CNS Canada — Cash barley prices near the key cattle feeding area of Lethbridge, Alta. remain firm, supported in large part by lingering winter weather and sluggish movement of grain across Western Canada, say brokers in the region. According to Shane Roberts of Cactus Commodity at Raymond, Alta., prices for March/April deliveries are anywhere from
Alta. feed barley prices remain firm
Prairie forage supplies seen tightening
CNS Canada –– Forage supplies are tightening as the winter drags on across Western Canada, according to provincial forage specialists, though the strong cattle market is allowing some producers to sell their animals at a fair price. The situation appears to be the most critical in Alberta, where a rising number of producers are telling
El Nino seen bringing mixed weather to Prairies
CNS Canada — Warmer-than-normal water in the Pacific Ocean this year could have a mixed influence on the Canadian Prairies, according to a weather specialist. Forecasters warn the phenomenon, better known as El Nino, could disrupt weather patterns in many parts of the world. El Nino’s effects are largely determined by the predominating weather pattern
Prairie grain growers look to lock in prices
CNS Canada — Western Canadian Farmers are starting to show more interest in locking in new-crop contracts, as pricing opportunities finally show some improvement across the Prairies, said industry participants. “I think if there’s some decent prices out there people will be locking them in,” said Lynn Jacobson, president of the Alberta Federation of Agriculture,
Phosphate tough to find on Prairies
CNS Canada — The railway slowdown restricting the flow of grain out of the Prairies is also reported to be hampering imports of phosphate fertilizer from the U.S., leaving farmers who haven’t already ordered supplies out in the cold. Norm Hall, president of Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan (APAS), said railroads have been concentrating on
Millers hurt by slow grain movement
CNS Canada — The ongoing logistics problems moving grain out of the Prairies have prompted some North American cereal milling companies to temporarily halt production, according to the head of a prominent industry group. Gordon Harrison, president of the Canadian National Millers Association, says the transportation situation facing the Canadian grain industry has adversely affected
Grain backlog results in record cash advances for farmers
CNS Canada — The lack of grain movement in Canada has prompted a record number of farmers to request advance payments so they can get bills paid and start planning for inputs on next year’s crop. Rick White is the executive director of the Canadian Canola Growers Association, one of the groups the federal government
Snowfall aids spring seeding outlook across West
CNS Canada — Above-normal snowfall in central and northern growing areas of Western Canada should help improve moisture levels ahead of spring seeding, according to CWB’s crop and weather specialist. Snowcover was sorely needed because a lack of rain last fall, especially in the north, helped create dry areas that drew moisture from the soil
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