The loonie has been on a real run lately, or the U.S. dollar has been in a real slump depending on how you look at it. While the rise of our dollar may have positive implications for Canadian consumers shopping in the U.S., the impact of a strong loonie on Canadian exporters is another story.... Read More
Category: Western Canada
The flax industry in Canada is still in recovery trying to manage the triffid flax discovery of 2009. Triffid, a genetically modified form of flax, was ordered destroyed over 10 years ago over concerns that the European Union would reject it. Those fears over rejection were enough reason for farmers, considering that the EU buys... Read More
In the last few years, lentil acres in Canada were on the rise. Farmers across the country planted just over 2.5 million acres of the crop last year. That being said, the expectation this year is that lentil acres will be down about 25% according to some analysts. Apparently, as good as the price for... Read More
When the media talks about profitability in the cattle business most times we talk about ranchers and feedyard owners. The other part of the beef value chain that cannot be forgotten is the cattle packer. Packers have not had a real great run as of late which has meant four day kill weeks. As we... Read More
It may be a bit of an understatement to say that farmers across the west are eager to get in the field and get seeding. In the south end of Alberta, we've been teased with one day of sun, one day of rain/snow/sleet/cold. Other parts of the west need to dry up, while Peace River... Read More
For businesses involved in the food industry, a consistent, quality ingredient is a necessity. This is especially true for those involved in baked goods. For those businesses, wheat is a very important ingredients. For Warburtons Foods, based in the U.K., Canadian wheat is specifically what they need and want. Those needs include certain characteristics specific... Read More
Barley is bumping off of $200, corn is $7.00 per bushel and dressed cattle prices are just under $200. What is going on here? With inputs and cattle prices both in bull runs it is easy to get caught up in the assumption that this will last forever. As the old saying goes, what goes... Read More
The Manitoba Canola Growers are exploring the opportunity for its members to market canola through the Canadian Wheat Board on a voluntary basis. Pick your jaw off the ground and check the calendar to see if this is an extended April fools joke. I'm sure that many of you had the same reaction as me.....HUH????... Read More
The Ipad is one of those little pieces of technology that is really carving out its place in the wide world of tech. Its portability and its functionality are two of the biggest parts of its success. Those aspects are also reasons why it has been so well received in the farming community. The intuitive... Read More
The following is an organic farmers response to the comments made on this site by Mischa Popoff, criticizing the Canadian Organic Certification System. By Rob Wallbridge, Songberry Organic Farm In 2008, organic food represented a $50 billion industry world-wide, with sales of $2 billion in Canada. Organic products account for 3.5% of all food and... Read More