Farmers who grow malting barley in their rotation say there is a lot to like about the crop. It’s an early-maturing, drought-resistant crop that competes well with weeds. And if farmers meet the high standards required by malting houses, they can earn a handsome premium. Although malting barley once yielded significantly less than higher-yielding feed […] Read more
Fitting malting barley in your rotation
The price premium isn’t the only benefit malting barley offers
Maul of the wild
Farmers who missed two-decade-old advice on wild oat management now face the fallout, but new research and technology might still turn the tide
Any Prairie farmers who ignored a 2005 paper on managing herbicide-resistant wild oats, back when it first dropped, might feel like they’re getting an “I told you so” finger wag if they were to read it today. Authored by Hugh Beckie, a former AAFC researcher known for his contributions to weed management and herbicide resistance […] Read more
Critical factors in growing malting barley
While malting grade offers premiums, farmers must meet stringent quality standards to avoid being left with feed
As malting barley yields approach those of top feed varieties, farmers are increasingly choosing to grow malting barley in hopes of securing a premium price — even if their end goal is feed. The problem is, those premiums don’t come easily. Shawn Pasieczka, a food safety grain specialist with Richardson, is the arbiter of what […] Read more
New biological aims to boost row crops’ yield
A new biostimulant that Syngenta says will boost yield for row crops is slated for release in time for the 2025 growing season. “YieldON amplifies the grain-filling processes that crops naturally do when they transition from the vegetative stage to the reproductive stage of their life cycle,” Chris Dumigan, biologicals technical lead with Syngenta Canada, […] Read more
Leveling the crop protection playing field for mustard
The challenges of growing mustard in the shadow of canola
While mustard growers face many of the same agronomic challenges as canola growers, they often find themselves with fewer crop protection options than canola growers do. So when Bayer recently announced its Buteo Start seed treatment for flea beetles would be available for mustard seed, mustard farmers welcomed the news. “That’s going to help us […] Read more
Federal funds announced for Cereals Canada
The recent $7.3 million in federal money to Cereals Canada is slated for international market improvements and research into the impact of environmental conditions on cereals
Integrated weed management faces new future
Intercropping, predictive weed control could redraw battle lines in the fight against herbicide-resistant weeds
Glacier FarmMedia — Herbicide resistance in weeds is rising and there are no new chemistries on the horizon, so farmers will need fresh approaches to integrated weed management strategies. “I think the best management practice that someone could do for weed resistance is the one you’re not currently doing on your farm,” says Rory Cranston, […] Read more
Feeling the pinch
Uncertainty across commodity and input markets creates difficult choices for farmers
Farmers are facing a tight squeeze this fall. Commodity prices are low, and the lower input prices that they’re used to this time of year are not materializing. Keystone Agricultural Producers president Jill Verwey says it’s a tough time for growers. “Being able to make a profit this year is going to be pretty slim,” […] Read more
Higher-risk list drops two ag chemicals
Keep It Clean advisory gauges crop products by export market risk
Glacier FarmMedia — A 2024 product advisory from Keep it Clean is missing two names previously featured on a list of high-risk crop protection products. Keep it Clean is a joint initiative of the Canola Council of Canada, Cereals Canada, Pulse Canada and the Prairie Oat Growers Association. The group releases an annual product advisory […] Read more
Federal government intervenes to end rail lockout with binding arbitration
Federal Labour Minister Steve MacKinnon has intervened in the labour dispute between the railways and the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference (TCRC).
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
