Category Archives: Agriculture

Most crops still behind but some swathing started

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The latest Saskatchewan Crop Report notes that many crops still need to develop to maturity, although as of August 18, minimal combining and some swathing had commenced. West of Unity, Saskatchewan, in the Denzil area, some canola fields have been swathed as of today, August 23, such as this field near Grass Lake.

RM of Grass Lake, Saskatchewan

Saskatchewan Crop Report for August 12 to 18

Just over one per cent of the 2014 provincial crop has been combined, while four per cent is swathed or ready to straight-cut, according to Saskatchewan Agriculture’s weekly Crop Report. The five-year average (2009-2013) for this time of year is two per cent combined and five per cent swathed or ready to straight-cut. Harvest operations are the furthest ahead in the southwestern region where four per cent of the crop has been combined. At this time, average crop yields are being reported in most areas.

Provincially, 19 per cent of the fall rye, nine per cent of the field peas, eight per cent of the winter wheat and three per cent of the lentils are combined. Seven per cent of the canola and four per cent of the mustard are swathed. Recent warm weather has encouraged crop development; however, frequent rain showers and heavy morning dew are delaying crop maturation and harvest operations for many producers.

Rainfall this past week ranged from trace amounts to several inches in some southeastern and west-central areas. Across the province, topsoil moisture on cropland is rated as seven per cent surplus, 82 per cent adequate, 10 per cent short and one per cent very short. Hay land and pasture topsoil moisture is rated as four per cent surplus, 79 per cent adequate, 16 per cent short and one per cent very short.

Heavy rain, strong winds and hail caused the majority of crop damage this week. Grasshoppers, wheat midge, fusarium head blight and sclerotinia are also causing some damage.

Farmers are busy desiccating, swathing, combining and finishing up haying operations.

West-Central Saskatchewan (Crop Districts 6B – Hanley, Outlook, Loreburn, Saskatoon and Arelee areas; Crop District 7A – Rosetown, Kindersley, Eston, Major; CD 7B – Kerrobert, Macklin, Wilkie and Biggar areas)

Harvest is just starting in the region with producers beginning to desiccate pulses and swath canola. One per cent of the barley has been combined and five per cent of the canola has been swathed. Three per cent of the field peas and two per cent of the lentils are ready for straight-cutting. Overall, the majority of crops are behind normal development but they are quickly advancing thanks to recent warm weather. At this time, yields are estimated to be average, although there are some reports of high disease levels in pulses that will likely decrease yield and quality.

Rainfall ranged from trace amounts to 50 mm in the Kindersley area. Since April 1, the Major area has received the region’s greatest amount of cumulative rainfall at 396 mm. Topsoil moisture conditions on cropland are rated as 11 per cent surplus, 75 per cent adequate, 13 per cent short and one per cent very short. Hay land and pasture topsoil moisture is rated as nine per cent surplus, 73 per cent adequate, 17 per cent short and one per cent very short. CD 6B is reporting that three per cent of cropland acres and seven per cent of hay land and pasture acres are very short of topsoil moisture at this time.

The majority of damage this week was caused by localized flooding, strong winds and hail. In some areas, drought-like field conditions and grasshoppers have caused damage as well. Some producers are reporting high levels of sclerotinia in canola.

Farmers are busy starting harvest operations and hauling bales.

Crop Report for July 29 to August 4, 2014

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From the Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture

Saskatchewan’s livestock producers now have 72 per cent of the hay crop baled or put into silage, with an additional 13 per cent ready for baling, according to Saskatchewan Agriculture’s weekly Crop Report.

Rain showers and high humidity are keeping swathes from drying properly and have decreased hay quality in some areas. At this time, eight per cent of the hay crop is rated as excellent in quality, 77 per cent good, 14 per cent fair and one per cent poor.

Rainfall in the province ranged from nil to several inches. While rain was welcomed by many producers to help alleviate dry conditions, additional rain will be needed to help later-seeded crops mature and fill. Across the province, topsoil moisture on cropland is rated as five per cent surplus, 84 per cent adequate, 10 per cent short and one per cent very short. Hay land and pasture topsoil moisture is rated as three per cent surplus, 79 per cent adequate, 16 per cent short and two per cent very short.

