SaskatoonHomepage.ca http://www.saskatoonhomepage.ca Thu, 09 Sep 2010 20:20:11 +0100 FeedCreator 1.7.2 http://www.saskatoonhomepage.ca/index.php?option=com_content&id=27390&task=view The provincial harvest is at a standstill amid growing concern about very wet conditions. Saskatchewan Agriculture says 13 per cent of the crop has been combined . . . . with another 31 per cent swathed or ready to straight combine. Last week at this time, 8 per cent of the crop was in the bin. Usually by this time of year, the numbers are 35 per cent combined and 29 per cent swathed or ready to straight combine. Continued rain is downgrading crop quality and keeping farmers off the field. You can view the entire crop report on a region by region basis at http://www.agriculture.gov.sk.ca/crprpt100909 (http://www.agriculture.gov.sk.ca/crprpt100909) Thu, 09 Sep 2010 12:41:45 +0100 http://www.saskatoonhomepage.ca/index.php?option=com_content&id=27374&task=view Cattle Market Update For the week ending September 3, 2010 Feeder Cattle Steers Heifers Range Average Change Range Average Change 300-400 130-146 138.17 10.40 300-400 115-130 121.25 - 400-500 125-142 134.17 9.40 400-500 105-127 115.98 - 500-600 100-140 125.38 5.15 500-600 104-115 109.82 n/c 600-700 105-126 117.75 2.60 600-700 100-114 108.86 1.65 700-800 102-121 113.07 1.45 700-800 99-113 106.01 1.85 800-900 101-115 109.23 1.25 800+ 94-107 101.66 n/c 900+ 95-109 102.26 -1.60 Source: Canfax. Note: Canfax reports cattle prices based on Saskatchewan auction marts’ reports of sale results from Thursday of the previous week to Thursday of the current week. Canfax reported that 15,066 head of cattle were sold through Saskatchewan auction markets, compared to 10,632 head in the previous week’s report. In addition, 3,937 head of yearlings were sold during internet cattle sales on Thursday and Friday. Feeder cattle prices were steady to stronger for all weight classes, with the exception of steers weighing more than 900 lb. which traded $1.60 per cwt lower to average $102.26 per cwt. The lower price for this weight class may have been a reflection of the higher volume of 1,000+ lb. steers marketed for the week rather than an overall trend to lower prices. While yearlings continue to be the focus of the market, some calves are starting to show up at feeder cattle sales, with strong prices being reported compared to the previous two to three years. Feeder steers weighing 500-600 lb. traded $5.15 per cwt higher than the previous week to average... Wed, 08 Sep 2010 18:52:50 +0100 http://www.saskatoonhomepage.ca/index.php?option=com_content&id=27354&task=view Excessive rain was a big problem in Saskatchewan this spring and it is creating major headaches again in September. Larry Hill is usually putting his combine away by the middle of September. However, the Swift Current area farmer only has 15 per cent of his crop in the bin. The cool, wet weather is delaying the maturing of late seeded crops and has hurt crop quality, especially lentils. We don't have any shiny number ones. I'm hoping they are at least extra three's and maybe we got some two's. Certainly, they have taken a bit of a beating because we could not get on the field to get them off in time. Even when the weather improves, farmers are not counting on long harvesting days. You have got heavy dews at night with all of the moisture around, so you don't get a good start in the morning, says Hill. The sun goes down at 8 o'clock and with peas and lentils, that's pretty well the whistle because things are tough and they won't feed. (into the combine) Hill and other Saskatchewan farmers will be making ample use of aeration bins and grain drying equipment when harvest finally... Wed, 08 Sep 2010 10:59:12 +0100 http://www.saskatoonhomepage.ca/index.php?option=com_content&id=27321&task=view Rain has thrown a big monkey wrench into this week's harvesting plans. Between one and four inches of rain fell during the Labor Day long weekend. Worse still, more precipitation is in the forecast for Friday. Swift Current area farmer Larry Hill says the lack of progress is creating a lot of concern. Between 10 and 15 per cent of the Saskatchewan crop has been combined, well behind normal. Late seeded crops are not maturing in the cool weather. Tim Wiens farms in the Herschel area, about 130 kilometres southwest of Saskatoon. He says there is still lots of time to get the crop off . . . . if we can get warm, dry weather over the last half of September and into October. Mon, 06 Sep 2010 22:30:53 +0100 http://www.saskatoonhomepage.ca/index.php?option=com_content&id=27287&task=view A U of S campus landmark is gone. The incinerator stack at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine has been demolished. It's part of a massive renovation project to the College that includes a new 9 million dollar diagnostic lab and improvements to both the large and small animal clinics. Colin Tennant, from Facilities Management says the improvements to the College will put the facility absolutely ahead of the pack in terms of vet schools across Canada. Those renovations will be complete early in 2011. And, the International Vaccine Centre is attracting attention from regulatory bodies, not because officials are concerned about it, but because they are amazed at the