saline soils in Manitoba 2024

Shop smart when selecting seed for salt tolerance

Soil tests are recommended before deciding how best to manage salinity

Glacier FarmMedia — Producers in Saskatchewan and Manitoba are asking plenty of questions about how to manage salinity in their soil. Jeff Schoenau, a soil science professor with the University of Saskatchewan, is among those fielding questions, although he says the amount of visible salinity in his province is “normal” for April. “I think probably […] Read more

Ergot is best recognized in the field as black or dark purple sclerotia sticking out of a floret.

How a worldwide destructive cereal disease problem was solved in Alberta

In the story of ergot in wheat, barley and oats, the answer was simply 'copper'

When I was first hired by Alberta Agriculture as a diagnostic plant pathologist, I was told I would be primarily responsible for barley, oat, wheat and canola diseases. I was also asked to head up the provincial control program for bacterial ring rot of potato (BRR). The BRR program, run in partnership with the federal […] Read more


Some winterkill in winter wheat doesn’t necessarily mean the surviving crop is unsaleable

Conditions ripe for winter cereal wreck

Snow cover decline, temperature flux, pooling, freezing all potential problems

Glacier FarmMedia — Minimal snow cover, frigid temperatures in mid-January and above-average temperatures after that may have set the stage for winterkill in winter crops. The risk is high enough to cause concern among crop specialists. “The eastern Prairies are in a little bit better shape than (Saskatchewan and Alberta) but there’s huge swaths that […] Read more

Some of the seed storage at Barenbrug in the Netherlands.

An EU forage tour shows value of seed science

Farmers should make sure to take advantage of advances in forage varieties

I was given the unique opportunity to participate in a forage tour in the Netherlands and France hosted by Union Forage last August. This was a fantastic chance to see new developments but also to put boots on the ground and see what drives the forage industry in Europe and globally. It was reiterated over […] Read more


Reuben Stone broadcasts rye into his soybeans roughly four to five weeks before harvesting.

Shorter-season soybeans play host to rye

Broadcasting rye offers more harvest management options, healthier soils — and cattle feed

Glacier FarmMedia — Growers often fall into two categories: those who follow convention and those who set their own pace amid questions from others. Meet Reuben Stone. Operating a value-added farm business near Cobden, Ont., about 100 km northwest of Ottawa, Stone grows several specialty crops including peas and hemp, while servicing a growing cover […] Read more

As consumers run short of disposable income in 2024, it is expected there will be a reduced demand for beef.

USDA increases beef production forecasts

Market Update with Jerry Klassen: All factors suggest the winds of market change are beginning to blow

Alberta fed cattle prices during November were averaging $385/cwt on a dressed basis, down $5/cwt from 30 days earlier. Live prices f.o.b. feedlot in southern Alberta were quoted in the range of $228/cwt to $230/cwt, the lowest since May. The market has come under pressure as U.S. beef forecasts for the first half of 2024 […] 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

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


(Viterra.ca)

Canada books stronger August deliveries of most major grains

Wheat, canola up; barley, durum down

MarketsFarm — Deliveries of most major grains in Canada were higher in August than a year ago, according to Statistics Canada. The federal agency issued its monthly deliveries report on Tuesday, showing total deliveries last month came to 5.103 million tonnes, up nearly 15 per cent from the previous August. Wheat deliveries (excluding durum) tallied […] Read more