There are many challenges that have the potential to dash the business plans and hopes of farmers —from trade agreements, to climate change, and primary risks. Strong government policy is part of the solution. Helping shape effective policy will be one of Dr. Alan Ker’s goals as he assumes the newly-created Research Chair in Agriculture… Read More
Improvement of soil moisture conditions were not widespread as some would like it to be, but the good news is there was increased precipitation for much of Western Canada, according to the latest report via the Canadian Drought Monitor. Looking at the latest report (see below), producers will see a big change in southern Saskatchewan… Read More
The calendar has flipped to December which brings Christmas music (yay!) and, inevitably, colder weather (boo!). But just because it’s cold outside on the farm or ranch the work does not stop. Whether it’s pushing snow or bedding or feeding the animals, cold weather brings a new set of challenges for the tasks to get… Read More
The Spray Guys are back with a Canadian culture mash up that sees them reprise the roles of Bob and Doug McKenzie, everybody’s favourite beer drinking duo. In this episode of Exploding Spray Myths, our two hosers, played by Jason Deveau and Tom Wolf, somehow manage to jerry-rig a satellite hot stove lounge where they interview… Read More
Grain prices this week dipped lower as the complex dealt with some U.S. export numbers that came in below expectations and harvest 2018 picking back up. However, things might slow again soon as it looks there are a few spots that might get rain over the weekend or into next week, which would intuitively slow… Read More
Timing is everything ,and the snow that has fallen again this week on parts of Western Canada could not have come at a worse time. Many growers woke up Sunday and Monday to a fresh blanket of one inch to a foot of snow, depending on where you farm. Whether it’s the loss of grade,… Read More
There are not one, but two Alert! Alert! Alert! segments in this week’s Wheat Pete’s Word, and that’s just how she goes in a wet, snowy, long, drawn out harvest. Host Peter Johnson is talking wheat storage woes, mycotoxin trouble, and strip tillage tips and tricks in this early October edition of the Word. You’ll… Read More
Patience is in short supply for Western Canada’s farmers slogging through a tough harvest, but those waiting for a change in weather are just going to have to wait longer, according to Drew Lerner, of World Weather Inc. “The atmosphere is very unsettled right now,” Lerner says. “There is a lot of cold air coming… Read More
Unwanted snow that blanketed parts of Alberta and Saskatchewan in the month of September has left many farmers at a standstill near the more-than-halfway point of harvest for the year. According to Karin Lindquist, forage and beef specialist with Alberta Agriculture, the frost could be also be a concern for nitrate accumulation. “What happens is,… Read More
Farmers in Ontario can anticipate active weather to continue well into October, says Drew Lerner, of World Weather Inc. While eastern Ontario is still cleaning up from last week’s F3 and F2 tornadoes, parts of southern Ontario are experiencing nearly nightly weather alerts. Is this what we’re in for for harvest? Lerner says that cool… Read More
The 2018 harvest in Western Canada started early for many, given the hot, dry conditions earlier in the summer, but September has turned ugly — but in very different ways in different regions . While some are struggling with snow and wet conditions, still others are getting frustrated with a crop that was roaring to harvest,… Read More
The Canadian government has announced a new livestock tax deferral program which covers some, but not all, major cattle areas within the country. Although both the Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan (APAS) and the Saskatchewan Cattlemen’s Association (SCA) agree it’s a good start, neither believe it will cover everyone who needs the program. “Livestock producers… Read More
Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs plant pathologist Albert Tenuta is gearing up for his annual pre-harvest corn disease survey, and he’s optimistic leaf disease will not have a significant impact on the 2018 corn crop. Some growers have raised concerns that a rainy late July and August could lead to a flood… Read More
Harvest is underway across Canada and the heat is as variable as the crops this year. In parts of Ontario, the third week of August was the coolest (21.2 degrees) since June, according to The Weather Network. Further east, New Brunswick has been hit with high temps. along with a mix of storms, which have… Read More
The time is now for the federal government to take action and help livestock producers affected by dry conditions with a tax deferral program, according to Todd Lewis, president of the Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan (APAS). Lewis notes feed shortages are top of mind for most producers and there’s plenty of uncertainty right now if… Read More