Ben Stuart

Big on forage brassicas

Versatility and volume outweigh any risks involved

Seeing is believing for Graeme Finn, who says New Zealanders are on to a good thing with forage brassicas for winter grazing in their grass-based systems that yield massive tons of high-quality beef, lamb and milk from the country’s tiny land base. A trip there four years ago convinced him that if forage brassicas are […] Read more

Averaged sea surface temperatures and sea surface temperature anomalies worldwide for the week centred on Feb. 3. (CPC.ncep.noaa.gov)

Timing of La Nina to play key role in Prairie moisture

CNS Canada –– As the El Nino weather phenomena slowly loosens its grip across Western Canada, many weather watchers say its impact has been somewhat underwhelming. However, one meteorologist said its lingering presence, coupled with the pending arrival of the La Nina weather event, may still play a large role in determining how much moisture […] Read more





(Dave Bedard photo)

Agrium’s forecast disappoints

Reuters — Canadian fertilizer and ag retailer Agrium has joined rival PotashCorp in forecasting a weaker-than-expected 2016 profit, as prices for crop nutrients remain weak. Agrium’s Toronto-listed shares fell as much as 5.2 per cent to $110.89, its lowest in a year, as investors ignored a better-than-expected quarterly profit. The company, which sells seed, fertilizers […] Read more

(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)

Saskatchewan expects mainly below-normal spring runoff

Barring any weather surprises, most of Saskatchewan outside of east-central regions can expect below-normal runoff this spring. The province’s Water Security Agency on Tuesday released a preliminary outlook which, based on a “warmer- and drier-than-normal winter” and a resulting snowpack below normal levels, points to below-normal spring runoff. Exceptions include parts of the east-central region, […] Read more


The sixth annual Canadian Forage and Grassland Association conference was held in Saskatoon on November 17 to 19.

Onward and upward for the CFGA

Notes from the Canadian Forage and Grassland Association annual conference

The Canadian Forage and Grassland Association drew the year to a close on a high note coming out of its annual conference at Saskatoon in November. As the theme, “Capturing the Intensity” suggests, the event offered a lineup of insightful presenters on an array of topics from intensive forage management systems and soil health to […] Read more




(FarmersEdge.ca)

Major investment to build Farmers Edge’s data power

Canadian precision agronomy and farm data management firm Farmers Edge plans to keep taking its services to previously underserved acres around the world, with a major cash infusion from a group of its backers. Japanese commodities trading and investment firm Mitsui, Toronto commercial real estate company Osmington and the Green Growth Fund operated by investment […] Read more