Columns & Production Tips

In this information age, the information is aging

Up-to-date research is out there, but not always readily or easily available to farmers

By Ross H. McKenzie January 16, 2024

I enjoy reading various agronomy- and soil-related extension information. Recently, I was reading an article from Alberta Grains’ newsletter The Growing Point on winter wheat production. At the end of the article was a link to a factsheet. That link took me to an Alberta Agriculture Agdex publication — which I wrote 16 years ago, […] Read more

Columns, Fruit/Vegetables

Vegetable crop production on the Prairies

Part 2 of a series on Prairie farm gardens

By Ieuan Evans January 15, 2024

At the countless farm sites I have visited over almost 50 years from coast to coast in Canada, from Newfoundland to Vancouver Island, I have come across outstanding crop growing innovations and excellent crops as well as abject crop failures. To deal logically with the extensive range of crops, I put them, as described previously, […] Read more

Wheat & Chaff

A new face, and new faces, for CASA

By Canadian Agricultural Safety Association January 15, 2024

The Canadian Agricultural Safety Association (CASA), which promotes safety and well-being in Canada’s agricultural sector, unveiled a fresh new look and announced the results of board elections during its recent annual general meeting. Two newly elected board members will play crucial roles in advancing the organization’s mission: CASA is pleased to welcome Shelley Kirychuk of […] Read more

ethanol production plant in western manitoba

Columns

Picks and shovels for the alternative energy industry

The dominant players in the biofuels sector today are the traditional grain handlers and processors

By Herman VanGenderen January 14, 2024

It’s said that the big money, in gold rushes of yore, wasn’t in the gold miners but in those who supplied the picks and shovels. Vendors of sins, booze and brothels also did well. With this issue we’ll have a look at companies that, while not wholly reliant on alternative energy, stand to benefit from […] Read more

Cattleman’s Corner, Columns, Rancher’s Diary

It’s been a wonderful visit

For years we've shared our lives with Grainews readers and they've done the same with us

By Heather Smith Thomas January 14, 2024

This will be my final Rancher’s Diary column. I was recently informed that with the current business changes at Grainews, my column will no longer be published, but I was graciously given the chance to say goodbye to my readers — many of whom have become personal friends over the years. I first became aware […] Read more

Columns, Farm Life, Weather

Snuff out the winter sniffles

Some easy movements can help relieve sinus congestion

By Kathlyn Hossack January 13, 2024

Winter is a season commonly associated with sniffles. Any way to get sinus relief is beneficial as we go through the coldest months. A common area of congestion is our sinus cavities, which take up space behind our cheekbones and brows. They are often a culprit behind headaches, facial pain, sniffly noses and sometimes even […] Read more

Columns, Editor's column, Wheat & Chaff

Editor’s Rant: The cure for success

By Dave Bedard January 13, 2024

If I were asked to choose a favourite old adage about farming, I’d make up any excuse to avoid doing so. If pressed further, I’d offer up a classic such as “The cure for high prices is high prices.” As adages go, that one has it all: a caution to make hay while the sun […] Read more

Columns, Crops

A new year, a new soil moisture map

Let's take a Prairie-wide view of soil moisture at freeze-up in 2023

By Les Henry January 12, 2024

To make a soil moisture map, you need to understand the soil moisture constants: saturation, field capacity, wilting point and plant-available water. Saturation (Sat) is when all soil pores are filled with water — in other words, the water table. Until recently we did not consider the water table to be high enough to provide […] Read more

Echinacea plants are a beautiful addition to the garden. As herbalists will tell you, echinacea is also an excellent natural remedy during cold and flu season and has many other uses.

Columns, Farm Life

The benefits of echinacea

They’re pretty to look at, but echinacea plants also have been used for centuries to produce herbal remedies for a host of ills

By Ted Meseyton January 4, 2024

Hey there and hi, y’all good people! Ted here and welcome to the program. This is the final Grainews issue for 2023. Are you into the Christmas spirit yet? Just as Rudolph is the most famous reindeer of all, according to a seasonal song, echinacea is famous for its contribution to helping humans stay well. No […] Read more

Cattleman’s Corner, Columns

Vet product licensing process needs improvement

Canada can miss out on products that take too long or cost too much to register

By Roy Lewis January 4, 2024

Having been both a licensed veterinary practitioner and worked in the pharmaceutical industry for several years, I have seen a few things about how the product-licensing process affects the production animal industry in Canada. While every situation is unique, the process can indirectly affect cost of production in some cases, while in others access is […] Read more

GFM Network News

U.S. livestock: Cattle extend gains on improving cash prices, packer demand

U.S. grains: Soy futures slide on China demand doubts

Spain probes whether swine fever outbreak was caused by lab leak