Random observations and opinions

Early-seeded crops often yield the best, but in many areas that doesn’t appear to be the case this year.

Early-seeded crops seem to have suffered more from the dry conditions at the beginning of the growing season.

Ultra-early seeding of wheat and durum has shown good results in research trials the past few years, but every growing season is a bit different.

The latest crop report from the Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture has maps showing crop ratings across the province.

Cereal crops and canola generally have lower ratings than peas and lentils.

The crop report also shows the largest area of short and very short topsoil moisture is now in northwest Saskatchewan whereas it had previously been in the southwest.

Prime Minister Mark Carney announced 50 per cent tariffs on Chinese steel this week, a response to the steel tariffs Canada faces when exporting to the U.S.

While the Canadian tariff action was widely applauded, analysts within agriculture worry about how China may respond.

China already has a 100 per cent tariff on Canadian canola oil, canola meal and peas.

These tariffs were a response to Canada’s 100 per cent tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles and batteries.

China is also still investigating the possibility of a tariff against Canadian canola seed. Australia recently signed a canola trade agreement with China.