Farmer and Grainews columnist Toban Dyck inspects wheat on July 6, 2021 near Winkler, Man., where hot and dry weather has led to thin, uneven stands. (Photo: Reuters/Rod Nickel)

StatsCan confirms Canada’s crop production down in 2021

Corn expected to be lone exception

MarketsFarm — Production of most of Canada’s major grain, oilseed and pulse crops was down substantially in 2021-22, as drought conditions across the Prairies cut into yields, according to preliminary estimates released Monday by Statistics Canada. Of the major crops, only corn was expected to see a slight increase in production on the year as

Waterhemp emerges through the canopy of a soybean field.

Waterhemp found in Stuartburn, La Broquerie

The invasive species can cause tremendous yield losses, particularly among row crops

Infestations of waterhemp have been found in the RMs of Stuartburn and La Broquerie in southeastern Manitoba, bringing the known infestations to 10. MARD reported the new infestations earlier this month and urged farmers to keep an eye out for the noxious plant. “If it’s not under control, this could be our No. 1 weed in a


(Dave Bedard photo)

Smaller crops anticipated in looming StatsCan report

Survey-based data due out Monday

MarketsFarm — Heat and drought across Western Canada during the summer of 2021 seriously cut into the country’s crop production, raising traders’ expectations for reduced yields across the board when Statistics Canada on Monday releases its first production estimates of the year. Canola production is estimated at 11.5 million to 16 million tonnes, which would

(Dave Bedard photo)

Ag department lowers crop production, export estimates

Expectations knocked down for most major Prairie crops

MarketsFarm — Canadian crop production will be down significantly in the 2021-22 marketing year, cutting into exports for all of the country’s major grains, oilseeds and pulse crops. That’s the estimation from the latest supply/demand estimates from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC), released Thursday. Total field crop production for all crops is forecast to decrease


(ThamKC/iStock/Getty Images)

U.S. EPA recommends lowering 2020 biofuel mandates retroactively

Agency not confirming or denying sources' statements

Reuters — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has recommended retroactively lowering biofuel blending mandates for 2020, two sources familiar with the matter said, after the agency on Thursday sent a proposal on the mandates to the White House for review. The move could provide immediate relief to oil refiners that have to comply with the

A recent crop report indicates harvest yields so far this year vary from less than half of normal to normal.

Crop insurance prepared for hefty drought payouts this year

The program, founded in 1960, is designed to be actuarially sound

There’s enough money to cover Manitoba crop insurance payouts in the wake of this year’s drought, the worst in years, says David Van Deynze. Despite an early harvest due to dry and hot growing conditions, Van Deynze, chief product officer with the Manitoba Agricultural Services Corporation (MASC), which administers the federal-provincial program, says it’s too


Oilseed traders and analysts have heard anecdotal reports of single-digit yields from canola growers.

Canola remains the follower

Prices still must reflect that there won’t be enough canola to go around

Canola futures took a tumble at the end of this week as prices on the Chicago soy complex pulled back, with declines in European rapeseed and Malaysian palm oil adding to the mix. The Canadian oilseed demonstrated some independent strength as price rationing propelled values higher earlier in the week, but weakness in the other



CBOT December 2021 oats (candlesticks) with 20-, 50- and 100-day moving averages (yellow, brown and black lines). (Barchart)

CBOT weekly outlook: Factors worth watching

Oats showing recent strength

MarketsFarm — Choppiness in Chicago Board of Trade (CBOT) soyoil, a potential increase in corn prices and an upcoming production report from Statistics Canada are factors on which grains analyst Terry Reilly suggests keeping an eye. Soyoil has been hit by early reports that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency was going to recommend to the

“We see crop disappearing every day because of the dry condition in the Prairies, and we see record prices at the same time.” – Ward Toma.

Drought-battered farmers facing another crisis — contract penalties

Deadly combo of crop failures and sky-high prices leave some facing huge penalties on unfulfilled contracts

Glacier FarmMedia – The drought is squeezing producers from all sides, with many facing another calamity — not having enough crop to fulfil their grain contracts. “There are issues because the drought is so widespread,” said Jason Saunders, vice-chair of Alberta Wheat who farms near Taber, Alta. “There was aggressive forward contracting on canola and