Jason and Laura Kehler aren’t afraid to face new challenges and adopt innovative ideas, and that’s helped them earn the title of Manitoba’s 2016 Outstanding Young Farmers (OYF). They grow four varieties of processing potatoes, seed soybeans, corn, canola, wheat, oats, soybeans and edible beans on the 5,600 acres near Carman that makes up Kehler […] Read more
Outstanding Young Farmers Manitoba: Jason and Laura Kehler
A willingness to experiment brings success for Jason and Laura Kehler
Calculating land rental costs
Renting might be the right choice for your farm. But how much should you pay?
Calculating how much you can afford to pay for rented land takes a certain amount of work, and there may even be some cost involved if you bring in advisors to help, but it may help mitigate some of your risk and prevent you from biting off more than you can chew. There are various […] Read more
CTF benefits soil over time
Fencerow farming system increases corn yield and changes farmers’ soil biology
Fifteen years ago, when the bin-full alarm went off on Dean Glenney’s combine as he harvested his corn crop near Dunnville, Ontario, he had no idea what was going on, and he certainly didn’t expect the record yield of 236 bushels per acre he pulled off the field that season. Since then his yields have […] Read more
Solving problems with life insurance
Life insurance, combined with fixed value corporate shares can solve succession problems
This month, I asked the experts a very direct question: “Can my incorporated farm business pay my personal life insurance premiums?” The answer was reasonably clear: Certainly, your farm corporation can pay your personal insurance premiums, but in general you will pay personal income tax on the premium amounts because they are a personal benefit to you. […] Read more
Can tillage fit into a no-till system?
Some zero-tillers are now looking to tillage to manage disease and weed issues
A large majority of farmers in Western Canada have adopted zero-till systems — with the exception of those in the Red River Valley who are dealing with heavy, wet clay soils where tillage is just a fact of life. Most farmers understand the many benefits of zero till, such as prevention of soil erosion, better […] Read more
Grain Handling: A better way to move that corn
A pneumatic grain-handling system adds efficiency to grain handling on the family farm
The Neufelds have been growing corn on the family farm, Maple Creek Acres, since the 1990s, but when they decided to significantly expand their corn acres a few years ago they had a few issues to resolve in terms of corn drying and storing. “We were spending a bunch a time in the morning and […] Read more
Building up the soil in your fields
Changing your crop rotation and management can change the content of our soil
New research is showing that it is possible to make new, nutrient rich, productive soil on your farm without waiting for eons, simply by changing your crop rotation and management. The research, led by Dr. Stuart Grandy at the University of New Hampshire, is revising our conventional understanding of how soil organic matter (SOM) is […] Read more
How to plan your first cover crop
Before you choose a cover crop mix, make sure you know what you want it to do
Cover crops are becoming more popular. But how do you plan your first cover crop? The first part of the planning process is setting goals, says Kevin Elmy, owner of Friendly Acres Seed Farm at Saltcoats, Saskatchewan. Elmy has been growing cover crops for seven years and now grows and sells cover crop mixes. “With […] Read more
Drone image reveals best cutting day
Infrared aerial photo technology senses when alfalfa quality is prime
The Manitoba Forage and Grassland Association (MFGA) and M3 Aerial Productions are teaming up to investigate whether unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) — also known as drones — can be used to enhance the MFGA’s Green Gold Program, which provides producers with the best first-cut date for alfalfa crops. The MFGA offers the Green Gold program, which […] Read more
Good reasons to plant cover crops
Not organic? Don’t have cows? Cover crops could still be a fit on your farm
If you went to a workshop about cover crops 10 years ago you wouldn’t have had any trouble finding an empty seat. Today, producers pack these workshops. Word is spreading about the benefits that cover crops could bring to their farms. Cover crops provide many soil and production benefits: increased organic matter content, vibrant, working […] Read more
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
