Marta Izydorczyk, research scientist and program manager with the Canadian Grain Commission, explains the function of a germination drum during the laboratory tour.

Farmers attend malting academy

The malting sector is complex and the CMBTC aims to offer growers better insights

Farmers are gaining new insights in the malt industry through a course offered by the Canadian Malt Barley Technical Centre (CMBTC). The Malt Academy for Producers explores a complicated industry. “I thought it was a very educational course,” said Leigh Smith, who runs a 5,000-acre mixed operation north of Oak Lake. “There was a lot



(Dave Bedard photo)

Higher canola, wheat production expected in StatCan report

Traders raise concerns about report accuracy

MarketsFarm — There was a consensus among several traders and analysts that Statistics Canada will very likely raise its estimates on canola and wheat production for 2023-24. Yields on the Prairies were better than expected following a difficult first half of the growing period, as the weather improved during the second half. StatCan is set

(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)

Feed weekly outlook: Corn imports, larger crop prospects pressure barley

StatCan expected to raise barley crop estimate

MarketsFarm — The feed barley market in Western Canada remains relatively flat as steady corn imports from the U.S. keep domestic feeders well supplied. Ideas that Canadian production ended up above earlier expectations were also keeping a lid on the domestic market. Delivered barley into the Lethbridge, Alta. area is currently priced in the $300-$320


Heavy rain hits French winter seeding

Heavy rain hits French winter seeding

French grain sowings slow and crop ratings fall after heavy rain

Reuters – Winter grain sowings made little progress and crop ratings fell in France during the second week of November, farm office FranceAgriMer data showed Nov. 17. It is a sign that heavy rainfall took a toll on crops in the European Union’s biggest grain grower. French farmers had sown 71 per cent of the expected soft wheat



AAFC tweaks crop supply/demand estimates in November report

Estimates hold for most exports

MarketsFarm — Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada has slightly adjusted its supply/demand estimates for November. AAFC published its latest Outlook for Principal Field Crops on Tuesday. Of Canada’s major crops, the department left the 2023-24 ending stocks for canola at one million tonnes and all wheat at 3.6 million, while all other reported crops were left

Malting barley farm trials at Holland, Man.

This isn’t your parent’s malt barley variety

New variety trials aim to move the needle on barley acres in Manitoba

Field trial results for new malting barley varieties could encourage Manitoba farmers to give the crop a second look. That’s the hope of Peter Watts, managing director of the Canadian Malting Barley Technical Centre. “The basic message is that new malting barley varieties can be grown successfully in Manitoba, meet the quality criteria of end