construction process for the Level 3 Containment facility which is attached to VIDO. Fri, 03 Sep 2010 16:16:40 +0100 http://www.saskatoonhomepage.ca/index.php?option=com_content&id=27286&task=view The Canadian Wheat Board Director elections, for odd numbered districts are this fall. Nominations for candidates close on October 15th and next week a preliminary voters list will be made available to any registered candidates. The former president of the National Farmers Union has come forward to run in CWB District 3. Stewart Wells, who farms near Swift Current, spent 12 years on the board of the National Farmers Union, the last eight as president. The current director for District 3 is Canadian Wheat Board Chairman Larry Hill. He's no longer eligible to run. Voters packages will be mailed out at the end of October and ballots will be counted in mid December. Fri, 03 Sep 2010 16:14:41 +0100 http://www.saskatoonhomepage.ca/index.php?option=com_content&id=27285&task=view The province has confirmed the ethanol grant program will continue through to 2012. That means an estimated 23 million dollars in provincial money will be available to support the ethanol industry here. In the 2010-2011 provincial budget, the province considered harmonizing the Ethanol Grant Program with new federal programming. Brad Wildeman, Pound-maker Agventures President, says industry argued against that because the reality is, there are ethanol programs operating in the U.S., and every state has different programming, and it's the same story within Canada. Wildeman says we need to make sure that we are looking after Saskatchewan's interests first and once a level playing field is in place we are good to go. He says we have 50 percent of the land base and the lowest feed costs in all of North America but all that doesn't matter if the regulations are such that you are being discriminated against. So the province has undertaken a review of the program which won't be complete until 2012. According to the province, Saskatchewan's ethanol industry employs about 4 hundred people and contributes 2 hundred and 30 million dollars a year to the provincial economy. Fri, 03 Sep 2010 16:11:37 +0100 http://www.saskatoonhomepage.ca/index.php?option=com_content&id=27284&task=view There's been another case of anthrax reported in a herd of cattle. The case, the second in the RM of Fillmore, southeast of Regina, was confirmed yesterday (Sept 2). It's the 4th confirmed case this year. The first was confirmed on August 6th in the RM of Wellington, southeast of Regina, and involved a herd of bison. The 2nd case, confirmed in mid August was also in the RM of Fillmore and involved a herd of cattle and a horse. On August 22nd, anthrax was confirmed in a small herd of cattle in the RM of Garden River, north of Prince Albert. Findings of anthrax in Western Canada are not uncommon. The spores that cause the disease are known to exist in soil across the Canadian prairies and generally, wet conditions, like we've had this summer, help bring them to the surface where they get ingested by livestock. Fri, 03 Sep 2010 16:05:14 +0100 http://www.saskatoonhomepage.ca/index.php?option=com_content&id=27258&task=view There were less rain events in the province over the past week and that means harvest did advance. Eight per cent of the 2010 crop has been combined and another 22 percent has been swathed or is ready to straight combine. Looking at specific regions, the southwest has 15 per cent of the crop combined, the southeast 14 per cent, and the northeast and northwest each have two per cent combined. In east-central Saskatchewan, four per cent of the crop is combined and, in west-central Saskatchewan, the figure is six per cent. On a provincial basis, topsoil moisture is rated as 29 percent surplus, but there are some regions, including the east central, where topsoil moisture is 59 percent surplus. There was some strong wind in some areas of the province over the past week causing some canola, pea and hay swaths to blow around. To see the full report go to: http://www.agriculture.gov.sk.ca/crprpt100902 Thu, 02 Sep 2010 13:15:25 +0100 http://www.saskatoonhomepage.ca/index.php?option=com_content&id=27237&task=view Many canola fields are still a week away from the 50 to 60 percent seed colour change but the threat of sclerotinia, hail or frost has some growers eager to get the crop cut. Agronomy Specialist Tiffany Martinka is with the Canola Council of Canada. She says a lot of producers might be jumping the gun because they are worried about frost risks. She says the key thing to keep in mind about frost is that canola needs to be laying in the swath for about 3 days. That's how long it usually takes to dry down below that twenty percent moisture level. Martinka says if producers get out into the crop too early the yield won't be maximized because the plant won't have finished setting seed. She says producers need to be getting into the field and checking for seed colour change, rather than pod colour change. That's because what's often seen at this time of year is sun scald which changes the colour of the pods and even though it appears ripe, it isn't. When swath-rolling diseased canola, lightly to tuck swath edges into the stubble to limit pod shatter and reduce the spread of sclerotinia, which