Columns & Production Tips

The high cost of buying stocks and bonds in a boom market

With financial prices rising, prudent investors need to be cautious in the marketplace

By Andrew Allentuck October 16, 2014

It is a paradox of off-farm investing that, as the U.S. economy strengthens and the Canadian economy gains speed, albeit sluggishly, buying stocks and bonds is getting to be harder, not easier. The reasons are, of course, that many other investors have already made their bets, bought the stocks they expect to rise, put money […] Read more

Columns, Crops, Soybeans

Taking notes makes farming easier

For someone that hasn’t been farming long, there are lots of things to remember. Notes can help

By Toban Dyck October 16, 2014

I play the fool sometimes, to illustrate the simpler yet important points of farming that an expert may no longer consider. And I’m guessing some of you, the ones who didn’t grow up with smartphones and GPS, need constant reminders of the potential efficiencies clipped to your belts. It was supposed to be too cold. […] Read more

Slow moving vechicle — SMV — on the road. Notice the triangular sign on the back left.

Wheat & Chaff

Move harvest equipment safely

By Canadian Agricultural Safety Association September 30, 2014

Every harvest, collisions between farm equipment and passenger vehicles result in expensive repairs, injuries and sadly even deaths. However, by taking time to discuss how to safely transport agricultural equipment, farmers and equipment operators can minimize the risk of a collision. Glen Blahey is a Health and Safety Specialist with CASA. “There are three common […] Read more

Columns

Slash your tax bill by transferring the farm

Resigned to quit, a farming couple makes a plan  to slash taxes and hand the operation to their children

By Andrew Allentuck September 25, 2014

In south central Manitoba, a couple we’ll call Harry and Marge, 81 and 73, are tackling the problem of transferring their 1,760 acre farm, mostly pasture, and their 120 cattle, to their children who we’ll call Bob, 46, and Cathy, 42. Harry and Marge know they have to give up control sooner or later, given […] Read more

Potatoes, Wheat & Chaff

Minimize potato bruising

Simple adjustments to your harvest equipment helps maintain good quality potatoes

By Susan Ainsworth September 18, 2014

As a potato producer, the first thought on your mind at harvest is probably “Go!” But this year, you might want to modify this idea slightly to “Go gently.” Challenging planting conditions caused above-average levels of seed-piece decay in some growing regions, resulting in uneven plant stands. And that means a challenging harvest, given the […] Read more

One of the challenges is to identify if the weed growing in your pasture or hayland is poisonous water hemlock (shown here) or harmless water parsnip (shown below). These plates show one difference, in the bracts found below the seed head. If still in doubt, it may be wise to consult a weed or forage specialist.

Cattleman’s Corner, Columns

Don’t take water hemlock for granted

By Debbie Chikousky September 12, 2014

Water hemlock is popping up all over this summer. The fact that this weed is spreading on high ground had us hopeful any new growth we saw might be the harmless cow parsnips. However, the weed specialist confirmed the new growth as water hemlock on all our hayfields, now there is more than a little cause for concern. Control is now […] Read more

Columns, Crops

Henry: A word about micronutrients

With lower commodity prices, it’s back to “buyer beware” in the micronutrient market

By Les Henry September 12, 2014

Depending on the textbook you read and the plant you are growing it takes from 16 to 20 chemical elements to grow a crop. And, a nutrient required in even the most minute quantity can put the lid on yield just as much as a nitrogen deficiency. In Henry’s Handbook of Soils and Crops I […] Read more

Rye deserves its bad reputation for volunteering, sometimes three or four years after it's grown. One tool to deal with these volunteers is a good sense of humour.

Cereals, Columns

Rye, oh rye: the second part

Two new hybrid varieties, ergot research and some all-too willing volunteers

By Sarah Weigum September 10, 2014

My last column on fall rye yielded a surprising amount of positive feedback from readers, so I’m plunging ahead with Part 2. Last month I discussed some agronomics and some niche marketing opportunities with fall rye. This issue I’m discussing new research on an old crop and what to do about those persistent rye volunteers. […] Read more

Beef Cattle, Cattleman’s Corner, Columns, Livestock, Weather

More lameness forecast for the rest of the pasture season

By Peter Vitti September 8, 2014

Excessively wet weather followed by hot dry days is the norm during this year’s grazing season, at least in some parts of the Prairies, and will likely continue until weaning time. That means many cow herds are often forced to stand on soggy ground, in puddles or in mud for days and as the ground […] Read more

Wheat & Chaff

Refuelling farm machinery safely

By Canadian Agricultural Safety Association September 4, 2014

Tractors, combines and grain trucks are just a few of the machines farmers rely on to get the job done. These machines need fuel and farm workers find themselves refueling machinery so often that it’s easy to become complacent. Both gasoline and diesel are extremely flammable and can cause explosions, so it’s important to pay […] Read more

Daily Network News

Southern California honeybees show resistance to varroa mites

Pulse Weekly: SaskPulse optimistic despite input, crop price concerns

Canadian aquaculture should be classed as agriculture, industry groups say