Desiccants are designed to quickly dry down the crop, as well as any green weedy material growing in the crop that might otherwise hamper harvesting operations. “It’s a common misconception that herbicides put on prior to harvest, whether it’s a desiccant or something like glyphosate, will hasten maturity — which is not the case,” says […] Read more
Don’t use desiccants to hasten maturity
Improved water system benefits beef operation
Developing an environmental farm plan introduced this farmer to management changes which have improved his overall operation
A chance conversation with one of the men helping him round up his 1,400 head of cattle first got Rob Purdie interested in an environmental farm plan (EFP). Purdie, a central Alberta beef producer, was hauling water to the herd at the time, and the helper suggested he look into pumping instead. Partial funding was […] Read moreSix steps to safe insecticide use
Insecticides are some of the most toxic chemicals used on Prairie farms. Remind yourself or someone you love about these 6 steps to insecticide safety
Some farmers may never spray an insecticide. Others may spray for grasshoppers or flea beetles in an emerging crop, but later season pests such as bertha armyworm, diamondback moth or aphids are often aerially sprayed. “There is not a lot of focus on insecticides generally because they are not used every year as herbicides are,” […] Read moreThe weevils are coming
The cabbage seedpod weevil is edging closer to Maniboba’s southwestern border. However, the insect, which is now a chronic pest in the southern parts of Alberta and Saskatchewan, has not moved into more northern areas of these provinces, and may not fare well in the longer, colder winter conditions of southern Manitoba. The cabbage seedpod […] Read more
Try bait to sample wireworms
Wireworms may be lurking in the ground beneath your feet. Learn how to recognize wireworm damage and use bait to get a good sample
Wireworms are omnipresent insect pests that can attack many different crops including annual and perennial grasses, wheat, barley, corn and potatoes. They are becoming increasingly problematic, especially in areas where grassland or pasture has been broken up for cropping, due to their long life cycle and the lack of effective control methods. Wireworm life cycles Perpetual populations of […] Read moreSix steps for calculating pasture carrying capacity
Calculating the correct carrying capacity of a pasture will help you stock to a level that maintains the health and productivity of both your land and animals. Following are six steps for calculating carrying capacity. 1. Sample Taking samples of forage in the field is the first step in calculating the capacity of the pasture. […] Read more
Try bait to sample wireworms
Wireworms may be lurking in the ground beneath your feet. Learn how to recognize wireworm damage and use bait to get a good sample
Wireworms are omnipresent insect pests that can attack many different crops including annual and perennial grasses, wheat, barley, corn and potatoes. They are becoming increasingly problematic, especially in areas where grassland or pasture has been broken up for cropping, due to their long life cycle and the lack of effective control methods. Wireworm life cycles Perpetual populations of […] Read moreImproved water system benefits beef operation
Developing an environmental farm plan introduced this farmer to management changes which have improved his overall operation
A chance conversation with one of the men helping him round up his 1,400 head of cattle first got Rob Purdie interested in an environmental farm plan (EFP). Purdie, a central Alberta beef producer, was hauling water to the herd at the time, and the helper suggested he look into pumping instead. Partial funding was […] Read moreSix steps to safe insecticide use
Insecticides are some of the most toxic chemicals used on Prairie farms. Remind yourself or someone you love about these 6 steps to insecticide safety
Some farmers may never spray an insecticide. Others may spray for grasshoppers or flea beetles in an emerging crop, but later season pests such as bertha armyworm, diamondback moth or aphids are often aerially sprayed. “There is not a lot of focus on insecticides generally because they are not used every year as herbicides are,” […] Read moreThe weevils are coming
The cabbage seedpod weevil is edging closer to Maniboba’s southwestern border. However, the insect, which is now a chronic pest in the southern parts of Alberta and Saskatchewan, has not moved into more northern areas of these provinces, and may not fare well in the longer, colder winter conditions of southern Manitoba. The cabbage seedpod […] Read more
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
