Some days my job becomes a bit like codebreaking: I have to take the specialist language of science and translate it into something useful, not just readable.
Decoding the science behind the story
Reporter’s Notebook: The more I do this, the more familiar the terms become
Shady solution? Solar panels may ease drought stress on pasture
A U.S. study showed that while forage yields were slightly reduced in wetter years due to shade cast by solar panels, the yields were up during dry periods, suggesting the panels may help moderate the effects of drought on pasture.
Swather-sprayer retrofit a clever solution to winter wheat’s tight planting window
A researcher and a zero-till pioneer develop a new way to get winter wheat right into spring canola stubble
A system to spray pre-seed herbicide at the same time as swathing isn’t just a clever labour-saver, but could help overcome one of the biggest obstacles keeping Prairie farmers out of winter wheat: the timing.
Demystifying biological inputs
A new partnership brings science-based field data to ag input listings to help growers sort fact from fiction
Biome Makers’ BeCrop Trials system measures changes in the soil microbiome after a product is applied. While the AgList/Biome Makers badge doesn’t validate efficacy, it signals a product has been through third-party field trials.
Clubroot resistance: what new seed labels would mean for canola growers
Proposed label changes could provide growers with detailed info to rotate varieties and preserve resistance in canola crops
Improved seed labelling can help canola growers make better variety choices, reduce disease pressure and protect the long-term effectiveness of clubroot resistance.
Hazy conditions, clear decisions: How wildfire smoke affects spraying and crops on the Prairies
No direct research has yet been done on how wildfire smoke affects herbicide application
As wildfire smoke becomes more common on the Prairies, understanding its effects on herbicide performance and crop development can help farmers make better-informed spraying decisions and avoid costly delays.
Using nematodes to control crop pests
Alberta research and U.S. commercialization suggest soil-dwelling nematodes could become a practical option for Prairie pest control
Alberta research and U.S. commercialization suggest soil-dwelling nematodes could become a practical option for Prairie pest control.
Could trap crops help fend off lygus in faba beans?
A study explores how bracketing crops such as safflower or sunflower could help manage lygus in faba fields
The idea under study here is simple: plant something even more attractive than faba beans along the field edge, draw lygus in and hit them with an insecticide before they move on.
What insect pests are bugging your forage crops?
Grasshoppers, cutworms and armyworms can cause major damage if left unchecked. Learn how to scout and manage them
Manitoba Agriculture entomologist John Gavloski highlights several key insect pests that can affect forage crop production and shares strategies for managing them.
Mapping tool to stop accidental spraying now available across Prairies
Organic farmers and beekeepers hope FieldWatch can prevent costly accidents — but buy-in is still building
The U.S.-developed mapping platform has been available to Saskatchewan farmers and aerial applicators since 2012, and is now available in Manitoba and Alberta.
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
