Dryness being watched in parts of Western Canada

CNS Canada — The snowpack is gone and moisture levels are low across many agricultural areas of Western Canada, which should allow for an early start to spring seeding. However, the lack of moisture could lead to problems down the road if there is no timely precipitation later in the season. While there are no […] Read more

(Scott Bauer photo courtesy ARS/USDA)

Soybeans cut swath through Prairie wheat belt

Winnipeg | Reuters –– Soybeans, once a novelty in western Canadian fields, are poised to reach record-large acreage again this year, and some of the world’s biggest seed companies are betting they have further room to grow in a region known for wheat and canola. Farmers on the eastern side of the Prairies are turning […] Read more

(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)

Klassen: Uncertainty looms for feeder cattle market

Western Canadian feeder cattle prices were steady to as much as $5 higher over the past week. Lighter-weight calves under 600 pounds experienced notable gains, while stronger buying interest was also noted on medium- to lower-flesh backgrounded cattle in the 800-pound-plus category. Major feeding operations were quick to discount cattle that appeared to have too […] Read more

(Bruce Fritz photo courtesy ARS/USDA)

Optimism for Canada to plant 100K acres to sunflowers

CNS Canada — Wet weather may have cost western Canadian producers 20,000 acres of sunflowers last year, according to one industry watcher who’s hopeful 2015 will be a little kinder. “We were anticipating over 100,000 acres last year and as it turned out we came into that 80,000 range,” said Ben Friesen, purchasing manager for […] Read more

(Doug Wilson photo courtesy ARS/USDA)

Oats prices drop to two-and-a-half-year lows

CNS Canada –– Oats prices at the Chicago Board of Trade dropped to their weakest levels in two-and-a-half years over the past week, and cash bids in Western Canada have followed suit. While the largely speculative price drop could bring in more bargain-hunting demand, both end-users and farmers have moved to the sidelines for the […] Read more


(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)

Klassen: Strong demand at feature calf sales

Last week saw many auction barns holding their largest volumes of the year and there was no shortage of buying interest at these feature sales. Major feedlot operators were aggressively shopping because quality and risk sentiment appear to be more favourable this time of year. Calves have withstood adverse winter conditions for a couple of […] Read more

(Country Guide file photo)

CWRS wheat bids edge down in Western Canada

CNS Canada — Average cash bids for Canada Western Red Spring (CWRS) wheat moved lower during the week ended Friday, with adjustments to basis levels behind much of the declines. In Manitoba, the average CWRS price declined to $232 per tonne, from $234 the previous week. Similar losses were noted across the rest of the […] Read more

(Country Guide file photo)

Prairie spring wheat bids rise with U.S. futures

CNS Canada –– Average cash bids for Canada Western Red Spring (CWRS) wheat moved higher during the week ended Friday, as strengthening U.S. futures provided support. In Manitoba, the average CWRS price rose to $234 per tonne, from $223 the previous week. Similar gains were noted across the rest of the Prairies, with average prices […] Read more