One of the most intriguing discoveries in the study of aster yellows is the apparent link between drought in the U.S. Great Plains region — the source region for migratory leafhoppers — and the severity of outbreaks in Canada.
AAFC researcher looks at link between drought and aster yellows
While not as voracious as flea beetles, the aster leafhopper hurts yields by spreading disease
Use these incentives to improve the profitability of low-yield acres
Taking marginal land out of annual crop production could improve the farm’s overall profitability
Across the Prairies, some of the toughest marginal farmland is getting a second look — not for what it can grow, but for what it can support.
Chemical costs are down — but for how long?
A new report highlights price drops in agricultural chemicals, but rising raw material costs and market volatility could reverse the trend
As the agricultural landscape braces for uncertainty, securing supplies now could be a smart move for the season ahead.
Finding the right fit: Choose your canola varieties carefully
The best one for your farm might be different than your neighbours’
When it comes to canola variety selection, short-sighted decisions can harm your long-term success, a panel told farmers attending Manitoba Ag Days. While the cost of seed and the potential returns are factors that influence many producers’ choices, they must also consider weed control, spring soil conditions and disease, agronomists said. Karen Fatteicher, an agronomist […] Read more
Researchers scramble to understand verticillium in Canada
While research into verticillium stripe is still in its infancy, agronomists are recommending crop rotation and better field practices
Verticillium is a newcomer among Canadian crop diseases, and according to Justine Cornelsen, agronomic and regulatory services manager with BrettYoung Seeds, researchers still have much to learn about it. “It was first identified on a farm south of Winnipeg in 2014, but it has now been identified in many other production regions,” she says. As […] Read more
Project to take high-level look at ag emissions
A CBC tower will be used to monitor nitrous oxide on the Prairies
Glacier FarmMedia — A group of researchers, policy makers and producer organizations is repurposing part of a CBC transmission tower to get data on agriculture’s greenhouse gas emissions. The tower at Yorkton, Sask., will be fitted with sensors to measure agricultural nitrous oxide emissions 100 metres above the ground. The group, dubbed CanN20net, held its […] Read more
Pioneer levels up against sclerotinia
Corteva’s new canola hybrid delivers fungicide-equivalent protection
Fungicide-equivalent protection against sclerotinia has long been an elusive target for canola breeders — but Pioneer appears to have cracked the code. The Corteva-owned seed brand released its P617SL hybrid commercially in 2024, and the company says its trial data backs up the fungicide-equivalent claim. While the Canola Council of Canada can’t speak to specific […] Read more
Rethinking weed management
Not every weapon against herbicide resistance comes out of a sprayer
Farmers up against herbicide-resistant weeds need to rethink their cropping systems and add more angles in their approach to long-term weed control. This advice came from Dr. Drew Lyon of Washington State University during his presentation at the Manitoba Agronomists’ Conference in December. While Lyon’s discussion primarily focused on integrated weed management (IWM) in dryland […] Read more
Dollars from data
Improving the quality of the quantifying can help improve bottom lines, nutrient management, yields and decision-making
Unlocking the full strength of your data can turn small changes into bigger returns, and smart, localized insights can boost a farm’s bottom line, Brunel Sabourin of Antara Agronomy says. Sabourin was speaking to an audience of farmers and agronomists at St. Jean Farm Days, an agricultural event at St. Jean Baptiste, Man., about 60 […] Read more
Herbicide researchers pick new fights
Different modes of action may overcome a lull in herbicide discovery
Herbicide development has slowed in recent years, but innovative research methods could soon drive significant progress in the field. For decades, the pace of discovery of new modes of action — that is, how a herbicide interferes with the plant’s normal functions — was robust. From the 1950s through the 1980s, an average of one […] Read more
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
