Hursh Comment

AgriInvest could be a casualty as the federal government looks for places to cut spending. This caution isn’t based on any inside knowledge of government decision making. It’s more a recognition that the program has bad optics and is difficult to defend. With decent grain prices, it doesn’t take a large farm to generate allowable …

For what it’s worth, here is my seeding / marketing plan for the upcoming growing season. Kabuli chickpeas are a given for me after excellent returns in 2011. I’ve locked in a price of 35 cents a pound for some new crop production. That’s far less than the prices received for last year’s crop, but …

The CWB believes it will be a significant player in the grain industry after August 1. Although details are still pending (specific agreements with grain handlers), CWB staff presented a refreshingly positive picture to nearly 200 farmers during Crop Production Week in Saskatoon. For years, single desk supporters have said that a CWB without its …

Crystal ball gazing is always wrought with dangers, but it’s easy to predict a turbulent year ahead in Western Canadian agriculture. Lots of ink spilled over the CWB changes. Suffice to say that the marketing change ahead will require many adjustments by farmers and the entire grain industry. Overall, we’re heading into a tougher grain …

More than 300 young European farmers gathered for a young farmer’s event at Agritechnica tonight in Hannover, Germany. They listened to presentations from producers who have moved to other parts of the world to farm. One of the presenters was Christoph Rosnack who came from Austria and bought a farm north of Estevan, Saskatchewan a …

I’m in Hannover, Germany, the location for Agritechnica 2011. Held every two years, Agritechnica is the largest farm equipment show in the world. There are 24 massive halls filled with farm equipment. About half of the 2,750 exhibitors are from Germany with the other half from countries around the world. There are 48 Canadian exhibitors, …

If Statistics Canada is correct, and that’s a big if, canaryseed supplies are very tight. In fact, it’s tough to see how Canada will serve all of its international customers. Yes, sales to Mexico, our largest customer, are largely curtailed right now, but even without sales to Mexico, our supply looks very small. In its …

I saw the first combine of the season working on field peas today. I’m told that some red lentils are also being combined in the area. It’s amazing how quickly the heat has pushed crop maturity, especially on pulse crops. I started desiccating my large green lentils this evening so they might be ready for …

While some producers in southeastern Saskatchewan, depending upon topography, persistence, equipment and luck were able to seed 20, 40 or even 60 per cent of their farm, there are also producers who didn’t turn a wheel. Not surprisingly, there are increasing calls for government assistance. The first line of defense is crop insurance where the …

The maps are always a bit behind and they aren’t always perfectly accurate for localized areas, but it’s still very interesting to follow the precipitation maps published by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. Just google “Drought Watch” and you’ll be able to find the website. As of the end of May, the central and northern grainbelt …

Would you like to go to world’s No. 1 farm equipment show? Agritechnica is held every second year in Hanover, Germany. The next show is the middle of November.  I’m working with STEP, the Saskatchewan Trade & Export Partnership to make the trip more attainable for interested Canadian producers. Travelling as a group will provide travel …

Durum prices have nowhere to go but up. Bruce Burnett, the director of weather and market surveillance for the Canadian Wheat Board spoke to a farmer meeting yesterday at the Western Canada Farm Progress Show in Regina. Burnett says only about 40 per cent of the North Dakota durum crop has been seeded due to …