Tuesday’s edition of RealAg Radio, hosted by Shaun Haney — highlights: 38 years since the last total eclipse – listen to hear Shaun’s thoughts of yesterdays’ excitement; Interest rates, trade, infrastructure – what is happening in the Canadian economy? Shaun talks all things economy with Doug Porter, chief economist with the Bank of Montreal. Brian Perillat… Read More
Month: August 2017
In a year end grain report published today, CN reported that 21.8 million metric tonnes of grain was moved during the 2016-17 growing year, making it a record for the transportation company. “Through innovation, collaboration and improved communication with our supply chain partners, CN moved more grain in a single crop year than ever before,”… Read More
As Canadian ranchers and feeders head into the the thick of the fall run there are many variables that come into play. Fluctuations in export demand, the Canadian dollar, futures prices, weather, trade, and feed costs are all hanging over how great of a fall it will be for producers. At the Canadian Beef Industry… Read More
What’s the value of public opinion? That’s a question I find myself asking more often these days. In a democracy, public opinion should matter and politicians and policy makers should have a strong understanding of the people’s will when making public policy. But should they give the people what they want? Today we have no… Read More
Agronomy Monday edition of RealAg Radio, with Shaun Haney — highlights: RealAg Agronomist looks at wheat seeding dates for spring wheat and winter wheat, and looking at how that impacts yield; Dr. Dave Hooker with the University of Guelph talks about what is driving corn yields higher in Ontario over the past number of years?… Read More
The Canadian economy has been healthy as of late, which has many farmers with higher debt levels somewhat concerned about interest rate increases in the near future. Farmers have enjoyed a low interest rate environment for quite some time, but the reality is – the Bank of Canada has some some decisions to make. Additionally… Read More
The exodus of young people from the farm seems to have tapered off as, among other things, prices and trade conditions improved and farmers diversified. But today, what factors are primarily responsible for keeping young farmers on their land? To what extend do cultural, societal and emotional matters figure in? And if those matters have… Read More
What’s the best herbicide program for food-grade, non-GMO, identity preserved soybeans? It’s a common question OMAFRA weed specialist Mike Cowbrough gets from growers and we have the answer on this edition of RealAgriculture Soybean School. Cowbrough says there’s no magical herbicide that can handle all the challenges food-grade soybeans face during the growing season. But… Read More
Last week when Saskatchewan Premier Brad Wall announced he is retiring from public politics, ag twitter exploded with an outpouring of kind words and mentions of sorrow that the unofficial leader of conservatives across from Western Canada will no longer be there to represent them. So what is it? Why did Premier Brad Wall have… Read More
Grain prices all headed lower this week as beneficial rains and slower bullish headlines pushed more profit-taking action in the markets. Canola traded sideways for the week but did drop down to $492 CAD / MT before closing at nearly $507 on the November contract. Soybeans acted similarly, only losing 0.1% whereas its acreage competitor,… Read More
Friday’s RealAg Radio podcast, hosted by Shaun Haney and Kelvin Heppner — highlights: Colin Woodall of NCBA on why they’re optimistic beef trade will not be hurt in the NAFTA renegotiation; David Wiens, vice-president of Dairy Farmers of Canada, in Washington, noting allies in U.S. dairy; Don Close, senior animal protein analyst with Rabobank, on… Read More
People from all corners of the cattle business in Canada were at Stampede Park in Calgary this week for the second annual Canadian Beef Industry Conference. Attendance was up over last year, with over 700 registered attendees and banquet attendance on Wednesday night topping 820. “We were hoping to build on the success of last… Read More
The combination of increased soybean acres and high soybean aphid pressure on the prairies in 2017 has sparked conversations about thresholds, beneficial insects, and how to decide when spraying is warranted. The economic threshold for soybean aphids in Canada has traditionally been 250 aphids per plant on 80 percent of plants, with the population still… Read More
Lygus bugs are known for attacking canola, alfalfa and sunflowers (you can probably blame the lygus for that gross seed), but they can also be a significant pest in fababeans — especially after their canola food source is harvested. In general, lygus bug species like to feed on the reproductive parts of plants. “Similar to… Read More
As the clash between the U.S. and Canadian dairy industries escalates in the NAFTA talks, Dairy Farmers of Canada has found some allies in U.S. dairy outside of the U.S. Dairy Export Council and the National Milk Federation. In the National Post on Friday, Darin Von Ruden, who has a 50-cattle, multi-generational farm and heads the… Read More