From left to right, these photos show plots were the water hardness is 120 ppm, 400 ppm, then 1200 ppm. Glyphosate has been applied at 2/3 of label rate. Water hardness can take the edge off weed control.

Les Henry: Water quality and herbicides

You know your herbicides. But what’s in the other 999 gallons you put in the tank?

As we gear up to fill the sprayer and begin killing weeds maybe we should take another look at what is in the other 999 gallons in the sprayer. It is well known that the water should be clean with no silt or debris present, but this piece deals with the dissolved “goodies” you cannot […] Read more



The component parts of soil are normally called clay, silt and sand.

What’s in the ground under your crop?

What is half air by volume, 50 per cent oxygen by weight, and has the capacity to grow a crop?

Is it dirt, earth, mud, sand, clay, silt, muck? Yes, it’s all of these, but what really are Prairie soils made of? There are four basic types of Prairie soil: dark brown, black, dark grey and brown. Rainfall on these soils, the prime yield-limiting factor, ranges from around 11 to as much as 20 inches […] Read more

A background of hundred dollars scattered on the table.

Long-term U.S. successes, and blemishes

Adding U.S. stocks to your portfolio brings diversification and a chance to profit

Previously, I shared examples from my Canadian portfolio that contributed to long-term investment success. The Canadian market is just three per cent of the world market and isn’t very well diversified, with financial and resource companies dominating. This makes international diversification a key success component. My longest standing stock account is an RRSP. Many years […] Read more


Even though creating and implementing a visitor orientation takes a bit of work, it’s well worth the effort in order to protect the well-being of every person who visits your farm.

Build safety for your on-farm visitors

On farms across the country, there’s no shortage of visitors coming and going throughout the year. Visiting a farm isn’t without risk. Any time people are in a situation where they could be in contact with animals, farm equipment, or other hazards like water, there is potential for injury. While many farm operations are accustomed […] Read more

The Index of Wheat on The Screen.

What moves grain futures and cash markets?

Fundamentals and futures are the underlying structure. Then add on speculators


In the next few columns, I’ll review what makes futures and cash grain markets move. I’ll touch on fundamentals, futures markets, technical and speculation. Then I’ll throw in some tariff and trade issues and add a little political mayhem, in hopes of trying to make sense of how markets act and react. Market action starts […] Read more


Farmer in tractor preparing farmland with seedbed for the next year

Toban Dyck: Preparing for a new crop season

All grain farmers know that early spring antsy, “ready to seed” feeling

It’s as though a switch was flicked. It happens every year. The winter meeting season is busy and consuming. Then it ends, the snow begins to melt and you find yourself looking over your farmyard with a zeal for the upcoming growing season that you may not have had the day before. I woke up […] Read more

Many dairy producers wonder how to save on feed costs without sacrificing milk and milkfat production.

A cost-effective diet for dairy cows

Dairy Corner: Feed and yardage costs add up, but production is optimized

Most dairy producers want to feed cost-effective diets to their high milk- (milkfat) producing cows. That’s a tall order, which is most often achieved by obtaining the best lactation diets, first as a formula on paper and blended into a TMR, then put in front of the cows. Finally, it’s up to them to eat […] Read more


There is much ado about warming that is going to fry our crops and leave us begging for a cold day. But, I have news for the global warmers. – Les Henry

Les Henry: CO2, global climate and crop yields

It’s not all bad news: research shows higher yields from higher levels of CO2

About one year ago I began searching the scientific literature to determine the impact of increased carbon dioxide in our atmosphere on crop yields. It was a frustrating experience. Most of the articles seemed to have the pre-determined conclusion that CO2 was a villain rather than the major nutrient in all of our crops. A […] Read more

Red-backed cutworms.

Summer scouting timing: cutworms

Q & A with Nutrien Ag Solutions

Q: When and how should I scout for cutworms? A: With a new growing season upon us, growers must keep a watchful eye for pests in their fields. One early-season pest is cutworms. Cutworms have a ferocious appetite for young developing plants. They can be a problem in many western Canadian crops but canola is most susceptible […] Read more