The western producer september 1, 2016

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THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2016

VOL. 94 | NO. 35 | $4.25

PED VACCINE APPROVED | P26

SERVING WESTERN CANADIAN FARM FAMILIES SINCE 1923

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WWW.PRODUCER.COM

OUR #HARVEST16 PHOTO CONTEST IS UNDERWAY. SEE WWW.PRODUCER.COM/HARVEST16 FOR DETAILS. Less canola

More durum

What was thought to be a bumper crop is starting to shrink. | Page 6

Analysts suggest more durum is coming than StatsCan indicates. | Page 15

AGRONOMY

Fungicide limited by steady rain BY ED WHITE WINNIPEG BUREAU

The growing season of 2016 has proven to be both the best and worst year to use fungicides on western Canadian crops. If fungicides could be applied effectively, many experts said they would have been perfect for the extreme disease risk many crops faced. But applying them effectively was difficult because of the steady string of rains. “It’s very difficult to get that fungicide down through that crop canopy once it has closed,” said Brett Flaten, a Saskatchewan Agriculture crop management adviser. “Often it was very unlikely to succeed.” Farmers across the West turned to fungicides and other crop protection products as crops grew and steady rains through June and into August created ideal disease conditions. Farmers with wheat worried about fusarium head blight (FHB). Sclerotinia was a huge risk in many crops including lentils, canola and sunflowers. SEE FUNGICIDE, PAGE 4

A full moon rises over the Richardson Pioneer grain elevator and service centre in Corrine, Sask., Aug. 18. |

u|xhHEEJBy00001pzYv.:; MICHAEL RAINE PHOTO

SEPTEMBER 1, 2016 Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to: Box 2500, Stn. Main, Saskatoon, SK. S7K 2C4

Clarity on size but not quality Industry estimates indicate a bumper crop is expected but protein levels are anyone’s guess BY BRIAN CROSS

Storm clouds have been a common sight above the prairie landscape this year, but there are no clouds on the horizon when it comes to grain movement, says the top executive with the Western Grain Elevator Association. So far, capacity at country elevators is good, space at west coast export terminals is within an acceptable range and railways have signalled that they are well-positioned to move what’s shaping up to be a near-record

prairie harvest. “Until we get signals that cause us concern … we’re feeling pretty good going into this crop year,” said WGEA executive director Wade Sobkowich. “Hopefully we get some good movement and we are able to take advantage of some blending opportunities to sell an average to good quality crop.” The prairie harvest is still in its early stages, but industry observers are expecting a bigger-than-average crop with average quality. SEE CROP QUALITY, PAGE 4

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LOW GRAIN STOCKS Grain stocks in country elevators as of mid-August were down across the Prairies compared to the same time in 2015. West coast terminal grain stocks were also down compared to 2015. Grain stocks at prairie country elevators as of Aug. 14 (000 tonnes) 5-year avg. 2015-16 2016-17 Alberta Saskatchewan Manitoba

612.2 1,041.6 405.2

700.9 1,165.3 455.5

443.5 829.6 375.4

Grain stocks at west coast terminals as of Aug. 14 (000 tonnes) 5-year avg. 2015-16 2016-17 West coast terminals

502.9

628.3

Source: Canadian Grain Commission | WP GRAPHIC

477.7

% change from last year -37% -29% -18% % change from last year -24%

The Western Producer is published in Saskatoon by Western Producer Publications, which is owned by GVIC Communications Corp. Publisher: Shaun Jessome Publications Mail Agreement No. 40069240

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