Pasture conditions are rated as 15 per cent excellent, 68 per cent good, 15 per cent fair and two per cent poor. Livestock producers have adequate water supplies for their animals.

There are reports of crops starting to turn. Desiccation of peas and lentils has just started in some southwestern and west-central areas. Some crops that were damaged by recent hail are being swathed for feed. Strong winds, heavy rain and damaging hail have caused the majority of crop damage this week. Grasshoppers and leaf spot diseases have also caused some damage.

Farmers are busy haying, hauling grain and getting ready for harvest.

ripening grain

West-Central Saskatchewan (Crop Districts 6B – Hanley, Outlook, Loreburn, Saskatoon and Arelee areas; Crop District 7A – Rosetown, Kindersley, Eston, Major; CD 7B – Kerrobert, Macklin, Wilkie and Biggar areas)

Recent rain showers and high humidity are delaying haying progress and swath dry down for many producers in the region. Seventy-one per cent of the hay crop has been baled or put into silage, with an additional 15 per cent cut and ready for baling. Hay quality is rated as four per cent excellent, 64 per cent good and 32 per cent fair.

Crops are quickly advancing in the region and some producers may begin desiccation and swathing operations within the next week or two on earlier-seeded crops. However, the majority of crops are still behind normal developmental stages for this time of year. Recent storms brought strong winds, heavy rain and damaging hail to some areas of the region and some hail damaged fields are now being cut for feed. There have been reports of higher than expected disease levels in some crops while some producers continue to spray for grasshoppers in lentil crops.

The Major area received the most rain this week with 70 mm, bringing its total amount received since April 1 to 343 mm. Topsoil moisture conditions on cropland are rated as eight per cent surplus, 85 per cent adequate, six per cent short and one per cent very short. Hay land and pasture topsoil moisture is rated as five per cent surplus, 85 per cent adequate and 10 per cent short.

Pasture conditions are rated as 23 per cent excellent, 67 per cent good and 10 per cent fair. Livestock water availability is adequate at this time.

Farmers are busy haying, hauling grain and getting ready for harvest.

Latest report on crop progress

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With the flooding in southeast Saskatchewan, we thought it might be a good time to update readers on the latest crop report. The following is from the report for July 1 to 10, 2014

Province of Saskatchewan

Warm weather in much of the province has helped with crop development and haying.  Livestock producers now have six per cent of the hay crop cut and one per cent baled or put into silage, according to Saskatchewan Agriculture’s weekly Crop Report.

Many producers on the east side of the province continue to deal with localized flooding and saturated fields.  Although weather conditions have improved, many crops in these regions have been significantly affected by the excess moisture.  Early estimates suggest that between two million to three million acres have been flooded and are unlikely to produce a crop.

Topsoil moisture conditions are improving for many areas.  Across the province, topsoil moisture on cropland is rated as 34 per cent surplus, 64 per cent adequate and two per cent short.  Hay land and pasture topsoil moisture is rated as 25 per cent surplus, 71 per cent adequate, three per cent short and one per cent very short.

The majority of fall cereals are in the shotblade to dough stages of crop development, while most spring cereals are in the tillering to shotblade stages.  The majority of pulse crops are in the vegetative to flowering stages and flax crops are mostly in the seedling to flowering crop stages.  Most canola and mustard crops are in the seedling to flowering stages of development.

Crop damage this week is attributed to excess moisture, localized flooding, hail, wind and insects such as the cabbage seedpod weevil.  Root rots and leaf spot diseases have also caused some damage.  There is adequate water available for livestock, and pasture conditions are rated as 27 per cent excellent, 62 per cent good, 10 per cent fair and one per cent poor.

Farmers are busy controlling pests and haying.

West Central Saskatchewan

Six per cent of the hay crop has been cut and less than one per cent has been baled or put into silage. Hay quality is rated as 89 per cent good and 11 per cent fair; yields are not expected to be as high as normal in many areas. Crop reporters rate pasture conditions as 44 per cent excellent, 49 per cent good and seven per cent fair. Livestock producers report having adequate water supplies for their animals.

