Insights and Stories on Crops

New models ramp up WeatherFarm forecast accuracy

Jan. 20, 2011 at 10:22 pm CST

The forecast from the Canadian Wheat Board calls for up to 50 per cent greater accuracy from the online weather information system it offers to Prairie farmers. A new modelling system in place on WeatherFarm is expected to reduce error in short-term forecasts (that is, up to 12 hours) by […]

Quebec apple juicer picks up expansion funding

Jan. 20, 2011 at 6:59 pm CST

Sunflowers edge higher

Jan. 20, 2011 at 6:35 pm CST

By Brent Harder

Prairie crop fertilizer pioneer John Harapiak, 73

Jan. 20, 2011 at 3:10 pm CST

Australian operations boost Viterra’s year-end

Jan. 20, 2011 at 1:59 pm CST

Barley prices hold steady, for now

Jan. 20, 2011 at 6:24 am CST

(Commodity News Service Canada) — The recent surge in commodity prices has not had a direct correlation to barley prices — yet. Jim Beusekom, with Marketplace Commodities in Lethbridge, said current demand for barley is not very strong right now. “End users are pulling back a bit, as they are […]

By Brent Harder

Cargill to shed stake in Mosaic

Jan. 19, 2011 at 3:20 am CST

Saskatchewan’s potash assets are again the talk of the market as U.S. agrifood giant Cargill moves to divest its stake in the owner of the province’s biggest potash mine. Privately-held Cargill announced Tuesday it will distribute its 64 per cent stake in The Mosaic Co. to Cargill shareholders and debtholders. […]

Roofing firm to buy up peat maker Sun Gro

Jan. 18, 2011 at 6:39 pm CST

North America’s top peat producer for the horticulture market will go private as one of its shareholders moves to take up the stake it didn’t already own. Calgary roofing shingle maker IKO on Sunday announced it will buy Vancouver-based Sun Gro Horticulture in a $6.60-per-share friendly cash takeover. The deal, […]

St. Lawrence Seaway freezes tolls for 2011

Jan. 18, 2011 at 5:31 pm CST

With grain and other traffic on the St. Lawrence Seaway well up from an underwhelming 2009, the waterway’s managers plan to keep up forward momentum by freezing navigation tolls. An extra year with no toll hike “will assist our stakeholders in their efforts to develop new business and will serve […]

West’s winter wheat conditions somewhat of a mystery

Jan. 18, 2011 at 5:07 pm CST

(Commodity News Service Canada) –– The large amount of snow that’s fallen across many parts of Western Canada would normally be a good thing for the winter wheat crop. This year, however, it may not be the case. Jake Davidson, executive manager of Winter Cereals Canada at Minnedosa, Man., said […]

By Brent Harder