Latest USDA supply-demand report delivers few surprises in key commodities

The U.S. Agriculture Department delivered few surprises in its monthly crop and world agricultural supply-demand reports, keeping U.S. corn and soybean supplies tight but raising global soybean and wheat stockpiles from a month ago. The Argentine soybean and corn crops were both lowered by drought, USDA said. Projected soybean output was trimmed by three per

Boom times for farmers a century ago were good for equipment makers, too

It’s one thing about farming that hasn’t changed 
with time. It’s one thing about farming that hasn’t changed with time

Last year was a pretty good one for most Prairie grain farmers — but things were hopping a century ago, too. This 1912 photo of the American Able Company storage yard in Winnipeg is proof not only of good times, but that farmers of that age — like their modern counterparts — were quick to


Producer touts benefits of grass-fed beef

Bragi Simundsson says raising beef on grass is just common sense; it’s the marketing that gets complicated. “Ruminant animals like cattle and sheep were built to eat grass,” reads the Arborg farmer’s web page at www.manitoba grassfedbeef.ca. “We think that animals should do the job they were built for. We believe that the protein portion

Researchers praise the many benefits of cover crops

University of Manitoba plant science researcher says farmers need to think more about what happens below a field’s surface and how they can improve soil health

It’s time for farmers to stop treating soil like dirt. “The role of a farmer is to manage a complex ecosystem to produce food, feed, fibre and fuel,” University of Manitoba plant science researcher Yvonne Lawley said at the recent Ecological and Organic Farming conference. “Millions of ‘moving parts’ need to work together, both above


Cows and crops: A perfect combination, experts say

Fifteen years ago, Marc Boulanger and his family took a closer look at what was happening on their operation near Grande Clairière, Man. — and didn’t like what they saw. “In the late 1980s, when grasshoppers were a major problem, we’d spray — then we were watching how the grasshoppers died, then the birds were

BIXS carcass data available

Some ranchers are getting a taste of what national traceability 
system has to offer in terms of finished beef

If you shipped age-verified calves that were slaughtered at one of the major plants in Canada after May 2010, there may be some interesting information waiting for you online. “There’s two million records in the system, so there’s a good chance you’ll have some in there,” said Marlin Beever, a rancher from Rivers who has


CWB lowers old-crop PRO in cereals

CWB has lowered Pool Return Outlooks (PROs) for wheat in its Harvest and Winter pools, according to an updated report released on March 15. Durum and barley PROs in the Harvest and Winter pools were also lowered, while canola values in both pools were unchanged to higher. Wheat PROs in the Harvest and Winter pools

Like most American belts, the Corn Belt has expanded too

North Dakota corn acreage has doubled since 2006 and quadrupled since 2001 Reuters / A combination of a long-term warming trend, improved varieties and soaring profits has sparked a “corn boom” in the Northern Plains that might one day turn North and South Dakota into the new Iowa, analysts say. “All you need to do


Export opportunities for forage producers are growing but every market is different

China’s bid to double milk production will mean a huge increase in 
forage imports, and opportunities abound in the Middle East

It’s a good time for forage producers to get into exporting — but there are pitfalls, too, says the chair of the Canadian Forage and Grassland Association’s forage export committee. “One of the things we’re realizing is that good data is hard to find, especially when you are talking about exports to the U.S.,” said

Aerial registrations for broadleaf weed control approved

Dow AgroSciences has received aerial use registrations for Prestige XC, Attain XC and OcTTain XL a move the company says will offer more options to customers needing broadleaf weed control in regions with spring conditions that are too wet as well as those needing to cover a large number of cereal acres quickly. “We have