The importance of micronutrients, including boron (B), chloride (Cl), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), molybdenum (Mo), zinc (Zn) and nickel (Ni), has come under the microscope in recent years. Some researchers say a lack of micronutrients can cause yield loss. According to Tee Boon Goh, a specialist in soil chemistry and mineralogy at the University […] Read more
Copper applications have limited impact on wheat
Researchers say non-targeted copper application does not increase macronutrients
New GM potato gets U.S. approval
The new gm potato variety, “Innate,” is ready for the deep fryer
A genetically modified potato called “Innate” has recently made headlines in the U.S. The French fry giant J.R. Simplot’s petition for “non-regulated status” for its proprietary biotechnology process called Innate has been approved by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Although McDonalds has stated that it has no current plans to utilize GM potatoes, […] Read more
Making money growing sunflowers
Sunflowers can be very profitable in some parts of the Prairies. If you can manage sclerotinia
Agronomists say the biggest threat facing Manitoba sunflower growers is sclerotinia (head and stem rot), but the fungal disease can be managed with proper crop rotation and fungicide applications. This formed part of the message of a presentation submitted to the Manitoba Agronomists’ Conference at the University of Manitoba in December. According to Troy Turner, […] Read more
High land prices hurt new farmers
Price increases may be slowing, but it’s a tough time for farmers to buy land
Western Canadian farmland has never been more expensive. According to J.P. Gervais, the chief economist for Farm Credit Canada (FCC), which provides data at the national level for Statistics Canada, farmland values continued to increase throughout 2014. “In a few months the report will be released, but we know that farmland values have continued to increase throughout […] Read more
Beetle insecticide resistance on the rise
Colorado potato beetle resistance to Group 4 insecticides, neonicotinoids, is spreading west
It should come as no surprise to Prairie potato growers that Colorado Potato Beetle (CPB) insecticide resistance is increasing. The trend of resistance to neonicotinoids (the Group 4 class of insecticides which includes Admire, Actara, Poncho and Calypso) has long been noted in Eastern Canada, and is now spreading west. Ian Scott, a research scientist […] Read more
Insecticide rotation for canola growers
The need to rotate herbicides gets lots of attention. It’s also necessary to rotate insecticides
Insecticide rotation is common practice for horticultural growers, particularly potato growers, as a management tool in combatting insecticide resistance. But according to John Gavloski, an entomologist for Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Development, based at Carman, Man., insecticide rotation is important for canola and other field crops as well. “Insecticide rotations are recommended for field […] Read more
Palmer amaranth is a looming concern
This aggressive, herbicide resistance weed has been travelling north, and may be in our fields soon
Prairie farmers may soon have a new problem Palmer amaranth, an aggressive, invasive weed species native to the desert regions of the southern United States and Mexico, is spreading into the Northern Plains. A few patches of the weed were spotted last year in Aberdeen, South Dakota; North Dakotans are on high alert. According to […] Read more
New fusarium control on the horizon
Farmers who spray fungicides for fusarium may soon have a new biocontrol to consider
Fusarium head blight is a perennial problem for cereal growers across the Prairies. A fungal disease that can impact many small grain cereals including wheat, rye, barley and oats, fusarium is caused by infection by species of the fungal pathogen Fusarium, and can result in yield losses and reductions in grade and end-use quality. It […] Read more
Higher corn yields through fertility
Fertility recommendations vary from farm to farm, but may be lower for zero-till fields
Prairie farmers are used to being flexible, always on the lookout for new recommendations for fertility applications — and when it comes to growing corn, they have to be. Corn is an expensive crop with high nutritional requirements. And every farmer’s land requires something slightly different. Morgan Cott, field agronomist for Manitoba Corn Growers Association, […] Read more
Wheat gluten strength concerns buyers
International buyers still concerned after Canadian wheat showed poor gluten strength in 2012
In 2012, international buyers of Canadian wheat registered complaints about the crop’s poor gluten strength, according to Dave Hatcher, a research scientist with the Canadian Grain Commission. 2013 presented less of a problem, but even into 2014, buyers are still concerned about the overall crop quality. Several factors impact gluten strength. Weather, variety and growing conditions […] Read more
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