While the popular Environmental Farm Plan process in Western Canada has dropped off the radar to some extent, the program is still alive and well and of value in all Prairie provinces, say program officials. Prairie farmers and ranchers who over the past decade have completed Environmental Farm Plans (EFPs) consider them invaluable tools in […] Read more
Get with the plan, Stan! an EF plan that is
The role of copper in plant nutrition
Copper deficiency in soils has been correlated to lodging in cereal crops, mainly because copper is a nutrient involved in lignification or straw strength, which determines the standability of the plant. Low copper can also cause increased disease, increases in ergot and melanosis, twisted flag leaves and an increase of aborted seeds in the head. […] Read more
Make the grade with winter wheat
Just like spring wheat, winter wheat products end up in our bread, our animals or our cars. Each potential market has specific quality requirements, and in a freer marketing environment for western Canadian wheat, those end-user needs will be increasingly important. What do customers want? “I think grain companies are going to be reaching out […] Read more
Fertilizing winter wheat
Without soil test results, general recommendations for winter wheat suggest applying nitrogen (N) at a rate of 80 to 120 pounds per acre. Soil tests can give you a more accurate estimate as to the specific amount of fertilizer required for your particular field. But how to fertilize winter wheat is the million dollar question. Questions remain […] Read more
8 tips to reduce spray drift
These tips are adapted from information provided by Thomas Wolf, Research Scientist at AAFC, Saskatoon. 1. Check conditions Use an anemometer and compass to check wind speeds and direction. Spraying is best done when there is some wind and the operator can be sure that wind direction has stabilized. Low-drift nozzles allow for spraying in faster […] Read more
Diagnose 4 types of compaction problems
After last year’s flooding, many farmers may be dealing with soil compaction. Not all soil compaction is the same. Knowing how to identify the four main types of soil compaction can help you diagnose and solve the problem on your farm. 1. Hardpan True hardpan generally occurs only in Solonetzic or heavy clay soils which have […] Read more
Reduce nitrogen to speed maturity
Reducing nitrogen (N) supply to hasten maturity in crops is sometimes called “premature death”. It might more correctly be termed “limiting growth” — the aim being to reduce vegetative growth so the crop can get into its productive stage earlier. “This year we had a wet and cool spring so a lot of producers were […] Read more
Try growth regulators to prevent lodging
For European farmers, growth regulators are standard practice to help reduce the incidence and severity of lodging. Growth regulators are designed to limit the internode elongation of plants by reducing the extension of the cells — in other words, to shorten the growth habit of the crop. This strengthens the straw, which helps improve standability. Growth regulators have, to […] Read more
Plan rotations to avoid fungicide and herbicide resistance
Pathogens, organisms and plants will eventually find ways to adapt and develop immunity to the various methods used to control them. This has been shown clearly with the announcement of glyphosate- resistant kochia in Alberta. Other recent challenges for farmers include increasing amounts of Group 2 herbicide-resistant cleavers and wild mustard in pulse crops. Group […] Read more
Understanding Falling Numbers in Wheat
It’s always useful for farmers to have an idea of the quality of the grain in their bins to help them determine what protein level or grade their crop is likely to meet. There are many different factors which affect grain quality and many different ways to test for them. One quality assessment tool that […] Read more
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