Rainfall in the region ranged from small amounts to 35 mm in the Landis area. The Sonningdale area continues to lead the region in total rainfall, having received 287 mm of rain since April 1. Topsoil moisture on cropland is rated as five per cent surplus, 94 per cent adequate and one per cent short. Hay land and pasture topsoil moisture is rated as three per cent surplus, 90 per cent adequate and seven per cent short.

Localized flooding, wind, insects and diseases such as root rots are causing the majority of damage this week. Spraying continues and many producers are now spraying fungicides in some fields. A storm went through the area bringing baseball-sized hail and high winds. There are reports of several tornadoes touching down and damaging fields and yards.

Farmers are busy haying, controlling pests and hauling grain.

canoia

Progressive Agriculture Safety Day

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About 140  Grade 4 and 5 students from Unity Public School and St. Peter’s School in Unity, SK, and Norman Carter School in Wilkie, SK, attended a Progressive Agriculture Safety day May 22, organized by ADM Agri-Industries of Lloydminster. The safety day was held at the Agroplex in Unity.

Mike Wismer and Darcy Thomas, of Unity Family Foods, provided lunch for all students, teachers, instructors and chaperons.

Unity Family FoodsEnjoy the following photos and please see the June 2nd issue of the Unity Wilkie Press-Herald for additional details of the event.

Eight different safety stations were set up.

Combine safety, hosted by Jeremy Thompson of Moody’s Equipment, Unity, Saskatchewan

Moody's Equipment

First aid, hosted by Robb Henderson and Fay Robertson of Heartland Health Region

Heartland Health, Saskatchewan

Chemical safety, hosted by Jennifer Heyden and Alison Sutherland, Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture

Learning to be safe around chemicals

Fire safety, hosted by Unity firefighter Chris Lebebvre

Unity firefighters

Firearm safety, hosted by hunter safety instructors Mervin Bosch and Gary Neigum

Farm Safety Day, Unity SK

Vehicle/rollover safety, hosted by Sgt. Grant Rusk and RCMP

RCMP with rollover simulatro

Tractor safety, hosted by Larry Budd and Stephen Ireland of JayDee AgTech, Unity

Farm Safety Day, Unity SK

Also hosting a safety station was Ann Chan, public health inspector, who spoke about food safety to the students.

The following photos illustrate the tractor safety demo of the power of a front end loader.

safety melon1tractor safetypower of front end loadertractor safety

 

 

A busy weekend in Unity, Saskatchewan!

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Softball Fever, Unity SK

Between two full days of action at the Regional Park ball diamonds, two nights of wonderful dance performances by Revolution Dance students, kids and fathers honouring mothers and farmers finally able to be out and about preparing for seeding, May 9 to 11 was one busy weekend in Unity, Saskatchewan!

Revolution Dance students

The Government of Saskatchewan summed up the week prior, April 29 to May 5, for farmers, saying:

Despite a cool and wet start to spring, seeding has begun in some parts of the province according to Saskatchewan Agriculture’s weekly Crop Report. The southwestern region is reporting that two per cent of the crop is now in the ground, while some producers in the southeastern and west-central regions are just beginning to seed. The majority of producers will begin seeding in the next week or so.

Precipitation this week ranged from trace amounts to 39 mm in the southeast. Many areas of the province have received more than 100 mm of precipitation since April 1, which has delayed seeding. Provincially, cropland topsoil moisture is rated as 30 per cent surplus, 67 per cent adequate and three per cent short. Hay land and pasture topsoil moisture is 18 per cent surplus, 79 per cent adequate and three per cent short.

Farmers are busy moving cattle, preparing machinery and starting to seed.

For west-central Saskatchewan, the report was:

Seeding has begun for some producers but the majority will likely begin in the coming week as long as the weather co-operates. Some drier fields are being worked or spread with fertilizer while other fields remain too wet to support equipment. Warm and dry weather is needed for weeds and pastures to grow.

