The amount of damage caused by cutworm feeding on canola seed-treated with an insecticide was measured. Manned aircraft were used to collect images on 90 acres. Field and data analysis was performed to develop relative density, and per cent cover maps were created to provide an objective estimate of cutworm damage.

How to use remote sensing for crops to its fullest potential

Images from drones and satellites can be part of a much bigger picture

Remote sensing tools can produce a lot of valuable information about what’s happening on farmland and within your crops, but the full potential has yet to be properly harnessed, says a north-central Alberta agronomist after studying the technology for a couple years. Satellite imagery, aerial photography and images captured by unmanned drones are all forms […] Read more


Wild oat is showing significant herbicide resistance, says Saskatchewan’s provincial weed control specialist.

What weed experts say you should have your eye on in 2020

A province-by-province look at what you need to know about weeds this growing season

Three provincial weed specialists offer their insights on the weeds farmers may find in their fields this growing season and what can be done about them. Manitoba Tammy Jones, a Manitoba Agriculture weed specialist, lists redroot pigweed, lamb’s quarters and green and yellow foxtail as the biggest weed threats this year. Winter annuals like stinkweed […] Read more

AAFC’s research station at Morden in southern Manitoba. (Manitoba Co-operator file photo by Allan Dawson)

COVID-19 threatens federal field research

Prairie cereals' commissions urge AAFC to follow example of universities, private researchers

COVID-19 threatens to sideline Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s (AAFC) field, greenhouse and laboratory research this year, but not if the Prairie wheat and barley commissions that help to fund it with farmer money have a say. AAFC has been sending “mixed messages” about its plans, Pam de Rocquigny, general manager of the Manitoba Wheat and […] Read more


(Dave Bedard photo)

Tighter canola stocks, more wheat in updated ag department tables

MarketsFarm — Updated supply/demand tables released by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada on Wednesday include only minor adjustments to stocks and usage numbers, with slightly tighter canola ending stocks and a small increase in wheat supplies. Canola ending stocks for 2020-21 are forecast at 2.7 million tonnes in the updated tables. That would be down from […] Read more

Construction presses on at Roquette’s pea-processing plant at Portage la Prairie, Man. (Roquette photo)

Pulse weekly outlook: Manitoba pea plant construction continues

MarketsFarm — Work continues on Roquette’s pea processing plant at Portage la Prairie, Man., where the French plant-protein firm says measures have been taken to meet health and safety regulations regarding the COVID-19 pandemic. “Beginning in early March we proactively started collaborating with contractors on COVID-19 prevention measures, such as increased cleaning of communal spaces […] Read more


Pre-seed weed control is important this spring

Pre-seed weed control is important this spring

Weed control will be a different challenge this year. With little fall weed control and good moisture, fields will have an abundance of overwintered annuals, such as cleavers, flixweed, narrow-leaved hawk’s beard and volunteer canola, alongside spring emergence of other annual and perennial weeds. These overwintered annuals are a particular challenge as they are often […] Read more

(Dave Bedard photo)

Bunge to sell 35 U.S. elevators to Zen-Noh Grain

Chicago | Reuters — Agricultural commodities trader Bunge said on Tuesday it will sell 35 of its interior U.S. grain elevators to Zen-Noh Grain, dramatically reducing its grain origination network in the United States. Financial details of the sale with the subsidiary of Japan’s Zen-Noh Group were not disclosed, and the deal is subject to […] Read more


Waterhemp.

Watch for expansion of waterhemp, Palmer amaranth and kochia in 2020

Serious weed threats continue to advance and grow, farmers urged to test for resistance

For growers in Manitoba, waterhemp is a serious threat in 2020, reports Tammy Jones, a Manitoba Agriculture weed specialist. This weed was present last year in both eastern and central Manitoba, and Jones’ “biggest fear” is that more will be found in the province this year. And, as reported by Canola Council of Canada (CCC), […] Read more

(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)

AgriStability deadline extended for 2020

Income stabilization plan's latest enrolment date stretched nine weeks

The federal government and provinces have agreed to spot farmers nine extra weeks to enroll in AgriStability for the 2020 program year. The governments on Friday announced the AgriStability enrolment deadline for 2020, previously April 30, has been extended without penalty to July 3. The decision by Ottawa, the provinces and territories “will enable the […] Read more