CNS Canada — Canaryseed’s reduced dependence on pricey fertilizer — and reduced exposure to the transportation issues facing other crops — could lead to increased acres this spring on the Prairies. Farmers may be more enticed to plant canaryseed this year when they look at the transportation problems affecting durum and wheat, said Kevin Hursh, […] Read more
Lower input costs seen encouraging more canaryseed acres
CBOT review: Corn underwhelms investors despite lower USDA projections
CNS Canada –– Chicago Board of Trade corn contracts saw some choppy activity during the week ended Wednesday, but finished with only small advances as the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s prediction, that corn stockpiles would be lower than expected, failed to impress traders. “I think we saw a lot of positioning in this market,” said […] Read more
Spring insect threat across Prairies seen as normal
CNS Canada — Cool temperatures and overall wet conditions should make it tough for most insects and other pests to get an early toehold on Prairie crops, according to three insect specialists across Western Canada. Wheat midge, cabbage seedpod weevils, flea beetles and grasshoppers are some of the early exceptions, however, as they have been […] Read more
Prairie spring flooding concerns muted, for now
CNS Canada — Spring flooding doesn’t appear to be a major concern for any of the three Prairie provinces at this point, with a few exceptions, said provincial officials. Manitoba dodged a bullet March 31 when a major storm dumped heavy precipitation on parts of North Dakota and Minnesota. If the system had travelled a […] Read more
Man., Sask. soybean acreage on the rise
CNS Canada — Record-breaking soybean yields are prompting another year of expansion of the oilseed in Manitoba fields, according to an industry-official. A year ago, producers in Manitoba planted more than one million acres of soybeans in the province, the most ever. The average yield in Manitoba was 39 bushels an acre — another all-time […] Read more
Mustard acreage set to rise, but prices under pressure
CNS Canada — Last year’s good yields and an expected rise in the number of seeded acres have moved the spot price lower for mustard, but only slightly, according to an industry official in Lethbridge. Walter Dyck of Olds Products says 36 cents a pound is the number he’s hearing in the market right now […] Read more
Prairie flax acres seen rising this spring
CNS Canada –– Flax acreage across the Prairies will likely increase this spring, as long as the price relationship holds up, industry officials said. Last year, about a million acres of flax were planted in Canada, according to Will Hill, president of the Flax Council of Canada. This year, he expects that number to rise […] Read more
Alta. feed barley prices remain firm
CNS Canada — Cash barley prices near the key cattle feeding area of Lethbridge, Alta. remain firm, supported in large part by lingering winter weather and sluggish movement of grain across Western Canada, say brokers in the region. According to Shane Roberts of Cactus Commodity at Raymond, Alta., prices for March/April deliveries are anywhere from […] Read more
Prairie forage supplies seen tightening
CNS Canada –– Forage supplies are tightening as the winter drags on across Western Canada, according to provincial forage specialists, though the strong cattle market is allowing some producers to sell their animals at a fair price. The situation appears to be the most critical in Alberta, where a rising number of producers are telling […] Read more
El Nino seen bringing mixed weather to Prairies
CNS Canada — Warmer-than-normal water in the Pacific Ocean this year could have a mixed influence on the Canadian Prairies, according to a weather specialist. Forecasters warn the phenomenon, better known as El Nino, could disrupt weather patterns in many parts of the world. El Nino’s effects are largely determined by the predominating weather pattern […] Read more
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