Agriculture Canada researcher Bob Blackshaw, right, with Univeristy of Alberta master’s student Mat Vercaigne talk to producers during a field day in Lethbridge on “forgotten” herbicides that can help manage resistance.

Old, new products deliver multi-modes of action

The challenge is to hit weeds with two or more active ingredients to reduce resistance

Old chemistry, new formulations, multiple modes of action — these are all elements farmers can include in their weed control toolbox heading into 2017, say weed researchers and crop protection specialists. One of the most important elements these days for either preventing or managing herbicide resistance in weeds is to approach control with multiple modes […] Read more

(Bruce Fritz photo courtesy ARS/USDA)

Manitoba sunflowers ready for harvest

CNS Canada — Most sunflower fields in southern Manitoba are ready for harvest, but the province first needs to see some drier weather. A handful of fields have seen some harvest activity already, “but the bulk is still to come,” said Ben Friesen, purchasing manager with Scoular Canada at Winkler, Man. “If the sun shines, […] Read more


Spotty showers allow some harvest progress, most areas still slow-going

Saskatchewan Crop Report for the week ending September 12

Rain slowed harvest in most areas of the province last week. The most progress was made in parts of the west-central and northeastern regions, where spotty rain showers allowed producers to continue working in the field for a day or two. Thirty-eight per cent of the crop has been combined and 38 per cent is […] Read more

(Bruce Fritz photo courtesy ARS/USDA)

Manitoba sunflowers take beating from storms

CNS Canada –– Manitoba crops have suffered an array of problems due to unfavourable weather this year, and sunflowers are no exception. “(Sunflower) crops would be looking really good if it wasn’t for the storms that have been rolling through Manitoba over the last few weeks,” said Troy Turner, agronomist with the National Sunflower Association […] Read more


(File photo)

Shallow roots potential concern for Manitoba sunflowers

Commodity News Service Canada – Sunflower crops in Manitoba are generally in good shape for this time of year, but excess moisture in the key growing areas have kept root systems shallow, which could create problems later in the season, according to an industry participant. It’s still relatively early for sunflowers, with diseases usually not setting in until […] Read more

SunOpta pressured by shareholders after sluggish sales

Reuters – Canadian organic food company SunOpta Inc, already under pressure from U.S. hedge fund Tourbillon Capital Partners LP, is being prodded by a second activist shareholder to explore the sale of all or part of the company, according to sources familiar with the matter. Canadian hedge fund West Face Capital, which pushed SNC-Lavalin to sell […] Read more


(Bruce Fritz photo courtesy ARS/USDA)

North American sunflowers looking good early

CNS Canada –– Sunflower crops in key growing regions of North America are in relatively good shape early in the season, according to reports. However, those good conditions have put some nearby pressure on values, with spot pricing expected to take some direction from the weather and acreage reports over the next few weeks. Sunflower […] Read more

(WeatherFarm.com/weather-maps)

Timing of rain ‘ideal’ for Prairie crops

CNS Canada — Well timed weekend rains across Western Canada have benefited germinating canola crops and soil conditions — but some areas could use more moisture, one weather and crop specialist says. “In terms of the timing of the rains, they’ve been pretty well ideal,” said Bruce Burnett of G3 Canada. Showers over the week […] Read more


Growers should only use an insecticide when an economic threshold for a pest is reached.

Don’t jump the gun on pest control

It’s never a good idea to overreact when you see insects on your crops because jumping the gun, and spraying if it’s not really necessary, can do more harm than good. “Seldom, if ever, do preventative insecticides actually pay us,” says Scott Meers, insect specialist with Alberta Agriculture and Forestry. “When we spray just to […] Read more

(Bruce Fritz photo courtesy ARS/USDA)

Sun shines on oil sunflowers in Manitoba

CNS Canada — Shifting price trends will see Manitoba farmers plant more oilseed sunflowers this year but less of the confectionary varieties, according to industry participants. Manitoba accounts for nearly all of Canada’s sunflower production, with Statistics Canada forecasting planted area in 2016 at 80,000 acres. That would compare with 100,000 acres the previous year. […] Read more