Insights and Stories on Weather

Alta. pest watchers tweet on flea beetle presence

Jun. 8, 2013 at 12:00 am CDT

Alberta farmers, agronomists and entomologists reported flea beetle infestations during this week’s bug chat on Twitter — but so far spraying isn’t widespread. Farmers around New Norway and Viking wrote that they were seeing flea beetles in the area, but canola crops seem to be outgrowing the damage. Lisa Anderson, […]

Leave crusted-over canola be, and hope for the best

Jun. 7, 2013 at 7:31 pm CDT

By FBC staff

Treat blackleg in canola if known to be trouble

Jun. 7, 2013 at 7:02 pm CDT

By FBC staff

Prairie oat cash market strong with tight supply concerns

Jun. 7, 2013 at 5:58 pm CDT

By Terryn Shiells

U.S. corn, soy soar as wetter forecasts threaten planting

Jun. 7, 2013 at 4:57 pm CDT

By Tom Polansek

Planting worries support U.S. soybean futures

Jun. 6, 2013 at 4:00 pm CDT

U.S. soybean futures trimmed losses and deferred contracts ended higher on Thursday on concerns a return of wet weather will cause more planting delays. Corn futures also closed higher. New-crop soybeans have been under pressure for the past two days on expectations that drier conditions would accelerate planting after weeks […]

By Tom Polansek

Guenther: Critical period now in sclerotinia cycle

Jun. 5, 2013 at 5:25 pm CDT

Last year’s sclerotinia pressure on the Prairies means farmers should be prepared to spray again if conditions are right, and the economics and yield potential warrant it. Canola farmers in Alberta and Saskatchewan saw what was probably the highest sclerotinia pressure ever last year, says Todd Friday, pulse and oilseeds […]

By Lisa Guenther

Pearce: Rain a good sign to most Ont. soybean growers

Jun. 5, 2013 at 4:52 pm CDT

Some Ontario growers were happier than others to see the end of May — and for more than one reason. The planting season across much of Ontario is all but done, and in spite of later-than-desired planting for corn, soybeans went in as expected. Yet aside from a late-month deluge, […]

By Ralph Pearce

Tight supplies support front-month U.S. corn, soy futures

Jun. 5, 2013 at 4:25 pm CDT

Front-month U.S. corn and soybean futures rose on Wednesday on concerns that supplies will dwindle before the next harvest, while deferred contracts sank. Inventories of crops left over from last year’s drought-reduced harvest are scarce ahead of the autumn harvest. Rain-delayed planting this spring will likely mean a late harvest, […]

By Karl Plume Tom Polansek

Assess frostbitten alfalfa, prepare to mow

Jun. 5, 2013 at 3:39 pm CDT

Alfalfa growers whose stands are hit by frost — as growers saw in southeastern Manitoba this past Sunday and Monday mornings — will need to assess and get ready to mow if need be. The growth of each alfalfa stem takes place at the tip — and a late spring […]

By john-mcgregor