Precipitation ranged from trace amounts in much of the region to 18 mm in the Netherhill area. The Rosthern area has recorded the greatest amount of precipitation in the region since April 1 (97 mm). Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as seven per cent surplus, 85 per cent adequate and eight per cent short. Hay land and pasture topsoil moisture is rated as five per cent surplus, 87 per cent adequate, seven per cent short and one per cent very short. CD 7A is reporting that 14 per cent of the cropland is short of topsoil moisture, while CD 7B is reporting that 17 per cent of the hay land and pasture is short of topsoil moisture.

Below-normal temperatures have slowed pasture growth, and some cattle are being supplemented until they move. Pre-seed herbicide applications in some areas will likely be held off for a few days to a week until weeds begin to grow. There are reports of some winter wheat and fall rye crops being winterkilled, although it is still early to fully determine whether those fields will need to be reseeded. Farmers are busy preparing equipment, working fields and starting to seed.

Grain bag recycling program extended

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Federal Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz and Saskatchewan Agriculture Minister Lyle Stewart announced funding of $100,000 to extend the Grain Bag Recycling Pilot Project into 2014.  The announcement was made April 16.

The program includes recycling for both grain bags and twine.

“The high level of farmer participation in this project demonstrates the importance of responsibly disposing grain bags,” said Ritz.  “Our government is proud to continue to partner with the Government of Saskatchewan to support this program for producers.”

“We are pleased to extend the Grain Bag Recycling Pilot Project until a permanent program is implemented,” Stewart said.  “With increasing use of grain bags to store the record crop from last year’s harvest, we want farmers to continue to have an option to responsibly dispose of their bags.”

The Grain Bag Recycling Pilot Project was first implemented in March 2011.  Since inception, approximately 325,800 kg of plastic (2,172 bags) and 6,600 kg of twine has been recycled.

Recycling grain storage bagsThe Ministry of Environment is currently working on the creation of regulations that will form the basis for an industry-led, permanent recycling program for 2015.  The Grain Bag Recycling Pilot Project is administered by Simply Agriculture Solutions Inc. (formerly the Provincial Council of Agriculture Development and Diversification Boards) and funded through the federal-provincial Growing Forward 2 framework.

“Simply Agriculture Solutions looks forward to continuing to provide an environmentally responsible solution for the disposal of the grain bags and twine and working with producers across the province as we incorporate additional plastics (silage plastic and net wrap) into the pilot program,” Agricultural Plastic Recycling Co-ordinator Travis Quirk said.

Farmers and ranchers can access collection sites across the province in a number of locations, including Unity, SK.

For more information, producers can contact Simply Agriculture Solutions Inc. toll-free at 1-866-298-7222.

NWT posts strong financial results for first quarter

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The board of directors of North West Terminal Ltd. is pleased to announce positive financial results for the company after its first three months of operations in 2013-14.

For the period beginning Nov. 1, 2013 and ending Jan. 31, 2014, NWT posted revenues from consolidated operations of $25.6 million and an EBITDA of $2,501,111 (unaudited). This resulted in a net profit of $1,192,218, or 36 cents per share.

The financial performance of the company is slightly behind the same period last year when the company posted revenues from operations of $43.5 million, an EBITDA of $2,540,192 and a new profit of $1,309,765, or 40 cents per share. Management reported earnings were down from the previous year primarily because of reduced margins due to vessel demurrage charges associated with rail shipping delays for the grains division and higher feed stock costs for the bio-products division.

“The board of directors is pleased with the company’s performance,” says NWT’s president John Leier. “The grain industry faced unprecedented challenges over the winter months given the delays experienced in rail shipping. We have seen higher costs and reduced margins as a result of vessel demurrage and contract delay penalties that are impacting the bottom line. We are hopeful that new government regulations will include reciprocal penalties for the railways and a reasonable level of service for customers shipping grain.” Leier farms near Denzil.

NWT is an independent farmer-shareholder owner company headquartered near Unity, Saskatchewan. NWT owns and operates an inland grain terminal and a bio-products manufacturing facility at its Unity SK location.

