The Ference’s focus is to “work smarter and do more with less,” believing that diversity in many agriculture sectors is important to allow for success and part of their succession planning.

Outstanding Young Farmers awards go to Alberta and Ontario

Diversified farming operations receive national recognition

Two completely different, but well-managed mixed farming operations in Alberta and Ontario were named as Canada’s Outstanding Young Farmers (OYF) in early December at the OYF national awards competition in Winnipeg, Man. After winning regional nominations in their home provinces, Craig and Jinel Ference of Double F Farms near Kirriemuir, Alta., and brothers, Jordan and […] Read more

When you look at a partially lodged field why does the cereal crop lodge in the low spots but not on the higher, better drained spots?

Why did my cereal crop lodge?

Practical Research: Was it disease? Too much nitrogen? Or was it a copper deficiency in your soil?

This year, 2018, was the year of the lodged crop on the Canadian Prairies. Back in early September, the weather turned cold and much of the Prairies were covered repeatedly with heavy wet snow. In the northern half of the Prairies up to 80 per cent of the crops were yet to be harvested. Fortunately, […] Read more


The biggest controllable loss every year on grain farms is grain spoilage in the bin.

Watch what’s in your grain bin

Now that you've got your crop in the bin, lower your risks by keeping an eye on it

The mood at the Agri Trade show in Red Deer in early November ranged from relief that harvest was done, to disappointment that harvest wasn’t finished, or was a poor-quality crop. Meeting with colleagues, neighbours and friends at Agri Trade is a good way for many to discuss and work through harvest stress, blow off […] Read more



Fall rye flowering near Deerwood, Man. on June 7, 2018. (Allan Dawson photo)

Quebec rye production on the rise

CNS Canada — Rye production was up in Quebec in 2018, one reason being producers supplying hybrid rye for feed to the province’s hog industry. “Feed was coming from out west, but now we’re starting to produce the seed itself here,” said Andre Lussier, who farms near St. Hyacinthe, Que. and is a director with […] Read more

New cereal seed varieties for 2019

New cereal seed varieties for 2019

There are 19 new cereal varieties on the market for western Canadian growers this year

With 19 new varieties to choose from, western Canadian growers will be spoiled for choice in 2019. There are new corn hybrids, new wheat varieties in several categories, new two-row malt barley varieties, and even a new variety of spelt. Wheat CPSR Canadian Prairie Spring Red CANTERRA SEEDS: AAC Crossfield is a new semi-dwarf CPSR […] Read more


Managing longer crop rotations

Managing longer crop rotations

In Part 3 of a three-part series, these farmers with long rotations catch a few breaks in a tough year

This article is the last in a series looking at how three farmers manage longer crop rotations through the growing season. The original plan was to interview all three once they’d finished harvest. But, unsurprisingly, western Canadian weather has no respect for deadlines. All three farmers saw a wet September and two were still harvesting […] Read more

Rye prices as good as they’re going to get

CNS Canada — At more than $7 per bushel for rye in Western Canada, Cal Vandaele believes the price has topped off. “There’s been bids touching $8,” said Vandaele, of Vandaele Seed at Medora, Man., about 120 km southwest of Brandon, adding the price will decline over the winter. “When they start getting into these […] Read more


What’s up honey?

What’s up honey?

The truth about honeybees’ importance in North America. Hint: it’s less than you think

In the last few years the general public has been bombarded and brainwashed with the supposed tremendous importance of honeybees in North America. Let’s get down to the facts. First of all, honeybees can technically be classified as invasive pests since the honeybee, Aphis melifera, is not native to the Americas — or Australia or […] Read more

(Konoplytska/iStock/Getty Images)

Winter Cereals Manitoba now in on amalgamation plan

A possible union between four Manitoba commodity grower groups has a new fifth player on deck. Winter Cereals Manitoba Inc. (WCMI) announced Thursday its chair, Doug Martin, and director Allan Olinyk will join a steering committee made up of directors and staff from the Manitoba Corn Growers Association (MCGA), Manitoba Flax Growers Association (MFGA), National […] Read more