Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada is predicting a slight increase in seeded acreage of wheat in 2020. Difficult spring planting conditions ran the gamut across the Prairies in 2019 from limited to excess moisture; however, moisture levels going into 2020 look adequate, with projected cool, dry conditions. Regardless, producers should start the season armed with a […] Read more
Cereal diseases to watch in 2020
Tan spot, septoria complex, scald, FHB and root rots top the list. What’s the outlook for your region?
New lab offers plant sap analysis
Tired of the same old soil and tissue tests? Try this
A new, independent lab is offering an innovative nutrient test to farmers in Red Deer, Alta. Future Analytics Inc. offers “plant sap” testing, which measures the xylem sap in plant leaves as an indicator of nutrient availability, as well as water, soil and bacteria testing, says owner Melissa Werkema. The lab, which opened in spring […] Read more
Meet your farming neighbours: The Lowes
Meet Will and Cindy Lowe from Kyle, Saskatchewan
Every farm has its own story. No two farms (or farmers) are exactly alike. Everyone got started in a different way, and every farm has a different combination of family and hired staff who make the decisions and keep things running. But, in general, even after you consider all of the details, farmers are more […] Read more
Canada’s OYF 2019: Atlantic Canada nominees
Seventh generation PEI farm continues to evolve into new enterprises
It was Justin Rogers’ great-grandmother who named Picturesque Farms over 100 years ago when she turned into the drive for the first time and exclaimed, “My, this is a picturesque farm!” More than seven generations after their ancestors purchased the land in 1843, the Rogers’ 300-acre grain farm in Brae, P.E.I. is still going, thanks […] Read more
Canada’s OYF 2019: Manitoba nominees
Will and Jen Bergmann share passions for photography, farming and feeding the world
Will and Jen Bergmann don’t believe they’re special. The only thing that sets them apart from other farmers, says Will, is how they share their story. It’s a story about modern farming and what it takes to feed the world, whether farmers are growing commodity crops or organic vegetables. The Bergmanns grow both, and now […] Read more
Meet your farming neighbours: Ivan Dueck and his brothers
Ivan Dueck and his brothers farm in Namiquipa, Mexico
Every farm has its own story. No two farms (or farmers) are exactly alike. Everyone got started in a different way, and every farm has a different combination of family and hired staff who make the decisions and keep things running. But, in general, even after you consider all of the details, farmers are more […] Read more
Meet your farming neighbours: Bernie and Cara McClean
Bernie and Cara McClean farm in northwest Saskatchewan
Every farm has its own story. No two farms (or farmers) are exactly alike. Everyone got started in a different way, and every farm has a different combination of family and hired staff who make the decisions and keep things running. But, in general, even after you consider all of the details, farmers are more […] Read more
Invest in security on your farm
Relatively simple cameras can offer safety and security
Many farmers can tell stories of break-ins, stolen vehicles or stolen fuel. This trend isn’t only anecdotal: crime rates are going up in rural areas. According to Statistics Canada, 21 per cent of crime in 2017 took place in rural areas, with rates of violent crime 63 per cent higher in rural communities than urban […] Read more
Farmyard security takes a leap forward
Video surveillance systems mean there are always eyes on the farm
Not so long ago, farmyard security meant keeping a rifle and ammunition handy. But there are better options, says Virgil Reed, founder and CEO of Saskatoon-based Reed Security. “Farmyard security has always been an issue, but today there’s a lot more awareness about it due to events in the media,” says Reed. “Farms have poor […] Read more
Spring flax for pasmo: when and what
Wait until the early flowering stage to make your pasmo spray decisions in flax
Pasmo is the wallflower of flax: it’s always at the party, but typically doesn’t take centre stage. But even though it doesn’t usually rank as the disease with most economic impact, flax can still take a hit from pasmo. The Flax Council of Canada says severity can range from traces to 60 per cent of […] Read more
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