tends to move faster... Wed, 01 Sep 2010 14:58:21 +0100 http://www.saskatoonhomepage.ca/index.php?option=com_content&id=27210&task=view The CWB is preparing a recommendation for the federal government to increase initial payments to farmers. The move follows significant increases in the August 2010-11 Pool Return Outlook for wheat, durum and barley. Meantime, according to the Canadian Wheat Board, across the prairies, overall harvest progress is 11 per cent complete, behind the normal progress of 17 per cent for this time of year. Harvest in Saskatchewan and Alberta remains behind normal and patchy. Harvest progress was delayed by mid-week rain in eastern Saskatchewan and northern Alberta and scattered rains late in the week across the Prairies. Conditions were generally dry in southern Alberta and western Saskatchewan, enabling swathing and initial harvest activities. Some light frosts in central and northern Alberta on Sunday hit low lying, less mature crops, but overall damage appears modest. Good harvest progress was made in Manitoba, and an estimated 35 per cent of all crops are completed in that province. Tue, 31 Aug 2010 12:20:53 +0100 http://www.saskatoonhomepage.ca/index.php?option=com_content&id=27181&task=view Feeder cattle prices continue to trend higher, with prices in all weight classes increasing from the previous week. Fundamental factors, including lower supplies of feeder cattle, increased beef exports and strong domestic beef demand, are supporting the current pricing structure for feeder cattle in North America. Feeder steers weighing 800-900 pounds traded $3.20 per hundred weight higher than the previous week, to average $107.97, while the average price for steers weighing over 900 pounds was $103.82, more than 2 dollars per hundred weight higher than the previous week. Feeder heifers weighing 700-800 lb. traded $1.55 per hundred weight higher than the previous week, averaging $104.18, while the average price for heifers weighing over 800 lb. was $101.27 per, $2.90 higher than the previous week. Overall, compared to one year ago, feeder cattle prices have increased approximately $10 per hundred weight for each weight class. It is anticipated that some spring calves will start showing up at cattle sales in the upcoming weeks and cow-calf producers will be hoping that the current trend to higher feeder cattle prices continues through the fall calf run. Mon, 30 Aug 2010 13:34:44 +0100 http://www.saskatoonhomepage.ca/index.php?option=com_content&id=27167&task=view Farmers are the ultimate consumers of products made from potash and the Keystone Agricultural Producers in Manitoba say the lack of competition in the fertilizer industry has already been flagged as a problem. The organization says Governments these days are reluctant to interfere with market forces, but Canada's competitive edge in many markets depends on access to crop nutrients at reasonable prices. NDP Leader Dwain Lingenfelter says provincial governments, especially in Saskatchewan and Manitoba, have to take a lot more interest in agricultural policy. Because, Lingenfelter says, farmers are really at risk of being in a position where it doesn't matter what the price of grain is, if they can't make a living at it, because the multi nationals come in and sweep up the profits. The Manitoba farm organization says the takeover of Potash Corp is not just a shareholder issue. Mon, 30 Aug 2010 10:28:18 +0100 http://www.saskatoonhomepage.ca/index.php?option=com_content&id=27166&task=view The Saskatoon Berry Council of Canada aims to raise the profile of the Saskatoon Berry. President of the Council Sandy Purdy says the goal of the newly created Council is to create a strong brand image, locally, nationally and internationally. The focus will be on the berry as a superfruit, ie. why Saskatoon Berries are good for your health, just like blueberries, goji berries, and pomegranate. Purdy says the time has come to invest in the marketing that will bring the Saskatoon Berry to the entire Canadian marketplace. There are 9 hundred and 68 Saskatoon Berry Producers in the country who produce a crop worth 8 and a half million dollars annually to the Canadian economy. She says the council has done some homework up to now, including a huge research document looking at where the industry is, what it needs, how to move forward into the superfruit category, and what initiatives need to be undertaken, all with financial support from the Agriculture Council of Saskatchewan. And now the council is seeking membership and a strategic plan to move forward is in the works. Purdy says, for example, some marketing materials need to be produced promoting the health benefits of the Saskatoon Berry and an increase... Mon, 30 Aug 2010 10:25:10 +0100 http://www.saskatoonhomepage.ca/index.php?option=com_content&id=27122&task=view Farmers are the ultimate consumers of products made from potash and the Keystone Agricultural Producers in Manitoba say the lack of competition in the fertilizer industry has already been flagged as a problem. The organization says Governments these days are reluctant to interfere with market forces, but Canada's competitive edge in many markets depends on access to crop nutrients at reasonable prices. NDP Leader Dwain Lingenfelter says provincial