Hog producers in Canada are still losing money because of high feed prices, according to industry officials. Current hog prices are actually above the long-term average, but because feed costs are so high, producers are still unable to turn a profit, said Brad Marceniuk, livestock economist with Saskatchewan’s ministry of agriculture in Saskatoon. According to
Hog producers still losing money
Late spring could mean more Prairie canaryseed acres
Expectations that persistent winter-like weather will delay seeding in Western Canada this spring could result in more canaryseed acreage. “Canaryseed is often the last thing people seed, and I think the delayed planting season might be a factor,” said Kevin Hursh of the Canaryseed Development Commission of Saskatchewan. Acres could increase, he said, because some
Winter weather continues to draw out spring run
The spring cattle run is lasting longer than some people originally anticipated, and auction yards across Manitoba continued to see strong volumes of cattle during the week ended April 12. Auction yards at Grunthal, Virden and Gladstone all reported having more cattle at their sale than the previous week, while markets at Ashern, Brandon and
Feeder cattle head south as feed grain supplies tighten in Western Canada
More feeder cattle in Western Canada are heading to the U.S. for finishing because of tight feed supplies, according to industry officials. And springtime road restrictions are further reducing supplies of feed wheat and barley. “Seasonally, we’re going into a time of year where moving grain is difficult from the farm gate to the end-user,”
Tight feed supplies send some of West’s feeder cattle south
Feeder cattle in Western Canada are starting to move south to the U.S. to be finished because of tight Canadian feed supplies, according to industry officials. Both feed barley and feed wheat supplies are on the tight side, but logistical problems are only making the situation worse. “Seasonally, we’re going into a time of year
Wet Prairies could help some insects thrive
Western Canadian farmers should be on the lookout for a number of insect species this growing season, as the wet spring conditions may cause some populations to thrive, specialists in the three Prairie provinces said. One insect that thrives in wetter weather, and thus could impact growers this season, is the wheat midge. Insect specialists
Wave from grains’ dive lifts feeder cattle market
Feeder cattle prices at auction yards across Manitoba were steady to slightly stronger during the week ended April 5, underpinned by a crash in U.S. grain futures. Robin Hill, manager of Heartland Livestock Services at Virden, said prices for feeder cattle that weighed 800 pounds or less were about one to two cents per pound
Strong flax prices may not encourage acres this spring
Values for new-crop flax across Western Canada are strong, but that may not result in more acres this spring. According to Prairie Ag Hotwire, new-crop values ranged from $13.75 to $14.50 per bushel as of April 4, 2013. Old-crop prices across Western Canada were reported as being around $14 to $16.50 per bushel. “A lot
Lack of feed has local buyers cautious at markets
Auction yards across Manitoba continued to see strong volumes of cattle come up for sale during the week ended March 28. Some of the auction yards in the province’s southwest saw more cattle than anticipated, because their sales the week prior were very small due to weather problems. Rick Wright, a buyer with Heartland Buying
Prospect of a wet spring has some reconsidering their seeding plans
Farmers are starting to think about Plan Bs, but there is no sign yet of a major shift in seeding intentions
Wet conditions across the Prairies and the increasingly likelihood that planting will be delayed this spring have some farmers starting to think about “Plan Bs.” “I think what a lot of farmers are probably doing is looking at the Plan Bs because they’re thinking they might have to use them later on,” said Bruce Burnett,Cyber-Savvy Farmer
