Rising demand and good returns will see more acres devoted to industrial hemp production in Western Canada this spring, according to industry participants. Canadian hemp plantings have risen steadily over the past few years, with about 55,000 acres licensed in 2012, according to government data. Due to industrial hemp’s association with its cousin marijuana, farmers
Hemp acres on rise in Canada
Soybeans expanding into Saskatchewan
Soybeans are making further inroads into Saskatchewan, as promises of good returns have more producers looking into a crop that has traditionally not been grown in the province. Actual acreage data is scarce, given the relative newness of planting soybeans in Saskatchewan, but Dale Risula, a special crops specialist with Saskatchewan’s agriculture ministry in Regina,
CWRS wheat bids mixed, but improving overall
Cash wheat bids across Western Canada saw some choppiness during the week ended Feb. 19, with spot bids for Canada Western Red Spring wheat steady to a couple of dollars per tonne lower in some areas, but up by over $10 per tonne at other locations. Basis levels did improve across the board, helping counter
Grasshoppers not expected to be a major concern in 2013
CNSC / There’s a relatively low risk of grasshoppers across most of the Prairies this year, according to provincial forecasts. The forecasts are based on counts of adult grasshoppers in the summer of 2012, weather data, and recent population trends. For now, those trends aren’t favourable for the voracious pests. Most of Manitoba had very
Canola exports, domestic crush must slow down
Old-crop canola futures climbed higher at ICE Futures Canada during the week ended Feb. 8, hitting levels not seen since mid-September before running into profit-taking resistance to the upside. Dwindling stocks in Western Canada are the primary driver in the market, but canola is still only one oilseed among many in the broader market and
Domestic demand supports feeder cattle prices
The large volume of cattle moving through Manitoba’s auction yards during the week ended Feb. 1 were met with fairly good demand, as prices were generally steady to firmer compared to the previous week when numbers were much smaller. “The market was showing a little bit of strength,” said Buddy Bergner of Ashern Auction Mart.
Adequate snow cover fuels optimism for winter wheat crop
CNSC / Adequate snow cover across much of Western Canada should bode well for the winter wheat crop. However, there are concerns in some areas that the crop wasn’t far enough along before entering dormancy, Jake Davidson, executive director of Winter Cereals Canada, said at a recent growers’ meeting in Saskatoon. “I don’t think we’re
CWRS wheat bids still trending down in West
Cash wheat bids across Western Canada declined in sympathy with U.S. futures over the week ended Feb. 11, with average spot bids for Canada Western Red Spring (CWRS) wheat down by about $3-$7 per tonne (eight to 19 cents per bushel) over the reporting period. However, basis levels did narrow in slightly, limiting the declines.
New-crop mustard holding steady with spot market
Mustard is one of the few crops in Western Canada where old- and new-crop bids are currently on par with each other and even stronger in some cases, as prices stay firm in an effort to make sure enough acres are planted this spring. While new-crop canola is currently trading at a considerable discount to
Veggie producers see margins shrink while grain and oilseed prices soar
Manitoba vegetable growers are hoping it will soon be their turn to enjoy the high prices that have pumped up profits for their grain- and oilseed-growing neighbours. And, if not, they may eventually turn to other crops. South of the border, corn and soybeans have been stealing acres away from every crop that’s not as
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