North West Terminal, Unity, SK

Grain transportation impacts local businesses

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How have the grain transportation issues affected you? Please comment!

A simple drive down area grid roads will give you a good indication of the impact of the shortage in allocation of rail cars for grain. Even when still covered with snow or blending into the surrounding snowy landscape, long raised ridges reveal the presence of grain storage bags in many fields.

With bins still full from last year’s record crop, if farmers can’t make deliveries to terminals, they have nowhere else to put the grain.

North West Terminal CEO Jason Skinner said it was in December the rail car allocation began to drop. Comparing December 2013 to February 2014 with December 2012 to February 2012, the number of rail cars available has been “significantly” less.

North West Terminal, Unity, SKAs has been noted in numerous media reports on the issue, compounding the problem is the fact that demand to ship grain is high as a result of the record crops last year.

Skinner said the situation will definitely affect the bottom line for NWT. Like other grain companies, they are incurring demurrage costs and contract delay penalties. He also noted once shipping opportunities are lost, “you don’t get those back.”

The inability to deliver and sell grain affects cash flow for farmers and, with seeding time near and input bills coming up, the terminal gets many calls asking about the opportunity to deliver grain.

Senior editor Mark Szakonyi, based in Washington, D.C., covers railroads, U.S. transportation and trade policy, sourcing and ocean shipping for JOC.com. He reported NC president and CEO Claude Mongeau as describing the 2013-14 winter as “brutal and unusual.”

Mongeau also gave Szakonyi the following information on rail car issues in Canada: with extended cold periods over the winter, there was little opportunity for CN to make up delays; speeds had to be reduced by about 9 per cent; air brake systems malfunction in extreme cold, requiring trains to be shortened anywhere between 10 and 15 per cent.

With the railroads running shorter, slower trains, other businesses also have been affected. For example, Sifto Salt in Unity, SK, reports they have also been having trouble getting rail cars for shipping their bulk product.

How have the grain transportation issues affected you? Please comment!

Monday’s Press-Herald

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Whether you were or you weren’t at Celebrate Unity, 2014, in Unity, SK, you will get to see photos of all the smiling honourees in the March 17th issue of the Unity Wilkie Press-Herald.

Along with those pictures (the story was in the March 10th issue), you will find:

  • information from a workshop on parenting in the digital age and an invitation to upcoming sessions;
  • a photo of some of our volunteer firefighters with their new fire rescue truck;
  • an extensive update on the hockey season for all area minor hockey teams; and
  • photos from the Unity Skating Club Carnival – At the Movies;

Unity Skating Club

The March 17th issue is also our annual salute to agriculture, with pages of ag-specific information, together with good wishes to local farmers from area businesses.

NWT posts profitable financial results for 2013

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 The board of directors of North West Terminal Ltd. is pleased to announce positive financial results for the company following operations in 2012-13. For the period beginning Nov. 1, 1012 and ending Oct. 31, 2013, NWT posted net revenues from consolidated operations of $133.5 million and an EBITDA of $9,136,654. This resulted in a net profit of $4,762,492, or $1.45 per share.

The financial performance of the company is behind the same period last year when the company posted revenues from operations of $132.7 million, an EBITDA of $11,422,627 and a net profit of $5,329,571, or $1.63 per share. Management reported earnings were down from the previous year primarily because of reduced shipping and tighter margins in both the grain and bio-products divisions. The overall reduction in profits was offset by dividends from investments and revenue from a leasing arrangement for the purposes of transloading crude oil.

“The board of directors is very pleased with the company’s financial performance,” says NWT’s President John Leier. “It should be noted that these results are for the past fiscal year. We are finding the current year somewhat more challenging with all the shipping delays that are being experienced. NWT continues to work hard on adding value and improving service for farmers from this region of the province. That is one of the major advantages of being a locally owned company as this is our primary focus.” Leier farms near Denzil.

North West Terminal

NWT is an independent farmer-shareholder owned company headquartered near Unity. It owns and operates an inland grain terminal and a bio-production facility at its Unity location.