops, Machinery, Reuters, Weather

Three crew die in CP grain train derailment

By Reuters, GFM Network News February 4, 2019

Toronto | Reuters — Three crew members died on Monday when a Canadian Pacific Railway grain train derailed in British Columbia, a Transportation Safety Board (TSB) spokesman said. The accident occurred when a train carrying 40 to 60 grain hopper cars derailed near Field, B.C., the TSB spokesman said. TSB is investigating the cause of […] Read more

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s final map of designated areas for the livestock tax deferral provision for the 2018 tax year, as of Jan. 30, 2019. (Agr.gc.ca)

Livestock, Weather

Livestock tax deferral map expands again for 2018

By GFM Network News January 30, 2019

Some northern and southwestern Ontario producers who had to sell breeding livestock due to drought in the 2018 tax year can now defer chunks of the income from those sales when filing their income taxes. The federal government on Wednesday rolled out its final list and map of designated regions for 2018 under its livestock […] Read more

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s map of deferral-designated areas for the 2018 tax year as of Oct. 25, 2018. (Agr.gc.ca)

Beef Cattle, Livestock, Weather

Unusual third assessment run for livestock tax deferrals

By GFM Network News January 29, 2019

In an unusual move, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada has undertaken a third assessment for the federal livestock tax deferral. “Federal officials are currently finalizing the analysis to identify whether any additional regions have met the criteria for the livestock tax deferral,” AAFC spokesperson James Watson said. Under the deferral plan, cattle producers affected by severe […] Read more

Crops, Weather

Flea beetles top Manitoba’s 2019 watch list

By GFM Network News January 19, 2019

Cold temperatures hitting Manitoba won’t do much to hurt flea beetles overwintering, leaving the pest as a major concern for canola farmers heading into spring. Flea beetle numbers were quite high in Manitoba in 2018, making them “probably at the top of the list of (insects) to watch out for this year,” said John Gavloski, […] Read more

A file photo of Brazil’s Mata Atlantica (Atlantic rainforest). (FG Trade/E+/Getty Images)

General, Reuters, Weather

Brazil ag minister eyes indigenous land for commercial farming

By GFM Network News January 18, 2019

Brasilia | Reuters — Brazil should open indigenous land to commercial farming, Agriculture Minister Tereza Cristina Dias said on Friday, while also seeking to soften many of President Jair Bolsonaro’s controversial stances on native people and the environment. Farmers form a key base of support for right-wing firebrand Bolsonaro who since taking office Jan. 1 […] Read more

Livestock, Markets, Reuters, Weather

U.S. livestock: Cattle ease on technical selling ahead of storm

By Michael Hirtzer, GFM Network News January 18, 2019

Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Mercantile Exchange livestock futures were lower on Thursday, with live cattle prices easing from recent contract highs on technical selling ahead of a major winter storm forecast to hit U.S. cattle country, traders said. Feeder cattle futures fell to a roughly 1-1/2 week low, pressured in part by rising corn […] Read more

(Video screengrab from BJordan.liberal.ca)

General, Weather

Rural development strategy sought in federal shuffle

By GFM Network News January 17, 2019

Rural economic development has been given a promotion at the federal level in Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s latest cabinet shuffle. In the shuffle, following the departure of Treasury Board president Scott Brison from cabinet, Trudeau on Monday called up Bernadette Jordan, MP for the southern Nova Scotia riding of South Shore-St.Margaret’s, to head a newly […] Read more

Daily Network News

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