Happy New Year! I hope your holidays were cheery and restful. Enjoying the mild temperatures on the local outdoor rink with my future NHLers was a highlight of mine.

The other day we finished selling all of our barley and I’m pleased to say our good land went 106 bu/ac and poorer land went 82 bu/ac. Having lost 10% or more from excessive rain, we are not complaining! We’ve yet to haul in the remaining 75% of our canola but our averages look promising there as well. People ask if CTF is working for us and all I have to say is that we’re definitely on the right, um, track.

Some interesting news on the post-CWB front are the basis levels for new crop wheat. It’s interesting to note that basis levels are roughly $0.80/bu for new crop wheat where CWB basis levels have been $1.38/bu historically. That means the former middle man cost us $0.58/bu to market our grain. To some of my clients that’s over $100,000 year in wheat marketing costs alone. Let’s turn the page on that chapter.

This week we’ll discuss growing CPS versus HRS wheat in 2012 with tips on CPS wheat production. Next, we’ll look into crop options for 2012 with the top five most profitable crops to grow this year. Last we’ll look into boosting wheat proteins with liquid urea given the protein premiums offered for new crop wheat. We’ll finish with fundamental and technical grain market news.

Thanks for joining me for Volume 7 of Beyond Agronomy News. I anticipate a great year ahead.