John Beardsley's Blog – September 2009 Archive (1)

Weather Pattern Shift Could Bring Relief to Midwest Crops But Severe Storm Risks Grow

After weeks of intense heat across much of North America, a developing weather pattern change may bring cooler temperatures to parts of the Midwest and Canadian Prairies.

Could the Risk of Dry Weather and War Push Grain Prices Even Higher?

Grain markets rose on Black Sea tensions, U.S. Plains heat, and below-USDA corn and soybean yield forecasts, with August weather and trade key to future price direction

Ontario Spinach is a Relatively Small Crop for the Province

Spinach may be one of the healthiest vegetables in the produce aisle, but its production is concentrated in relatively few regions in Canada: Quebec and Ontario

Potato Data Project Targets Storage Losses

Cellar Insights has launched a new project that collects historical potato storage loss data to help develop better early-warning systems for spoilage risks.

Canada invests in Saskatchewan livestock processing capacity

The Canadian government has announced more than $10 million to support nine agricultural projects in Saskatchewan, including investments in two livestock processing businesses, Prairies Economic Development Canada announced. North 49 Foods Ltd. will receive funding to expand production and develop new export markets, while Prairie Meats Inc. will use its allocation to upgrade facilities to manufacture food for distribution across Saskatchewan and Canada. The funding was announced by Buckley Belanger, secretary of state for rural development, on behalf of Eleanor Olszewski, minister responsible for Prairies Economic Development Canada, alongside international trade minister Maninder Sidhu, at an event in Langham, Saskatchewan.