Category: Western Canada

As I passed through security at the Winnipeg airport last night I ran into this sign. First of all any sign that directs you to where the coffee is, packs a lot of importance for any road warrior. Whether you enjoy a daily visit to the coffee shop with friends or you just need that... Read More

If you cannot see the above embedded audio player, click here With growing speculation that feedyards in the US and Canada would be attempting to contain losses by limiting the amount of cattle they fed, the February placement number in the USDA Cattle on Feed Report confirmed it. The March 22, 2013 USDA Cattle on... Read More

There's no doubt that access to available sulphur is incredibly important to canola development and yield. Applying and managing this nutrient, however, has challenges — ammonium sulfate can be incredibly toxic to young sprouts and other forms of the fertilizer can also take some time before sulphur is made available to the plant. In an…Read More

How's the weather where you are? It's a common question because, even though there's not one thing we can do about it, it's a topic of endless fascination for many and especially farmers. Weather risks and events work themselves into the market conversations as well, as no one can control the weather, and ultimately it's…Read More

The cattle industry is one of those segments of agriculture that just feels a part of you. Whether you ranch, background or fatten cattle you tend to love the work and the business of what it entails. Separating the love of the industry from the financial realities can be a tall order for any producer.... Read More

Everyone wants in on the local food craze. Some believe formalizing its place in society through local food legislation or institutionalizing it would open doors for farmers who now feel left out. That thought prompted a University of Guelph research team to look into local food for hospitals and long-term care facilities. On the surface,... Read More

Soil salinity is one of those issues that creeps up — quite literally. The accumulation of salts in the growing zone typically happens slowly over time, causing small yield losses that may go unnoticed until salinity is quite severe. The tell-tale wavy growth in a field or, worse, bare batches or salt-loving weeds moving in…Read More

If you envision GPS-guided cows when you hear "precision dairy," you might be a grain farmer. If, instead, you envision a way to measure and monitor several aspects of dairy production no matter what time it is or where you are, you're much closer to reality.From heat detection, to mastitis management, and even lameness monitoring,…Read More

The loss of the CWB monopoly was felt more as a ripple than a tsunami in the daily marketing lives of most western Canadian farmers. What many have come to realize, however, is that the role of the CWB extended far beyond the selling of wheat and barley on behalf of farmers. Like it or... Read More

Editor's note: This letter was sent to the federal ag minister and several producer groups earlier this month. We are writing to request your support for the creation of a new producer-driven national farm organization that would work to solidify marketing systems for grains, oilseeds, pulses and special crops. While it is widely agreed that... Read More