You never know what readers are thinking

Despite mention of canola, cheese, carrots and fish this is not a recipe

Once in a while I try to respond to the proverbial “mailbag” to acknowledge comments, updates and sometimes criticisms of my wide-ranging observations. So here are a few thoughts that readers shared, in no particular order: Clubroot reminder I had to tone this down a bit, but after a few articles I wrote on risk […] Read more

Les Henry: Peanut scrambles or problem solving?

We need agricultural research, but we also need to fund the right agricultural research

The need for ongoing programs of agricultural research to keep our industry functioning and profitable is without question. But how it is organized, how the money is spent and on what basis the money is allocated needs some discussion. Recently I have spent some time perusing the websites of various agricultural research funding organizations — […] Read more


The ag industry is driven by those who show up.

Toban Dyck: Get involved in the agricultural sector

Show up for the AGMs for the groups you’re funding. You won’t regret it


My room was on the fifth floor. I needed to get there. I was bushed (I sometimes say zonked, but I don’t know if that’s a word my family made up or if it’s in the dictionary). The elevator I needed to take was at the end of a long hallway, then to the right […] Read more

Check your soil for herbicide residue

Check your soil for herbicide residue

Learn how to conduct plant bioassays to detect potential herbicide residues in your soil

Plant bioassays are a simple, inexpensive, accurate and direct method of determining if it is safe to grow crops on land previously treated with known herbicides or on cropland or compost with an unknown history of herbicide use. A bioassay can detect if herbicide or chemical residues are present in the soil or compost at […] Read more



AgriStability program changes

These changes to AgriStability could benefit farmers joining or re-joining the program

Whether you’re in the AgriStability program or considering getting into the AgriStability program, it’s important that you understand a few program changes that have been made recently. First, a quick review of how the program works. In simple terms, AgriStability calculates your profit history, based on your income and your allowable expenses (this includes expenses […] Read more


Some of the crowd from the agriculture industry attending the Ag For Life event at the ATCO centre celebrating Agriculture Day in Canada.

Celebrating Agriculture Day with food

The important things you can learn at a free industry luncheon celebration

Well that was a party and a half. There I was on Canada’s Agriculture Day in mid-February at a Calgary luncheon table with Alberta Beef Producers, Alberta Pulse Growers and Alberta Dairy Producers. Talk about shoving, pushing, name calling and aggression. It wasn’t over any philosophy of who had the best source of food protein… […] Read more

Canadian Agricultural Safety Week celebrates Safe & Strong Farms

Canadian Agricultural Safety Week celebrates Safe & Strong Farms

2019’s Canadian Agricultural Safety Week 2019 runs from March 10 to 16. This March, the Canadian Agricultural Safety Association (CASA) is encouraging all Canadians to celebrate Safe & Strong Farms. Canadian Agricultural Safety Week (CASW) is an annual public campaign focusing on the importance of safe agriculture. Safe & Strong Farms: Build an AgSafe Canada […] Read more



Pam Bailey, chair and co-founder of Ag Women Manitoba farms with her husband and in-laws in Dacotah, Manitoba and is also a director with Manitoba Canola Growers.

Newly formed Manitoba network empowers women in agriculture

When asked about the importance of empowering women in agriculture, Pam Bailey’s response is simple: “Empowering women is always beneficial in every community, so why should agriculture be any different?” While strides have been made over the years to improve inclusivity in agriculture, it’s important to build on that momentum. Building women up in agriculture […] Read more