File photo of initial symptoms that may be seen the morning after a frost in canola. Depending on the amount of frost and weather conditions, either moderate damage or severe damage may develop. (Photo courtesy Canola Council of Canada)

Prairies at risk of frosty harvest

MarketsFarm — Another dilemma is expected for the 2019 growing season: after a late start, western Canadian farmers could be challenged by an early end. Over the Aug. 10 weekend there were isolated reports of frost in some areas of the Peace region in northwestern Alberta. Other parts of the Prairies may be experiencing similar […] Read more




U.S. President Donald Trump appears with China President Xi Jinping at the G20 leaders summit on June 29, 2019.

U.S. farmers suffer ‘body blow’ as China slams door on farm purchases

Beijing | Reuters — Chinese companies have stopped buying U.S. agricultural products, China’s commerce ministry said on Tuesday, a blow to U.S. farmers who have already seen their exports slashed by the more than year-old trade war. China may impose additional tariffs on U.S. farm products bought shortly before the purchase ban took effect, China’s […] Read more


Pea straw has higher protein levels than oat, barley or triticale straw.

What to consider when choosing alternate cattle feed sources

Anything from pea straw to cull potatoes can help producers plug the feed gap

With a hay shortage looming across much of the Prairies, many cattle producers will need to look further afield for feed. There are numerous options for alternate feeds, such as salvaging hail-damaged or stressed crops. Nitrate toxicity is a concern if the crop was highly fertilized with nitrogen, but Barry Yaremcio, beef and forage specialist […] Read more

A canola field blooms in Manitoba’s Interlake on July 11, 2019.  Photo: Greg Berg/File

Canada crop tour sees smaller canola crop after reduced plantings, dry spring

Winnipeg | Reuters – Canadian farmers are likely to reap a smaller canola crop in 2019-20 due to reduced plantings and dry conditions, consultancy FarmLink Marketing Solutions said on Thursday after a crop tour of the prairie provinces. The Grain World tour on Tuesday and Wednesday, organized by FarmLink, visited fields in Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba to observe […] Read more


Photo: File/Greg Berg

ICE weekly outlook: Canola bids not moving much

Winnipeg | MarketsFarm – So far this summer, canola prices have continued to remain range-bound, said David Derwin of PI Financial in Winnipeg, Man. “On a week to week basis, we’re kind of at the low end of the range,” Derwin commented, noting C$450 per tonne has been near the low end of that range. […] Read more




Prices for wheat, corn and soybean could fall for the next 10 to 14 days.  Photo: Getty Images

ICE weekly outlook: Keep an eye on soybeans, loonie

MarketsFarm – For canola prices, the key influences will be soybeans as well as the Canadian dollar, according to Errol Anderson of ProMarket Communications in Calgary, Alta. Anderson said soybeans on the Chicago Board of Trade (CBOT) were higher, due to trade negotiations between United States and China resuming on July 29. That could push […] Read more