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Livestock Producers Encouraged To Monitor Water Quality

Livestock producers are being reminded about checking and monitoring water quality in pastures.
 
Livestock and Feed Extension Specialist Natasha Wilkie says it's a good idea to get your water tested even if you don't think you have a problem.
 
“It doesn't matter if we have dugouts, if we have wells, if it looks clear, or if it's brown and mucky. There's contaminants in our water that will not show up and their present in all of those scenarios, trust me. I have seen clear well water come in and it's high in sulfates. Which is an issue that lots of us are aware of now which is a good thing because it does affect our animals, their weight gain, and their reproductive issues.”
 
Producers can bring water samples into Saskatchewan’s Ministry of Agriculture offices for free tests.
 
She notes it's also the time of year to monitor dugouts for blue-green algae blooms which can be toxic to livestock.
 
“You want to wear a glove and scoop that algae up. If it runs through your fingers and looks kind of more like pea soup, and you just have a few green bits on your fingers. Then it could be blue-green algae. And when you're just looking out at the water body in general, it's going to have like a shimmering blue-green color to it. It could also have a foamy or sheen like appearance to it that kind of looks like spilled paint sitting on top of the water.”
 
If you find a problem you should remove the livestock or fence the dugout off and treat it with a registered copper sulfate product, as the algae can be a major problem and even lead to animal death.
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Agricultural Market Update: Grain Prices, Crop Conditions, and Weather Impacts

Welcome back to our channel where we provide comprehensive updates on the latest trends and changes in the agricultural sector. This week, we're looking at significant movements in grain prices, crop conditions, and the effects of weather patterns. Let's dive into the details:

Grain Price Decline Grain prices have fallen to their lowest levels since 2020, with December corn down 4.3% and November soybeans losing 3.1%. This decline is partly due to the beneficial moisture brought by Hurricane Beryl to the Midwest, which has improved crop conditions significantly. The USDA reported that corn and soybean crops are in their best condition in four years, contributing to the downward pressure on prices.

Record Short Positions and Market Sentiment Fund traders have increased their net short positions in the corn market to a record level, with a net short of 347,000 contracts of corn. This reflects a bearish sentiment in the market, further influencing grain price dynamics. Similar selling trends were observed in soybeans and SRW wheat, indicating broad market caution.

Weather Impact and Forecast Hurricane Beryl has brought significant rainfall across Arkansas, Missouri, western Tennessee, western Kentucky, and southern Illinois, with more expected over Missouri, Illinois, and Indiana in the coming days. Despite this, the market is currently more focused on the moisture benefits rather than potential heat risks forecasted in the 6-10 and 8-14 day periods.

US Crop Conditions Corn and soybean conditions have shown slight improvements last week, with corn rated 68% good to excellent and soybeans at 68%. These are among the best ratings for this time of year since 2020, suggesting robust crop health that could continue to influence grain prices.

Winter Wheat Harvest and Spring Wheat Conditions The US winter wheat harvest is progressing well, ahead of schedule with significant portions already harvested in Kansas and Texas. Spring wheat conditions are also favorable, with 75% rated good to excellent, although there have been some declines in states like Idaho, South Dakota, and Washington. Brazil's Corn Harvest and US Exports Brazil's second corn crop harvest is advancing rapidly due to favorable hot and dry conditions, with 63% of the crop already harvested. Meanwhile, US corn shipments saw a substantial increase last week, indicating strong export demand, which contrasts with the recent drop in domestic grain prices.

Ongoing Developments Lastly, the USDA reported a flash sale of corn, with significant quantities sold to unknown destinations, scheduled for delivery over the next two marketing years. This could signal ongoing international demand for US corn despite lower prices.

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