Provincial Minister of Agriculture Ralph Eichler plans to improve the efficiency of the checkoff system that currently funds Keystone Agriculture Producers, reducing red tape. Agriculture is a complex industry with many issues and different viewpoints to consider. A system like we have now supports just one organization’s perspectives, limits the public debate and reduces the
Barley
Opinion: Choice of voice needed for Manitoba
Four food firms said preparing bids for Weetabix
London | Reuters — The third-biggest U.S. cereal company, Post Holdings, and the U.K.’s Associated British Foods are among a group of four bidders vying for British cereal brand Weetabix, sources familiar with the matter said Friday. The 84-year-old business could fetch at least 1.5 billion pounds (C$2.48 billion), based on a valuation of more
Feed wheat, barley surplus could last until summer
CNS Canada — Supplies of feed wheat and barley in Western Canada continue to compete for a home in Lethbridge’s feedlot alley. For the past few months markets have been grinding lower due to the large volumes of low-quality feed and other grains that are being unloaded by farmers. At least one industry expert believes
Seed quality highly variable
A tough growing year has translated into seed that can have lower germ levels
Seed quality in Manitoba for the upcoming growing season is a mixed bag depending on the crop, according to Holly Gelech, manager of business development for BioVision Seed Labs in Winnipeg. The average germination of wheat seed tested from the 2016 crop is 86.3 per cent, down six per cent from the five-year high of
WCWGA wants reduced Canadian Grain Commission fees, refund
Agriculture Minister Lawrence MacAulay will discuss CGC fees with the new commissioners and the commission will consult the grain sector on the issue this winter
The Western Canadian Wheat Growers wants to see a cut to Canadian Grain Commission (CGC) fees and the full and immediate refund to farmers of millions of dollars in surplus CGC earnings. That call, contained in a press release issued by the group Jan. 3, seemed unlikely as of press time. “With approximately $100 million
Klassen: Demand for shortkeep feeders drives complex higher
Most auction barns were in holiday mode last week, which made the market hard to define. However, comments from local buyers suggest demand is building for shorter-term replacements due to healthy feedlot margins. Small groups were on offer with limited numbers available, and there was a wide range on similar weight classes across the Prairies.
Low-quality feed being dumped on market
CNS Canada — Prices for feed barley and wheat don’t appear ready to spike anytime soon, as farmers across Western Canada continue to dump supplies containing high concentrations of vomitoxin and fusarium into feedlots. “Steady as it goes here is the tone,” said Allan Pirness of Market Place Commodities in Lethbridge. “We’re looking to clean
Happy 2017 from Farm Business Communications
On behalf of all of us at Farm Business Communications, here in Winnipeg and across Canada, we’d like to wish you the happiest of new years and, once again, our thanks for your readership in 2016. Our office in Winnipeg closes today at noon and will reopen for regular business on Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2017.
Hog sector optimistic heading into New Year
CNS Canada –– A rally in U.S. hog futures over the past few weeks is also being felt in the Canadian industry, which has brought some optimism to the sector heading into the New Year. “The isoweans are stronger, which tells us that there is greater demand in the U.S. going into the spring and
Managing the risks of mouldy feed
According to Manitoba Agriculture, determining if mouldy feed is still acceptable is a complex situation that requires a case-by-case analysis and usually feed tests
After a wet summer Manitoba cattle producers are faced with the reality of keeping animals healthy on less-than-ideal feed sources. It’s possible, but Juanita Kopp, a provincial livestock specialist, says producers do need to be aware of the risks and take steps to manage them. “This is one of the topics I get a lot
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
