Grain markets started 2015 out on a bad foot as the first trading day of the year on Friday, January 2nd was all red. But the complex rebounded in the following days thanks to weather concerns and managed-money changing positions. Oats, corn, (Chicago) wheat, and soybeans continue to hover over some nice even numbers of... Read More
Category: Western Canada
Low oil prices should translate into reduced input prices for farmers, but don't expect to see major declines in fertilizer prices before the 2015 growing season, according to a lending institution consultant speaking at St. Jean Farm Days in Manitoba this week. "I think in the long run we will see our cost of production... Read More
It's rare to find a western Canadian farmer who doesn't have a tale to tell of the roaring comebacks canola has made in a growing season. Sure, there have been some wrecks — wicked windstorms that flip swaths or hail that leaves nothing but sticks — but the "Cinderella crop" (you've heard the song, right?)... Read More
With the holidays now behind us, the machine that is Canadian agriculture is revving up again for a busy few months of meetings and planning. Calving and another seeding season will be here before we know it. From the social media frenzy surrounding the #farm365 hashtag to a new disease found in canola — here’s... Read More
To some, animal agriculture is no more than the exploitation of innocent lives, often likened to human slavery, rape and torture. The animals didn't ask to be confined to cages, separated from their mothers or artificially inseminated, opponents argue. Thus, humans should take on a vegan diet, void of any animal products or by-products. Instead,... Read More
What started out as a commitment to agvocacy has quickly turned into a social media frenzy of a very nasty kind — animal rights activists have highjacked the #farm365 hashtag and are posting memes, pro-vegan slogans and calling out farmers as, well, murderers. Of course, there's also a hefty dose of other farmers following Andrew... Read More
In 2013, the Canadian beef industry initiated efforts to create a comprehensive strategy that identified a vision, mission and priorities for the sector, while aligning key industry players. Today, that work went to print, and The National Beef Strategy was released. “The need for industry to push itself is now,” said Martin Unrau, co-chair of... Read More
In less than 20 years, there will be no farmers or ranchers under the age of 35 left in the state of Wyoming, according to a study published in the U.S. journal Rangelands last week. Researchers analyzed demographic trends among farm and ranch operators in the state from 1920 to 2007, and as you would... Read More