Soybeans are efficient feeders for soil phosphorus (P) and in most cases growers are not going to see an increase in yield from additional P fertilization, regardless of the soil test P, according to research trials in Manitoba and Saskatchewan. Since 2013, Dr. Don Flaten and Gustavo Bardella of the University of Manitoba, together with […] Read more
Do soybeans need phosphorus?
Phosphorus fertilizer won’t increase soybean yield, but good strategies can maintain fertility
Should I buy or lease that combine?
Angela Lovell asks the experts if buying or leasing is best for new equipment purchases
Should I lease or buy my next combine? Ask most people why they want to lease equipment and they’ll say “for tax purposes.” But that’s not the best reason for leasing, say the experts. “If you’re leasing a combine for $10,000 a year, you get an annual write-off of the full $10,000 a year over […] Read more
Pulse acres on the rise this spring
High prices are driving higher interest in planting peas and lentils this season
The Saskatchewan Pulse Growers Association (SPGA) predicts, in its January 2016 pulse outlook, that there will be a significant increase in pulse acres again this year, with lentils leading the charge. At least 4.46 million acres of lentils are expected to go in the ground this spring, with some market experts predicting it may go over […] Read more
Lentil genome sequenced, but more to do
Lentils have become a staple crop across the Prairies. Watch for new developments
At the University of Saskatchewan (U of S), researchers recently released the first draft version of the lentil genome as a result of a collaborative, international genome sequencing project involving researchers from around the globe. “The lentil genome assembly will provide important information to help us better understand this crop,” said Kirstin Bett, U of […] Read more
Specialty oats take extra patience
Growing gluten-free oats can pay a premium, but it takes extra time and planning
There are more and more gluten-free products on store shelves these days, which is good news for Zenneth Faye’s two daughters. Their intolerance to gluten was a factor in their father’s decision to look at growing gluten-free oats three years ago on his farm near Foam Lake, Saskatchewan. Faye also had a piece of land […] Read more
New pulse crop varieties for 2016
These new pulse varieties are hitting the market for the first time this spring
Still looking for a way to get into pulses this spring? Here is a roundup of new pulse varieties. This list is adapted from reports by Donna Fleury and Bruce Baker, prepared for the Saskatchewan Pulse Growers Association, with information also from the Manitoba Pulse & Soybean Growers 2015 Variety Evaluation Trials. Yellow Peas The […] Read more
New RFID tech improves livestock tag readers
New system works at greater distance and can read groups of animals
Researchers at SAIT Polytechnic in Calgary have developed a new Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) system using Ultra-High Frequency (UHF) tags that will make it easier and faster to track and trace cattle at every stage of their movement from the farm to the processing plant. With the new system, animals do not need to go […] Read more
Five keys to successful oat production
Here’s the lowdown on five of the key factors behind growing a winning oat crop this year
Oats is a small-acre crop that has tended to fall behind in terms of agronomy research. That’s changing as more oat varieties become available and new niche markets continue to develop and offer premiums to growers meeting their specifications. For anyone trying oats for the first time, or considering adding oats to their rotation, Grainews […] Read more
New oat varieties on the horizon
New oat varieties focus on yield, milling quality and oat disease resistance
Since 2011 there has been an increase in the frequency of registration of new oat varieties, says Dr. Aaron Beattie, professor and oat breeder at the University of Saskatchewan’s Crop Development Centre (CDC). Breeding programs continue to focus on increasing yields and improving disease resistance. They’re also trying to address the needs of millers who […] Read more
Oat acreage forecast up
Price and disease a big factor in pushing oat acres across the Prairies
Around 2.9 million acres of oats were planted across Canada in 2015 according to Statistics Canada, and although acres have been dropping over the past few years, oat production will likely be up by more than 10 per cent this spring to around 3.3 million tonnes. Last year, the majority of those acres were planted […] Read more
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