In canola, certain seed treatments have efficacy on flea beetles, cutworms, or both.

Before you place your seed order, consider this

Q & A with an expert

Q: What should I consider when choosing seed varieties for the next growing season? A: Seed-selling season seems to come earlier each year. Though it feels counterintuitive to buy next year’s seed before current crops are in the bin, logistics and contra- season seed production in South America make it necessary to start this process […] Read more

The Leguee Farms family members from left: Jake and Stephanie Leguee with their three children Asher, 8, Grayson, 5, and Tristan, 2; Russ and Sharon Leguee with Russ holding Bo, 2, (Amber and Erik’s son); Sarah Leguee ; and Erik and Amber Nikolejsin and their other two children Dax, 7, and Hazel, 4.

A glimpse into bright, young farming operations

From potatoes to cranberries, eggs to pork, beef to veal and millions of seeds — this is what these farmers do

Canada’s Outstanding Young Farmers will experience the hospitality of Quebec in late November as regional nominees and alumni gather in Laval for the national awards competition. Along with the seven OYF regional nominee farm families, about 200 alumni and guests from the program will attend the 43rd national awards event that runs Nov. 23-26. Nominees […] Read more


An entomologist with the University of Manitoba stresses that farmers can be proactive in protecting predator and parasitoid populations.

Predators and parasitoids – your bug buddies in the field

How to spot and protect beneficial bugs in your crops

When scouting for insects in your fields next year, it’s not only crop-devouring pests you should keep an eye out for. That’s because insect predators like ground beetles as well as parasitic wasps and flies can take a big chunk out of pest populations. “It’s important to recognize there are a lot of natural enemies […] Read more

(File photo by Dave Bedard)

Fund short position hits new record in ICE canola

Traders return to net long on soybeans

MarketsFarm — The net speculative short position in the ICE Futures canola market rose to its largest level ever recorded as fund traders put on fresh bearish bets and liquidated previously placed long positions, according to the latest Commitments of Traders report from the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC). As of Oct. 24, the […] Read more


ICE January 2024 canola with 20-, 50- and 100-day moving averages. (Barchart)

ICE weekly outlook: Canola pulling lower

Futures subject to 'financial gravity'

MarketsFarm — Canola futures on the Intercontinental Exchange kicked off the week of Oct. 23-27 with sharp losses, as the most heavily traded January contract busted through its support level of $700 per tonne. Among the reasons for canola’s steep fall, as David Derwin pointed out, were the better than average yields from this year’s […] Read more

(Dave Bedard photo)

Managed money adding to net short positions in canola

Canola at biggest net short position in months

MarketsFarm — Managed money fund traders remain bearish canola, growing the net short position in the ICE Futures market to the second largest level of the past year, according to the latest Commitments of Traders report from the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC). As of Oct. 17, the net managed money short position in […] Read more


ICE November 2023 canola with 20- and 50-day moving averages and January 2024 canola (black line). (Barchart)

ICE weekly outlook: Upside seen for canola prices

'Aggressive manipulation' seen as a factor

MarketsFarm — Early gains were followed by late losses on ICE Futures’ canola market during the week ended Wednesday. The November canola contract began the week at $704.60 per tonne before rising up to $725.80/tonne on Monday, then ending the week at $711.70. The January contract went in similar directions, starting at $710.10/tonne before moving […] Read more

Here is a soil core laid out for sampling. Soil samples collected for soil nutrient analyses should be placed in breathable bags. In this picture, soil moisture samples were being collected and placed in stainless steel containers to precisely determine soil moisture content.

The importance of soil testing after a season of drought

Develop sound, economical fertilizer plans for each crop and field

In my last article, I discussed concerns of herbicide residue carry-over after a season of drought. In this article, I will discuss the importance of soil testing for plant-available nutrients after a drier-than-normal growing season. Many farmers in the southern Prairies had below normal growing season rainfall, while some had almost no rain. The result […] Read more


(File photo by Dave Bedard)

Fund short position grows in canola

Funds shift to net short in CBOT soybeans

MarketsFarm — The managed money net short position in ICE canola futures continued to grow in early October as speculators liquidated long positions and put on new shorts, according to the latest Commitments of Traders report from the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC). As of Oct. 10, the net managed-money short position in canola […] Read more

Robert Misko with his children and grandchildren. From left to right: Courtney Misko, Robert Misko, Brittany Busch, Robbie Misko, Jaxon Busch (green shirt) and Torin Busch (blue shirt). Missing is Leifa Misko.

Lifelong learning on the Misko farm

Prairie Farms: Knowledge and efficiency are key for this Manitoba farm operation

The Prairie Farms feature is an ongoing series that highlights western Canadian producers and their farm operations. These producer and farm profiles will share the strategies, tips and experiences that have helped Prairie farmers be successful. Along with crop production strategies, this Q-and-A series will look at the personalities and lifestyles of farmers across Western […] Read more