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By Alice McFarlane

Agriculture Roundup

Agriculture Roundup for Wednesday October 2, 2019

Oct 2, 2019 | 10:04 AM

Farmers in western Canada reported scattered but damaging storms.

Canadian Crop Hail Association (CCHA) said there was golf-ball sized hail with heavy rain reported from Sept. 20 to 25. There are still claims coming in from damaging storms on Sept. 17 and 18.

CCHA member companies are investigating more than 700 claims of hail damage to all crops in Saskatchewan, Alberta and Manitoba during the time period.

Murray Bantle with Cooperative Hail Insurance Company said the late fall storm system was wide and mainly tracked south of the Trans-Canada Highway. It damaged cereals, oilseeds, pulses, corn and other specialty crops.

Tyson Ryhorchuk of Rain and Hail Insurance Service said the rain is slowing investigations. He said producers need to be patient as the recent heavy rainfall delayed the speed in which adjusters can investigate claims.

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Farmers need to leave a check strip for crop damage that is at least 20 by 30 feet in the four corners and in the middle of the field.

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Saskatchewan feeder cattle prices improved last week. Higher prices were reported in all weight categories.

Canfax reports the average price for 600 to 700 pound steers was $207.13 per hundredweight (cwt). That’s an increase of $3.46 from the previous week. The largest price gain was reported in the 800 to 900 pound weight category.

The biggest gains in the heifer category were reported in the lower weight classes. The 600 to 700 pound heifer class increased by $5.04.

Prices for liveweight, non-fed cattle in Alberta were mixed from the previous week.

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Saskatoon is hosting a lucrative agricultural competition.

Ten companies are competing for $1.25 million (U.S.) in prizes at the Nutrien Radicle Challenge.

Four companies will be in the growth stage competition worth $1 million. Another four will be in the start-up competition vying for $250,000.

The companies are making their pitch presentations with the winner being announced today.

The sponsors are Nutrien, the worlds largest producer of potash and Radicle Growth, a San Diego based fund that invests in agtech and food companies.

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alice.mcfarlane@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @AliceMcF