Strong outlook for organic grain prices, panel says

While conventional farmers fume about rail delays and falling prices, the organic sector is worried that supply shortages and sky-high prices may derail future growth. “I think most people know that in the market today, demand outstrips supply and that’s why we have the prices that we do,” said Ken Sabatier, a buyer for Grower’s[...]

Livestock feed markets and the ‘big oil deficit’

Food and feed are the main sources of global demand for crops but climate-related policies could tip that apple cart.
 Governments are making legislative overtures to boost production of biofuels. In Canada, that includes the Canadian Clean Fuels Regulation, which lays out rules for fuel production and aims to encourage development of cleaner fuels and[...]


Doors open for Canadian soybeans in Indo-Pacific

A Manitoba soybean grower sees huge opportunity for Canadian food-grade soybeans after taking part in a trade mission to the Indo-Pacific. “We’re the ones that can have the quality they’re looking for,” said Melvin Rattai. He is chair of the Manitoba Pulse and Soybean Growers and a farmer near Beausejour, and took part in a[...]

Soybean seeding on early side

With adequate rainfall and warmer soil temperatures, soybean seeding across Manitoba is well underway.
 Manitoba Agriculture’s May 21 crop report placed soybean planting at 34 per cent complete.
 If nighttime temperatures don’t warm up more than they have recently, soybean plants will likely emerge around 15 to 17 days after planting, said Dennis Lange, a[...]


Australian canola a ‘thorn in our side’

Glacier FarmMedia – Canada is facing stiff competition from Australia in many canola export markets. “They’re here to stay,” said Jarrett Beatty, an exporter with Parrish & Heimbecker, during the Canola Council of Canada’s Canola Utilization Forum earlier this year. “Unless they have an environmental issue, they’re going to continue to be a bit of[...]

They’re baack: Canola council urges vigilance with flea beetles 

Flea beetle damage was relatively low last year compared to the crushing pressure of previous seasons, but producers can’t afford complacency. “There was less foliar insecticide used for flea beetles than the previous years, and maybe less flea beetles to some degree, but there were still a lot of flea beetles out there,” said Manitoba[...]


Canola sector predicts biofuel boom 

The biofuels industry could drive canola demand into uncharted territory in the coming decade, says one industry expert.  “The capacity of crush could grow from 11.3 million metric tonnes today to 18 million metric tonnes in three or four years,” said Chris Vervaet, executive director of the Canadian Oilseed Processors Association.  Why it matters: The[...]

Soybean acres in Manitoba expected to stabilize

Glacier FarmMedia – There’s an emerging consensus in Manitoba that soybean acres could soon stabilize at around 1.5 to 1.9 million. Much of that projection depends on weather and markets, but pulse industry representatives believe that nitrogen-fixing crops could become 25 per cent of total acres in Manitoba. “We think there should be a legume once every[...]


The future of Western Canadian soybeans

There are challenges to expanding soybean production to Western Canada, but many, including Manitoba Pulse and Soybean Growers executive director Daryl Domitruk, see the potential for growth. Domitruk was among the speakers at the second Northern Soybean Summit, hosted virtually by Soy Canada in December. Contributors from throughout the value chain discussed the future of[...]

Prepping for the 2024 canola crop

Winter isn’t exactly prime time to scout for insects, diseases and weeds, but last year’s pests may provide a baseline to help prepare for the next canola crop, agronomists say. “Review the challenges you had last year and have a plan in place as to how you’re going to handle them this year,” said Warren[...]