Some Predictions More Useful Than Others

Recently, I was treated to a presentation by yet another expert who believes the world’s climate is going to hell in a hand basket. The message for agriculture is adapt, adapt, adapt. The long-term trend, say most of the experts, is undeniably warming temperatures. While the science isn’t as sure, many experts are betting the

Deadline Extended For Harvest Samples

Due to this year’s delayed harvest, the Canadian Grain Commission is extending its deadline for the Harvest Sample Program to Dec. 1, from Nov. 1. “This year, the weather was a challenge for producers across Canada. An extra four weeks gives producers time to send their samples and get a free grade despite a late


Dow AgroSciences Touts Profit Potential Of Nexera Hybrids

Nexera canola varieties are a good deal for farmers and will only get better, according to Dow AgroSciences. Nexera canola is known for its highly stable oil, which has a long shelf life and therefore doesn’t have to be hydrogenated, a process which creates trans fats. But the knock has always been that Nexera varieties

Soybeans Fighting Canola To Get Markets Back

Soybeans are fighting back. Soybean oil is still the most consumed vegetable oil in North America, but it’s been losing ground to canola, which is regarded as the healthiest vegetable oil because it contains just seven per cent saturated fat. Part of canola’s gains have resulted from the development of high-stability, omega-9 oil. It has


Crop Report – for Oct. 14, 2010

SOUTHWEST REGION Cereal crops are 80 to 85 per cent complete; yields are average and quality is average to below average due to several rain showers. Canola harvest is 80 per cent complete with yields average to below average with reports that later-seeded canola has been impacted by frost. Flax harvest is 70 per cent

Producers Urged To Test Nutritional Quality Of Forage

Feed testing will be especially important this year as the quality of weather-damaged or mature forage may not be adequate to meet the nutritional requirements of livestock. “With the amount of hay that has been cut late and is over-mature, or has been cut at the right time, turned twice, sat in the swath or


Crop Report – for Oct. 7, 2010

SOUTHWEST REGION Little to no precipitation over the past week allowed good harvest progress. Cereal harvest ranges from 65 per cent to 80 per cent complete and canola harvest from 55 per cent to 60 per cent complete. Most crops are dry and yields are reported to be average with below-average quality. Very little flax

Late Harvest Delays Cattle Aid

Urgently awaited aid for Manitoba’s flood-ravaged cattle producers could still be weeks away because of a holdup in calculating feed losses. A cool, wet fall has delayed the harvest and federal officials don’t know yet what hay and forage yields in flooded areas will be. As a result, they can’t say what kind of financial


China Turns Into A Regular Corn Importer

China’s major foray into the global corn market this year could become routine as it strives to fend off the threat of animal feed price inflation, which Beijing worries could send household food bills soaring. With feed demand in the world’s second-biggest corn consumer rising by nearly eight per cent a year over the past