For some reason there has been some significant discussion on Twitter lately amongst different farmers regarding the suggested negative impact that Hutterite Colonies have on agriculture. For some its easy to pick on Hutterites. They dress differently than you and I. Hutterites live a lifestyle that is not appealing for many. Once you get past… Read More
I have written before that the future is in seed treatments and fungicides for the traditional crop protection companies. The additional point that I should of included is the growth potential for the biological market in the seed treatment product area. The interesting point is that biologicals are designed to work in conjunction (stacking) with… Read More
As we head closer into the Western Canadian spring we have always seen a premium in fertilizer prices. Typically, local supply demand fundamentals become the key driver of price and international markets fall more to the side. The historical premium in the market that is created is based on the fact that local fertilizer manufacturers… Read More
I am not surprised by the decision that has been made by the US government to appeal the recent decision by the World Trade Organization. Many American producers and packers were hoping that the government would not appeal but the level of shock should be low. The American Farm Bureau and the NCBA recently passed… Read More
It looks as though the basics of supply and demand are at work in a dramatic way in the soybean market to the point where soybeans could return to the highs of 2008. China is leading the charge on the demand side both from the consumer and the livestock end with growth in global demand… Read More
The current beef-trade relationship between the U.S. and Canada is the best it’s been in a long time. That’s good. We do a lot of business with the U.S. and from a geographical perspective, there is a “convenience factor” that will always keep that relationship somewhat open no matter the issue. However, even with that… Read More
The United Nations Food & Agriculture Organization’s Agricultural Outlook for 2011-2020 shows a continued trend of rising and volatile food prices spurred on by increased demand in emerging markets. Holding up that strong demand is productivity that is barely keeping pace with the growth in those markets. Population growth in countries like India and China… Read More
With last weeks expected sale of the Viterra Livestock Division to Hi-Pro Feeds LP the feed industry in Canada has changed in Western Canada. Hi-Pro will be owned by Birch Hill Equity Partners and the employees of the company. In the press release Viterra said that the sale was initiated for strategic reasons. Viterra is… Read More
Cattle producers and industry members from the U.S., Canada and beyond gathered at NCBA 2012 to talk about the state of the industry, the triumphs and the challenges. As we look further ahead into 2012, the challenges for the margin operator don’t seem to get any easier. In fact, you could say that it looks… Read More
James S Peck owns and operates PX Farms Ltd. in Cambridge, England. The operation is close to 6000 acres and is comprised of a combination of contracted acres and his own family farm. The farm is extremely large for the U.K. and the growth it has seen since PX Farms was established in 2003 has… Read More
If a person were to describe the overall mood of this year’s NCBA Conference, it would be descibed as price bullish and margin bearish. As we have mentioned before, it’s a cautious optimism for feeders and packers, which comes with a recognition of the volatility that producers have gone through and are also facing in the future…. Read More
There is the assumption that in general, because the world population is increasing, the demand for meat, in particular beef, will naturally grow and expand. That generalization may make sense from a North American perspective, but eating habits here aren’t eating habits everywhere and any growth in the industry has to take place in export… Read More
Volatility was the recurring theme in the cattle industry over 2011. The fact is that the mood created by that volatility has carried into 2012. Even with things looking up for producers, the violent swings of the 2011 market are tempering any optimism with caution. Those sentiments were apparent at this year’s Tiffin Conference as… Read More
The Aphid Advisor app is a decision-making tool to help determine whether a control action is warranted for Soybean Aphids (Aphis glycines) on soybeans in the province of Ontario, Canada. This app uses aphid and natural enemy numbers, as well as expected population growth rates, to indicate whether there are enough natural enemies to keep… Read More
This morning Monsanto released a statement confirming the three fields in southern Alberta contain glyphosate resistant kochia. Not surprising considering that the growth of glyphosate resistant weeds in North America is on the rise. This new case though comes with a new twist that is different than other situations. According to the Monsanto press release,… Read More
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