Planning is integral to the success of any grain farm, whether preparing for seeding or determining the best use of resources at harvest time. The same holds true for on-farm grain storage, says Derek Johnson, regional sales director for AGI, one of the largest manufacturers of grain bins in Canada. He says planning for grain […] Read more
Grain upkeep begins with the bin
Two experts provide tips on how to effectively store grain on-farm
Powdery mildew in 2023: a severe nuisance
At harvest, spore buildup can coat equipment, reducing visibility and creating a potential fire hazard
Ask any farmer on the Canadian Prairies which disease poses the greatest risk to their canola crops and you will likely get a list of the usual suspects that includes blackleg, sclerotinia, clubroot or verticillium stripe. One disease not likely to make that list is powdery mildew. Powdery mildew is a fungal disease that penetrates […] Read more
Are buffer strips right for your farm?
A Manitoba farmer discusses how his farm benefits from the practice
John Hardman learned much of what he knows about farming from his father. Now Hardman owns Crooked Creek Farms near Dauphin, Man., which he has run for the past 40 years. He succeeded his father, Edwin, who farmed the same land for nearly half a century. One of the most enduring lessons Hardman learned from […] Read more
Are your fields potassium deficient?
Cases of potassium-deficient soils are on the rise. It could mean a hit to your bottom line
Most farmers know the importance of nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus in the soil and the vital role their presence plays in crop development. But what about potassium? Potassium (K) is critically important in helping provide water balance within a plant. The only way a plant can move sugar and nutrients is by moving […] Read more
Understanding biological crop inputs
Strip trials may be the best way to determine how and when these emerging products provide value to growers
It’s a question Marc Beland has been asked more times than he can remember: what are biologicals? “That’s a very good question. I get that quite often,” Beland says with a laugh. Beland is the director of market development for Premier Tech, which offers a variety of biological inputs to the agriculture market. He may […] Read more
Spot sprayer economics
Does this technology make sense for your farm? ROI isn’t the only consideration
Interest in spot sprayers has continued to grow among western Canadian farmers over the past decade. It’s easy to understand why. Spot sprayers can detect and spray a weed, leaving a crop untouched, and can dramatically reduce the use of expensive chemicals thanks to a combination of artificial intelligence, machine learning and state-of-the-art sensors. While […] Read more
As corn acres increase, so could disease pressure
The number of corn acres in Western Canada is growing. Grain corn acreage in Western Canada nearly doubled in a recent 15-year span, rising from 210,000 acres in 2007 to slightly more than 414,000 in 2022, according to data compiled by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. The trend has continued into 2023. While that development is […] Read more
Iron deficiency chlorosis continues to affect soybean crops
If you’re a soybean producer, IDC should be on your radar
It’s not exactly a household name, but iron deficiency chlorosis (IDC) can pose a serious threat to soybean producers on the Prairies. IDC is a nutrient deficiency that can cause yellowing of soybean foliage and stunt plant growth. In extreme cases, it can lead to significant yield losses. The problem typically develops in fields where […] Read more
Study shows effectiveness of green-on-brown sprayer technology
Olds College examines agronomic and economic benefits
Green-on-brown herbicide sprayer technology shows promise but some growers remain reluctant to embrace it. A study recently conducted by Olds College of Agriculture and Technology and its Centre for Innovation was aimed at making that decision a little easier for farmers. It explored the practicality and functionality of green-on-brown sprayer technology as well as the […] Read more
More bang for your fertilizer buck
Study provides more proof that pulse crops contribute to nitrogen use efficiency
Canadian farmers are expected to spend a record $23.1 billion on inputs in 2023, so they will be looking to get the most bang for their buck when it comes to fertilizer. A recent western Canadian study could make that task a little easier in the not-too-distant future. The Resilient Rotations project is a comprehensive, […] Read more
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