CNS Canada — They may look cute and harmless, but gophers have been wreaking havoc on crops across Alberta. Gophers have been reported causing problems in southern, central and northeastern Alberta for canola crops and pastures, according to the provincial Crop Report. “It’s been dry again this year and that triggered them; it’s been quite
Little critters causing big problems for Alberta crops
Diafiltered milk issue sours on slow federal response
CNS Canada — Two weeks after rallying on Parliament Hill to protest Trans-Pacific and European trade agreements, some dairy farmers say the government is still slacking when it comes to supporting their industry. The immediate crisis, according to Jan Slomp, a Vancouver Island dairy farmer and president of the National Farmers Union, is diafiltered milk.
Lower feed costs weigh on supply-managed goods
CNS Canada –– Relatively soft feed grain prices over the past year mean producers of supply-managed commodities, such as milk and eggs, have also received lower prices for their products. Such is the interpretation of industry participants accounting for declines in the latest Farm Price Index data released by Statistics Canada. The livestock and animal
Wheat crops excel in Ontario
CNS Canada — Ontario wheat producers are having a great start to the season, with healthy crops doubling in acreage from last year, according to a provincial cereals specialist. “Winter wheat crop this year is looking excellent,” said Joanna Follings, who works for the Ontario ministry of agriculture in Guelph. “We have some disease pressures
Cash hog market benefits from barbecue season
CNS Canada –– The Canadian hog market is gearing up to start bringing home the bacon. Weekly cash hog prices are higher on continued stronger seasonal pork cutout values, with lower supply creating better prices. “Prices generally do increase over the summer,” said Brad Marceniuk, a provincial livestock economist in Saskatoon. “I expect hog prices
Manitoba hog producers worry as PED continues spread
CNS Canada — Hog industry officials are increasingly concerned how Manitoba producers will be impacted after another hog farm in southeastern Manitoba confirmed a case of porcine epidemic diarrhea (PED) on Saturday. The province, which until last week hadn’t reported any new on-farm cases since January 2015, logged new cases in the southeast on May
Prairie forage crops perk up with precipitation
CNS Canada — It’s been a slow start for forage crops growing across the Prairies, but the much-needed precipitation is better late than never. “The rain has been a huge help,” said Karin Lindquist, forage specialist with Alberta’s Ag-Info Centre in Stettler. “There are still some areas that could use a bit more, but so
Alberta rain good news for farmers, bad news for grasshoppers
CNS Canada — After a dry spring, the rainfall across Alberta is a welcome change — unless you’re a grasshopper. “I’d hoped that over the weekend with the rain we had it would drown the little buggers out. When they’re small like that, they’re easily drowned if there’s water on the surface,” said crop specialist
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
