Domestic pulse processing touted

More processing is key to the long-term success of the pulse sector in Western Canada, the head of the country’s largest pulse trading company told attendees at Crop Week in Saskatoon. The pulse sector should be focused on producing food rather than a commodity, said Murad Al-Katib, president and CEO of of Alliance Grain Traders

Ranchers not fooled by rainy cycle

One Interlake farm family is developing a rubber management strategy — one that bounces back in wet times or dry — for dealing with weather extremes. Don Green even joked about the new “Interlake cowboy boot,” made of rubber of course, as he shared his approach to dealing with the wet cycle of the past


Pulse Industry Innovator Honoured

Geoff Heal of Best Cooking Pulses, Inc. (BCP) was posthumously presented with the CSCA Industry Appreciation Award at the Canadian Special Crops Association Silver Jubilee Convention Gala Dinner held in Vancouver July 13. The CSCA’s Industry Appreciation Award is presented annually to an individual who has shown a significant commitment to promoting and expanding Canada’s

In Brief… – for Jul. 21, 2011

Construction underway: Legumex Walker Inc. is starting construction of its 10th production facility, a canola oilseed-processing plant in Warden, Washington. The new facility, the company’s first in the United States, will produce expeller-pressed canola oil and high-quality canola meal. The plant will be the first commercial-scale canola-crushing operation west of the Rockies and is well


Special Crops Get Marketing Boost

The Canadian Special Crops Association has received $196,000 from the federal government to help promote Canadian pulses and special crops on trade missions and at international trade shows. Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz made the announcement while attending the CSCA’s annual meeting in Vancouver July 13. “The funding is instrumental in our efforts to expand and

Crop Report – for Jul. 21, 2011

SOUTHWEST REGION In the Southwest Region rainfall was spotty over the past week with reported amounts of five to 40 mm. Warm, dry conditions have helped to dry up fields and several producers were able to spray unseeded acres. Early-seeded cereal crops are in the flag-leaf to early-heading stage and several producers are applying fungicides


Crop Report – for Jul. 7, 2011

SOUTHWEST REGION Spotty thundershowers over the past week brought varied rainfall ranging from 10 to 60 mm, with reports of severe weather in Hamiota, Cardale, Newdale and Reston. In general, warm weather and humidity over the past week, let the crop advance and improve. Producers are working on weed control. Crop quality varies a great

Cool, Damp Weather Could Lower Alfalfa Quality

The cool, wet weather this spring may be having a negative effect on the quality of alfalfa as well as yield. Preliminary tests by the Manitoba Forage Council show the fibre content of first-cut alfalfa is higher than usual. If that continues, Manitoba cattle producers could have double trouble with alfalfa crops this year. Yields


Time For A Hay Day

Forage alfalfa across the province is ready to harvest, if farmers aren’t too busy fighting back the water. The Green Gold Reports dated June 6 from the eastern, central and western regions of the project show relative feed values have peaked and are on the decline. The Manitoba Forage Council’s Green Gold program (Alfalfa Scissor

KAP Opposes Roundup Ready Alfalfa’s Release In Canada

The Keystone Agricultural Producers (KAP) has added its voice to groups opposed to the release of Roundup Ready alfalfa. “It’s a superweed,” Paul Gregory, a Fisher Branch farmer and alfalfa seed exporter said during debate on his resolution for KAP to support the Manitoba Forage Seed Association’s efforts to block Roundup Ready alfalfa’s release. “Once