Canola has been called a Canadian success story, and for good reason. It’s estimated the country’s canola value chain generates nearly $30 billion in economic activity annually. But even the best success stories sometimes must change with the times. That’s why the agriculture industry spends millions of dollars each year to develop new canola varieties […] Read more
What’s in the canola pipeline?
Product managers of some of the country’s leading seed companies share their insights
Quick Disease Reporter Tool a game-changer for farmers
Farmers and consultants are alerted about emerging disease issues
It’s a major frustration for farmers and crop advisers when they discover disease in a field and realize it’s too late to do anything about it. A new online tool developed by the Prairie Crop Disease Monitoring Network is designed to change that. The Quick Disease Reporter Tool allows users to electronically report disease outbreaks […] Read more
Nitrification and urease inhibitors
Before you buy, understand when and where these products will provide the greatest economic benefit to your farm
With fertilizer prices remaining historically high, farmers continue to seek ways to get the best bang for their buck when it comes to crop nutrients. Nitrification and urease inhibitors are a popular and practical option. They can be applied with nitrogen-based fertilizers to improve nutrient use efficiency and they can also potentially limit greenhouse gas […] Read more
Tips for choosing canola varieties
Prairie farmers share their strategies
Steve Cowan understands the importance of making the right choice when it comes to canola variety selection. Cowan owns and operates a 3,000-acre grain farm near Camrose, Alta., where he grows canola, wheat and barley. He also works as an agronomist with the Crop Management Network and advises fellow farmers in the region on how […] Read more
What’s in the canola pipeline?
Product managers of some of the country’s leading seed companies share their insights
Canola has been called a Canadian success story, and for good reason. It’s estimated the country’s canola value chain generates nearly $30 billion in economic activity annually. But even the best success stories sometimes must change with the times. That’s why the agriculture industry spends millions of dollars each year to develop new canola varieties […] Read more
Disease testing uptake low despite benefits
Canola disease tests help growers better manage their fields
Canola disease testing is available free of charge in much of the Prairies, but uptake among growers and agronomists remains relatively low, according to industry officials. In Manitoba, the Pest Surveillance Initiative (PSI) lab has been offering free clubroot testing since 2014. The Manitoba Canola Growers Association lab also offers free blackleg and verticillium stripe […] Read more
Rotations and the bottom line
Prairie researchers examine how different crop rotations affect net economic returns
When it comes to on-farm decision making, the bottom line for most farmers is often, well, the bottom line. A 2019 survey of Manitoba farmers bore that out. The survey, conducted on behalf of the Manitoba Pulse and Soybean Growers, asked farmers which factors were important to them when planning their crop rotations. Yield potential […] Read more
New tool for Prairie farmers to help with fertility decisions
U of S researchers create a nutrient removal calculator specifically for producers in Western Canada
A new online tool developed by researchers at the University of Saskatchewan could help farmers in Western Canada make more accurate on-farm fertilizer decisions. The Prairie Nutrient Removal Calculator was officially released in early May. It provides up-to-date nutrient removal rates for 15 different crops commonly grown on the Canadian Prairies. The calculator is the […] Read more
SaskCanola expands disease testing program
Verticillium stripe added to the lineup of free initiative
A program that offers free canola disease testing to producers in Saskatchewan has widened its scope. The disease monitoring program, offered by SaskCanola in conjunction with the Saskatchewan agriculture department, is free to producers across the province. Blackleg and clubroot testing have been available through the program for the past few years but this is […] Read more
‘Perfect storm’ for grasshoppers
The conditions are right for pest-type grasshoppers in Saskatchewan. Consider both insecticides and cultural controls
A provincial insect management specialist says grasshoppers could pose a significant challenge for farmers in Saskatchewan this season. During a June 14 webinar offering advice on managing grasshopper populations, James Tansey of Saskatchewan Agriculture said, “we’ve got a bit of a perfect storm for grasshoppers this year.” According to Tansey, warm and dry conditions in […] Read more
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
