Joe Dales's Blog (72)

The Crucial Role of Crop Commissions

In the intricate tapestry of Canadian agriculture, crop commissions play a vital yet often overlooked role. Based on the 2021 Census of Agriculture conducted by Statistics Canada, Alberta had close to 14,000 producers of grain and oilseeds. Growers benefit, both directly and indirectly, from the work of the commissions, but many growers are not aware of the wide range of work done by commissions on their behalf. Commissions fund primary research for continued industry innovation and growth, engage with growers to communicate beneficial practices, advocate for the benefit of farmers on issues and policies that affect the farming community, and engage with the public to combat misinformation. Crop Commissions Fund Important Primary Research One of the paramount functions of crop commissions is research and development. Through funding and research initiatives, they strive to enhance crop productivity, quality, and sustainability. This entails exploring innovative cultivation techniques

Map: April Brings Little Change in Prairie Drought Conditions

Drought across Western Canada was basically unchanged in April, despite areas of well above normal precipitation.  Released Thursday, the latest monthly update of the Canadian drought monitor showed 99% of Prairie agricultural lands impacted by abnormally dry or drought conditions as of the end of last month. This despite the fact swathes of the region saw upwards of 150% of normal April precipitation - in between pockets of precipitation of less than 60% of normal.    Areas of Western Canada did see huge amounts of rain this week, but that won’t be reflected until the release of the May drought monitor.  “Multi-year precipitation deficits remained the concern as very low snowpack was reported throughout much of Western Canada,” the monitor said.  In Alberta, long-term precipitation deficits did begin to improve in April in the heavily drought impacted areas in the south. To that end, there was a small reduction in severe, extreme, and exceptional drought west and north of Medicine

USDA Lowers Old-Crop US Wheat Stocks; Rebound Projected for 2024-25

The USDA lowered its 2023-24 US wheat ending stocks estimate from last month, but a rebound is projected for 2024-25. The USDA’s monthly supply-demand estimates on Friday - which also contained the first outlook for the new-crop marketing year – lowered projected 2023-24 US wheat ending stocks by 10 million bu from last month to 688 million, below the average trade guess of 695 million. Meanwhile, 2024-25 ending stocks were reported at a four-year high of 766 million bu, compared to the average trade estimate of 782 million. Wheat futures were trading more than 20 cents/bu higher this afternoon. The tightening in the old-crop ending stocks estimate was due to a higher export forecast, which was bumped up 10 million bu from last month to 720 million, still down from 759 million in 2022-23. On the new-crop side, US all wheat production for this year is projected at 1.858 billion bu, up 3% from last year on higher harvested acreage and yields. The all wheat yield is estimated at

2024 Ontario Beef Youth Alliance Tour

2024 Ontario Beef Youth Alliance Tour

Climate Change and Food Insecurity: How Can Canada Adapt?

Although Canada has abundant resources, its food and agriculture systems are uniquely influenced by its geography which spans a wide range of climate zones from mild to temperate and subarctic.