Seed potatoes loaded for planting. (File photo by Ralph Pearce)

Prairie potato planting slightly behind schedule

CNS Canada — After a delayed start due to the long winter and spring flooding, western Canadian potato growers are out in the fields. “We’re probably only a couple of days behind… we had farmers out on the fields last week and I think quite a few more will be moving along this week,” said […] Read more


Farmer Brian Derksen seeds wheat on May 2, 2017 near Miami, Man., about 80 km south of Portage la Prairie. (Screengrab from Allan Dawson video)

Grain trade skeptical of StatsCan’s acreage outlook

CNS Canada — After predictions of record canola area and a drop in pulse acres, traders and analysts are doubtful of Statistics Canada’s predictions for smaller canola acres, much larger wheat acres and only minor reductions in pulse acres. “It’s unusual for everybody to just be this out of whack on this report,” said Ken […] Read more




(Shotbydave/iStock/Getty Images)

Farmland values rise, but interest rates curb market

CNS Canada — Prices of Canadian farmland were seen rising in 2017, with most sales happening in the first half of 2017 before interest rate increases and the drought in Western Canada hit. That’s according to the annual Farmland Values Report released Monday by Farm Credit Canada (FCC), based on 90 per cent of farmland […] Read more


(Cia.gov)

Pulse weekly outlook: Monsoon outlook bearish for Canadian crop

CNS Canada — India is forecasting an average monsoon rainfall this year, making the chance of India importing Canadian pulse crops slim. “Given the tariff scheme and the protectionist attitudes India has displayed this year, I think it will take a major weather influence to hurry up the correction to (imports),” said Marlene Boersch, managing […] Read more


Extended winter could lead to more Prairie oat acres

Extended winter could lead to more Prairie oat acres

CNS Canada — With winter still hanging on across Western Canada, one buyer thinks it could lead to an uptick in oat acres. “Later seeding generally increases oat acres. We’d rather see them seeded earlier but farmers have had a tendency when things get late (to) throw some more acres into oats,” said Scott Shiels […] Read more

Canadian drought conditions at March 31, 2018. (Drought Monitor map, Agr.gc.ca)

Prairie drought conditions improve

CNS Canada — While drought conditions in Western Canada have improved following late-season snowfall, it isn’t a completely rosy picture just yet. “We have seen significant departures from normal in terms of precipitation (on the Prairies over) a long period. The winter hasn’t been above average (for precipitation) so there hasn’t been a whole lot […] Read more