Jan and Jony Roos are thrilled to be Ontario’s 2019 Outstanding Young Farmers (OYF), and the fact that they were nominated by a former employee makes it even more of an honour. “It gave us a good feeling that our employees appreciated it here,” says Jony. “We didn’t expect to win because the other competitors […] Read more
Canada’s OYF 2019: Ontario nominees
Proper management and improved efficiency support growing dairy goat operation
Canada’s OYF 2019: Saskatchewan nominees
The Rangers focus on cropping efficiencies on mostly rented land
Jason and Jenna Ranger, Saskatchewan’s 2019 Outstanding Young Farmers (OYF), have over the past dozen years steadily grown their cropping operation, Jaran Farms Ltd., in north-west Saskatchewan to around 11,000 acres, producing primarily canola, oats, wheat and lentils. After completing a year of his agricultural degree in 2006, Jason had the opportunity to rent a […] Read more
Intercropping research catching up
Researchers are taking a look at the intercropping combinations farmers are trying at home
When most farmers think about intercropping, peas and canola come to mind, which has to date probably been the most common pairing for an intercrop system. But research by Lana Shaw at the South East Research Farm (SERF) in Redvers, Sask., has shown that other combinations — like chickpeas and flax or mustard and lentils […] Read more
Making your grain marketing plan
Getting started with the basics of basis and futures
Trade wars, weather delays, low-quality grains, lower-than-hoped-for prices. When your crop is finally in the bin, this might be a good year to learn more about marketing so you can make the most of what you have. There are many different ways to market grains and some are better suited to certain crops. Some crops […] Read more
Satellites and drainage a good partnership
Farmers Edge and NextGen Drainage Solutions team up to advance tile drainage tech
One of the most common questions farmers ask about tile drainage is, “Will it work in our area?” As probably one of the most expensive investments a farmer will make, next to purchasing land, it’s understandable that farmers want to make sure tile drainage will work and give them some tangible benefits before they take […] Read more
The science behind intercropping
When plants can share nutrients, they can yield higher together than separately
Just as the adoption of no-till agriculture on the Prairies several decades ago was farmer-driven, the current shift to ecological (sometimes called regenerative) agricultural practices is no different, says Dr. Martin Entz of the University of Manitoba. “In this fascinating carbon world, we’re now moving beyond just crop rotation and beyond just grazing management all […] Read more
Slowing growth to prevent lodging
Should you invest in a plant growth regulator for your cereal crops this season?
Where there’s enough moisture and high fertility levels, lodging can still be a major yield constraint. In cereal crops, plant growth regulators (PGRs) have been shown to produce shorter stems to reduce lodging and maintain grain yields. Researchers in Alberta are trying to optimize PGR use to prevent lodging and improve standability and harvestability in […] Read more
It’s a good time to be breeding oats
Oat research and development continues despite industry and government funding cuts
Despite a few stumbling blocks, the Canadian oat industry continues to advance and offer good opportunities for oat growers. The good news is that researchers are looking at new, value-added products that provide increased health benefits to consumers. Thanks to improvements in oat breeding and agronomic practices, Canadian oat yields have increased by 18 per […] Read more
Insuring intercrops in Manitoba
Manitoba farmers can now insure intercrops and also get incentives to grow them
In response to requests from producers for some kind of insurance on unconventional crops such as quinoa or multi-species crops like intercrops, Manitoba Agricultural Insurance Corporation (MASC) has introduced a new insurance product for what it calls ‘novel crops.’ At a recent intercropping workshop at Brandon in November, Robert Manastyr spoke on behalf of MASC […] Read more
Pulse and soybean diseases to watch
Dry conditions in 2018 gave pulse growers a break, but there’s lots to watch for in 2019
While dry conditions during the 2018 growing season didn’t stop all instances of foliar, stem and root rot diseases across Western Canada, pulse growers didn’t see the high levels of pulse or soybean diseases associated with warm, moist conditions. But that doesn’t mean scouting won’t be necessary in 2019. The main diseases in pulse and […] Read more
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