governments have to take a lot more interest in agricultural policy because he says farmers are at risk. He says it won't matter what the price of grain is if multinationals are sweeping up every penny of profit. The Manitoba farm organization says the takeover of Potash Corp is not just a shareholder issue. Fri, 27 Aug 2010 12:34:44 +0100 http://www.saskatoonhomepage.ca/index.php?option=com_content&id=27121&task=view There's been another anthrax outbreak, but this one has only resulted in the death of one animal so far. It's in a small cattle herd in the Prince Albert area. Lynn Bates, with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency says this is an area where anthrax has occurred in the past, most recently in a bison herd in 2008. Bates says the animals in the herd have been vaccinated for anthrax now and the farm is under quarantine. There have been two other cases of anthrax in the province so far this year, both are in the southern part of the province around Weyburn. There were substantial deaths in a bison herd in the RM of Wellington and there were 15 deaths, 14 cattle and one horse, on a farm in the RM of Fillmore. Fri, 27 Aug 2010 12:31:56 +0100 http://www.saskatoonhomepage.ca/index.php?option=com_content&id=27120&task=view Multiple hailstorms on the same land are complicating the insurance claim process. The number of hail claims in Saskatchewan has exceeded ten thousand, up by about 2 thousand from two weeks ago. Most of the new claims are from storms that occurred on August 11th and 12th. While many areas of the province were hit, a large number of the claims are coming from the southeast part of the province including Weyburn and Moosomin. A couple of townships in the Alameda and Estevan area had as many as 5 different hail storms this year, prompting multiple claims on the same property. Fri, 27 Aug 2010 12:30:59 +0100 http://www.saskatoonhomepage.ca/index.php?option=com_content&id=27106&task=view The Canadian Wheat Board has released their Pool Return Outlook for 2010-2011 crop year. Grain values have risen significantly. The latest price forecast shows a one dollar 45 cent a bushel jump in high grade spring wheat and feed barley, one dollar 9 cents a bushel for durum, and one dollar a bushel for malt barley. The Wheat Boards Pool Return Outlook says the improved outlook reflects drought in Russia and a ban on exports. Russia's spring wheat crop is expected to be half of last years production, with production problems also in Ukraine and Kazakstan. But strong supplies in the U.S. are negative factors for prices. The farmgate Saskatchewan price for Number One Red Spring Wheat, 13.5 per-cent protein, is estimated at 5.95 a bushel. For One Durum, 13 per-cent protein, its 5.07 a bushel. Feed barley is 3 dollars 2 cents a bushel, and for 2 row malt barley its 4.13 a bushel. For 6-row malt barley, the take-home price is expected to be 3.76 a bushel. Thu, 26 Aug 2010 14:25:13 +0100 http://www.saskatoonhomepage.ca/index.php?option=com_content&id=27104&task=view Just over two per cent of the 2010 crop has been combined and 9 percent has been swathed or is ready to straight combine. The five-year provincial average for this time of year is 12 per cent combined and 19 per cent swathed or ready to straight combine. Grant McLean compiles the Weekly Crop Report for Saskatchewan Agriculture. He says the most advanced, when it comes to the harvest is in the southeast, particularly right along the border where producers have been able to pick up a fair amount of their harvest. Next up is the southwest where 6 percent of the crop has been combined and ten percent swathed or ready to straight cut. Provincially, 24 per cent of the winter wheat and fall rye, six per cent of the lentils, 15 per cent of the peas and three per cent of the mustard have been combined. In both the east central and northeast part of the province the overnight low temperatures dipped down a bit over the past week. In the west central part of the province, 4 percent of the crop has been combined. In the northwest just 2 percent of the crop is ready to be swathed or straight cut. The rain has... Thu, 26 Aug 2010 13:06:36 +0100 http://www.saskatoonhomepage.ca/index.php?option=com_content&id=27081&task=view Feed barley export prices have risen in recent weeks, mostly due to the Russian drought and poor growing conditions in Eastern Europe. Over the past two years, exports from the Black Sea region represented over 60 per cent of the global feed barley trade. Importing countries are seeking to cover their short and medium term feed barley supply needs during this time of uncertainty. As a result, export prices for feed barley have become more competitive with the domestic livestock market. The Wheat Board says it has sold more than 200,000 metric tonnes of feed barley in recent weeks. Farmers can access the CWB sales by signing Guaranteed Price Contracts. These are three way contracts between the Wheat Board, grain companies and farmers. The CWB has a guaranteed in-store price and a delivery period. Producers negotiate the freight and handling with the grain company. The most recent Guaranteed Price Contract was $215/mt in store Vancouver, which translates into a $3.30 a bushel farmgate price in Saskatchewan. Wed, 25 Aug 2010 14:54:47 +0100