It wasn't all that long ago that if you wanted to really heat up a room full of western Canadian farmers, you'd simply have to mention the Canadian Wheat Board. Shortly thereafter, the battle lines would be drawn between those who fully supported the board's government-mandated monopoly and those who wanted it abolished. Then came... Read More
Category: Western Canada
It seems telehandlers aren’t just for industrial applications. Merlo’s display at Ag in Motion near Saskatoon in July showed numerous agricultural applications for the machines, with the Turbofarmer 42.7 hitched to the front of a baler. The 42.7 is part of the newest family of Turbofarmers, featuring cab suspension, a 156HP engine, 134HP PTO and... Read More
I hope you have time to take a look around at the agricultural landscape this holiday weekend, and celebrate Food Day Canada as we’ve known it over the past decade or so. Because in another 12 months, our nation’s agri-food culture could feel much different. Food Day Canada is described by its founder, culinary pioneer... Read More
First its monopoly was removed, and now the name will be history too. The Canadian Wheat Board (or CWB) formally became a private grain company known as “G3 Canada” today. G3 Global Grain Group — the joint venture between Bunge and the Saudi Agriculture and Livestock Investment Company — completed the $250 million acquisition of... Read More
Grain trade this week was quite choppy as the usual suspects of weather, currency swings, and #harvest15 firing up being exacerbated by the closing of the month of July (meaning funds and other speculators may have looked to clean up their books a bit). Monday might’ve been the worst as front-month contracts for soybeans and... Read More
We’re moving into prime white mould season — mid-summer and into August. While conditions were very favourable for disease development through June (wet and cool), mid-to-late July’s heat and dry conditions could have slowed progress of the disease. While you won’t be able to gauge infection levels in soybeans without scouting (hint: go do that... Read More
Lenders have come calling for Legumex Walker Inc.'s canola processing business. According to a statement from the company, Pacific Coast Canola has defaulted on its loans, owing an estimated US$54.6 million. AgCountry Farm Credit Services, which represents a syndicate of lenders under PCC's senior credit facility, has served notice demanding the repayment of all amounts... Read More
Plans and funding for a $25 million "Livestock and Forage Centre of Excellence" were announced at the University of Saskatchewan on Thursday. Federal Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz and Saskatchewan ag minister Lyle Stewart were in Saskatoon to announce $10 million in funding for the centre under Growing Forward 2. The U of S has committed... Read More
From the Trans-Pacific trade negotiations in Hawaii to feeding canola to cattle to wild weather — here’s this week’s agriculture news highlights, summed up in less than 20 minutes: Poll: Should Canada Join the TPP if the Cost is Supply Management? Subscribe: iTunes | Android | RSS
It’s tough to talk about the cattle markets and not focus solely on the demand side which, if we’re being honest, has been nothing short of impressive. But price is a function of two components — supply being the balance to demand. While Canada’s beef herd continues to contract, ranchers in the United States have... Read More