A mayfly on water. (SBTheGreenMan/iStock/Getty Images)

Federal reprieve for imidacloprid cuts its application rates

Proposal for near-total ban rejected in Health Canada's final decision

A member of the neonicotinoid family of insesticides and seed treatments has been pulled back from the brink of an all-out ban in Health Canada’s final re-evaluation ruling. Most agricultural uses of imidacloprid — sold by Bayer under brands such as Gaucho, Merit and Admire, and by Adama under brands such as Alias and Sombrero […] Read more

Mike Cowbrough is the weed management lead, field crops, with OMAFRA and co-curator of sprayers101.com. In the photo, Cowbrough shows his audience how mixing order can affect product compatibility in tank mixes.

Two more reasons to consider a jar test before tank mixing

It’s better to be safe than sorry when you combine multiple modes of action or include micronutrients in the tank

When tank mixing goes well, farmers can reduce the number of passes through their fields, saving equipment operating time and man-hours, reducing compaction and optimizing application timing. When tank mixing goes badly, however, the results can be disastrous. Because chemical companies won’t and, in fact, can’t test their products with every possible mixing option, making […] Read more


A mayfly on water. (SBTheGreenMan/iStock/Getty Images)

Health Canada steps back from bans on two neonics

New limits, some cancellations to be put in place

A federal proposal to protect aquatic insect habitat by cancelling all registered outdoor uses for two popular ag insecticides has been walked back in a major way. Health Canada on Wednesday announced its special review decisions on the risks to aquatic bug life from the use of clothianidin and thiamethoxam, both pesticides and seed treatments […] Read more

Goodyear Super Single Low Sidewall technology tires on a John Deere 8R series tractor. With this tire setup, total contact area is increased to 3,644 inches from 2,368 inches, which means healthier soil from a compaction standpoint.

John Deere offers Goodyear Super Single LSW tires on 8R series tractors

The setup helps reduce soil compaction and increase yield

Titan International, manufacturer of Titan Tires, Titan Wheels, Goodyear Farm Tires and John Deere have teamed up to offer Goodyear Super Single Low Sidewall (LSW) technology tires on another series of MFWD tractors. The tires can be ordered with John Deere’s 6000, 7000 and 9000 series MFWD tractors and its self-propelled sprayers and combines. Starting […] Read more


Weed-it is a modular precision-spraying system, which means the number of detection sensors required for your farm size can be fit to your sprayer. Detection sensors are spaced 40 inches apart and individually control four solenoids with a nozzle spacing of 10 inches.

New spot-spray technology in Canada

Weed-it can potentially save you money

Precision field-spraying technology developed in Europe and licensed to a well-established distributor in Australia is now available to farmers across Canada, with the promise to help reduce herbicide costs and perhaps equally, or more importantly, help farmers afford the fight against herbicide-resistant weeds. Weed-it, billed as the “world’s best-selling” camera-based, precision-spraying technology, has been demonstrated […] Read more

These farms have lots of items, all of which are depreciating. In addition, most items will be sitting idle for most of the year and not generating any profit for the farm.

Do you really need all that machinery on your farm?

Hidden profit robbers, Part 3: Unused machinery, too much diversification could be affecting your profitability

In this series of articles, I looked at various profit robbers on the farm and how to address them. In Part 1, I examined the biggest offender — machinery depreciation — and how sneaky it is, since it’s a hidden cost that doesn’t affect your cash flow. To minimize this cost, I suggested you consider […] Read more


Improperly cleaned spray booms create a V-shaped pattern of crop damage when starting a new field requiring a different herbicide.

How recirculating booms can help slow herbicide resistance

AGCO demonstrates value of new sprayer tech with crop tour

Just a few years ago, herbicide resistance in weeds was something that seemed like a distant concern, something occurring elsewhere; however, it should be no surprise to anyone that today the International Survey of Herbicide-Resistant Weeds, which is a collaborative effort between weed scientists in more than 80 countries, says that is no longer true. […] Read more



Since machinery is a depreciating asset, the author recommends minimizing that investment and maximizing investment in appreciating assets.

Depreciation and farm machinery, a rule of thumb

Hidden profit robbers, Part 1

In my farm financial talks, I usually ask, “What’s the biggest cost in owning any piece of machinery?” In this case, I’ve already given you the answer but surprisingly some people don’t seem to be aware of that. In my 16 years of consulting farmers, I’ve noticed the old expression “guys (and gals) love their […] Read more

At the 2016 edition of Canada’s Farm Progress Show in Regina, Sask., Salford first showed its concept air boom applicator.

New air boom applicator from Case IH

Case IH and Salford team up to offer another option for Titan floaters

In August, Case IH, in partnership with Salford Group, introduced the FA 1030 air boom applicator, which is now available directly through Case IH on the Titan 4540 floater. The company says this applicator is built to carry more product, improve productivity and deal with uneven field surfaces. By July 2021, Case IH expects to […] Read more