AgraSight Newsletter | May 3rd, 2021
An essential read covering developments in agribusiness, agroscience, & agrotech but not limited to.
This season has started early and it is probably a good thing we were hit with a snowstorm across most of central Canada a couple of weeks ago or some farmers would probably be done planting by now…
Seeding is arguably the most exciting time of the year, however, don’t get ahead of yourself... Like our friend David Chappellaz, agronomist for Thunder Seed Canada, we have been hearing lots of talk about planting soybeans already.
Highlights:
NDP Introduce Soil Health Bill
Federal Budget a Turning Point for Farmers
Hagie Tools Get More Deere
Markets
NDP Introduce Soil Health Bill
MP Alistar Macgregor introduced a private member’s bill to create a National Soil Health Strategy for Canada. The law vows to help fight food insecurity and support farmers.
What to expect
The suggested bill will help maintain, enhance, and rebuild the capacity of soils by encouraging farmers and other land users to use best practices. The bill will create the office of a national soil health Advocate and a “National Soil Conservation Week.”
National Soil Conservation Week already exists but the bill gives it federal recognition.
The strategy will also involve reporting requirements.
Comments from Alistar MacGregor
Healthy soils are the foundation of sustainable food production, enhanced biodiversity, and cleaner air and water for present and future generations,” said MacGregor in a statement.
Farmers are on the front line of the fight against climate change — few feel the impacts of our ever-changing weather systems more than they do.
This bill is about ensuring they have the tools they need to keep doing their jobs to the best of their ability. When we support our farmers and food producers, Canadians see the benefits in healthy food and a safer, greener environment.
Federal Budget a Turning Point for Farmers
Ottawa is encouraging producers to adopt lower-carbon and climate-friendly practices and has allocated $270 million to do it.
As farmers transition to new production methods, they will be met with a level of risk and Federal agriculture minister Marie-Claude Bibeau said the funds acknowledge this.
This little added financial push could be the difference between having only a few dedicated farmers and a significant number making this transition because we would be kind of sharing the risk with them with this financial support. — Bibeau
Ottawa will be looking to expand their project Living Labs to get researchers and scientists in the field with farmers to ensure needs are met and encourage consistent progress.
Where is the money going?
$200 million will be available in the government’s 2021 budget for nitrogen, cover crop, and rotational grazing programs.
$60 million for a wetlands program.
$10 million for clean energy.
Farm organizations welcomed what many of them called unprecedented funding for agriculture.
The Western Canadian Wheat Growers Association described the budget as “not based in reality.”
Agrotech
Hagie Tools Get More Deere
The wait on the new Hagie sprayers is almost over for Canadian farmers as products will be readily available in about a month’s time. The new 2022 model possesses some substantial changes when compared to the history of Hagie machines but promise to keep their unique character.
The STS sprayer will feature a John Deere-inspired cab, molding Deere’s combines with a wide range of visibility for their massive up-front booms. When Deere purchased the remainder of the companies last year they boosted the STS model booms to 132 feet. In addition, Deere guidance systems were integrated into the Hagie sprayers.
With the help of Deere’s marketing and distribution, Hagie machines sales have been hiking.
2022 units are going to be brand new. All-wheel driving, powered by Deere’s Powertech 9L engine rated from 300 to 400 HP propelling the machines to a working speed of 25 MPH and a transport speed of 35 MPH.
STS-12 will equip the 300 HP version and a 1200 gallon tank
Model 16, a 400 HP engine and a 1600 gallon tank
Also at 400 HP the model 20 is equipped with a 2000 gallon tank and an additional turbo for some added bragging rights.
Comments from John Deere’s Application Marketing Manager Joel Basinger
They are pretty roomy and very comfortable. But that is what farmers are needing, because the acres keep getting bigger, with more passes up in Western Canada today than in the past, but not the (time) to get them done.
These machines are Hagie. But they have a lot of Deere’s best stuff in them.
Ag Action Quick Bites
— Canadian farmers will plant approximately 21.5 million acres of canola this spring, up nearly 750,000 acres from last year, according to Statistics Canada’s annual planting intentions report released April 27.
— Viterra has confirmed it will build a canola crushing facility in Regina. The company announced the construction this morning, two weeks after buying land from the city. The plant will have a capacity of 2.5 million tonnes, making it the world’s largest integrated crush facility.
— This spring, the demand for french fries, tater tots, and other potato products is closer to normal. Contracted acres of potatoes for processing should climb in Canada, relative to 2019.
— Reuters reports that the world’s largest consumer of the commodity issued new guidelines on April 21 recommending that hog and poultry producers use less corn and soymeal in their rations.
Commodities
Quotes as of May 2nd, 2021, 11:30 pm
Disclaimer:
Information contained herein is believed to be accurate but is not guaranteed. AgraSight and information sources assume no responsibility or liability for any action taken as a result of any information or advice contained in these reports, and any action taken is solely at the liability and responsibility of the user.
Must Reads
Soybean Seed Depth in Dry Condition - Successful Farming
Farmers’ Favourite Phone Apps - Natalina Sents
Researchers Breed Barley for Climate Change - Michael Robin
Fertilizing Tips for Dry Soil if You Didn’t Apply Last Fall - Allan Dawson
“Quality is the best business plan.”
— John Lasseter