Integrated pest management (IPM) involves a range of pest control methods. According to Pierre Petelle, vice-president of chemistry for CropLife Canada, IPM is “a process that uses all necessary techniques to suppress pests in an effective, economical and environmentally friendly manner.” In IPM, “pests” are broadly defined as weeds, insects and diseases. IPM techniques can […] Read more
Integrated pest management
Integrated techniques offer farmers a bigger toolbox for pest control
Lentils with blight can be misdiagnosed
Stemphylium blight is turning up in more and more seed lab tests, but is often misdiagnosed when it’s found out in the field
Stemphylium blight, caused by the fungal pathogen Stemphylium botryosum, is a lentil disease that has only been identified as a problem in recent years. But according to Sabine Banniza, a researcher at the University of Saskatchewan, this may be due to misdiagnosis in the past. “There isn’t really very solid data out there, partly because […] Read more
Agronomists versus agrologists
All kinds of consultants are vying for the chance to sell advice to farmers. Know what you’re paying for
The terms “agronomist” and “agrologist” are often confused in today’s ag industry. From chat forums to conferences, farmers are presented with a multiplicity of options for crop consulting, but even if they’re used every day, it’s not always clear which options will best suit an individual farmer’s needs. Mark Bratrud, a farmer with consulting experience […] Read more
New triticale varieties offer wheat alternative
Triticale, a human-made hybrid of wheat and rye, has never enjoyed the popularity of either of its parent crops in Canada. However, researchers have found that triticale varieties offer so many benefits to western Canadian farmers that it may soon be included in their ranks. And if it doesn’t, it should. Traditionally, farmers have avoided […] Read more
Bio-industrial markets a good option for triticale
The Canadian Triticale Biorefinery Initiative is out of funding, but research into bio-industrial uses for triticale is still underway
Triticale, a human-made hybrid of wheat and rye, has never seen the demand enjoyed by its cereal cousins in Canada. Traditionally, western Canadian farmers have largely avoided using triticale in their rotations due to limited marketing opportunities. While triticale boasts high yields and high biomass, along with added benefits such as disease resistance and high […] Read moreNew triticale varieties offer wheat alternative
Triticale, a human-made hybrid of wheat and rye, has never enjoyed the popularity of either of its parent crops in Canada. However, researchers have found that triticale varieties offer so many benefits to western Canadian farmers that it may soon be included in their ranks. And if it doesn’t, it should. Traditionally, farmers have avoided […] Read more
Farm labour shortages
Labour shortages are especially problematic for potato growers, and many other Prairie farmers are also feeling the squeeze
This year, many prairie potato growers will face labour shortages during the busy harvest season. The reasons are complex, but the result will be the same: greater stress for human resources managers on commercial potato farms and longer hours for all hands on the fields. The situation “If I got three skilled applicants today I’d […] Read moreEvolving Environmental Farm Plans
An Environmental Farm Plan (EFP) is a voluntary process where a farmer self-identifies potential environmental risks and benefits on his or her farm, and creates a plan to mitigate those risks. Patrick Girard, senior media relations officer with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, says two of the agri-environmental projects funded from 2003-04 to 2007-08 were the […] Read more
Alberta targets ag emissions
Carbon offset programs are not a new concept to many Canadians. Individuals and organizations have been purchasing carbon credits to mitigate their own greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions for years, and the use of carbon offset programs by major industrial emitters is an accepted business practice. But carbon offset programs have become more relevant to agricultural […] Read more
Enhanced efficiency fertilizer
Enhanced efficiency fertilizer (EEF) is a blanket term referring to products that optimize nutrient uptake and prevent nutrient loss by controlling the speed of release or altering soil-fertilizer reactions. EEFs intended for agricultural production are commonly nitrogen products, although the technology has been applied to other nutrients such as phosphorous. While agricultural use of EEFs […] Read more
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