wheat stem sawfly

How farmers can help map, monitor and forecast pest outbreaks

Researchers can help producers develop pest management plans — but farmers’ help is needed to know which pests are where, and how many

Prairie scientists conducting research into field crop pests can always use more help from producers — whether it’s by granting access to farmland, or just by reporting what they see in the field.



farmer piloting drone in canada

Evaluating new tech, products and practices

There is always something new around the corner, so how do crop consultants filter out the noise and arrive at a reliable recommendation for their clients?

With new products, new production practices and new technology converging in the agriculture industry at a frenetic pace, independent agronomists and crop advisors try to sort the wheat from the proverbial chaff as they advise clients on what might or might not work on an individual farm. Not only has the pace of introducing new […] Read more


lygus bug

Lambda-cy back in the toolbox

After two years reviewing updated data, regulators rule in favour of a popular pest control product

Prairie farmers are welcoming the return of some important insecticides to the crop protection toolbox — although there’s still some headshaking over why use of the products was interrupted in the first place, and why it took two years for the federal Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) to re-evaluate registration data. Although producers such as […] Read more

Daniel, Lorin and Barry Doersken operate Gemstone Cattle Co., a diversified farm and ranching operation at Gem, Alta.

Quebec, Alberta producers named Outstanding Young Farmers

Meeting counterparts from across the country a great learning experience

An innovative market garden operation near Quebec City, and a progressive ranching operation in southeastern Alberta with a focus on direct meat sales to consumers, won the hearts and votes of judges in November as they were named Canada’s Outstanding Young Farmers (COYF). Simon Plante and Alison Blouin, owners of Polyculture Plante from Sainte-Petronille, just […] Read more


At left is a wheat crop seeded on shorter or more conventional stubble height, which trapped less snow over winter. At right is a more robust crop growing in taller stubble that was able to capture more snow.

Research confirms value of taller crop stubble

Technology is available to help set up, measure and monitor on-farm research projects

Leaving taller crop stubble in the fall can improve the odds of higher crop yield in the following year, says Saskatchewan crop consultant Mike Palmier. His field observations in the 2021 growing season, followed by on-farm research trials through 2022 and 2023, produced data to support a recommendation to leave taller crop stubble. Even a […] Read more

The OYF program aims to recognize farmers who exemplify excellence in their field.

COYF: Outstanding, young and (mostly) westbound

Alberta is set to host the national Outstanding Young Farmers 2024 event later this month

Seven farm and ranch families from across Canada will get a look at how agriculture works in southern Alberta in late November, as the regional nominees for Canada’s Outstanding Young Farmers (COYF) make their way to Lethbridge for the national awards competition. The seven regional finalists, who represent agriculture enterprises ranging from fruit, vegetable and […] Read more


Geena Luckett says one of the most popular wines at Luckett’s Vineyard, near Wolfville, N.S., is a vintage known as Phone Box Red, in recognition of her dad Pete’s British heritage. In the centre of the vineyard is a red phone box, such as those commonly found in England. The phone within is operating, and visitors can call anywhere in the world for free.

Geena Luckett

Outstanding Young Farmers 2024: The glamour in the wine takes hard work among the vines

Owning and operating a vineyard isn’t quite as glamorous as Geena Luckett imagined during her university days, as her dad was establishing Luckett’s Vineyard in Nova Scotia’s Gaspereau Valley, not far from the Bay of Fundy. After starting out as an events manager at the winery, then learning about all other aspects of the business, […] Read more

Quebec OYF nominees Alison Blouin and Simon Plante among the strawberries on the Polyculture Plante farm.

Simon Plante and Alison Blouin

Outstanding Young Farmers 2024: Its acres capped by geography, this market garden operation seeks to grow more per acre

Increasing production on the same land base, which in turn will help make more marketing opportunities possible— that’s the goal of a young Quebec farming couple heading up a second-generation fruit and vegetable operation near Quebec City. Investing heavily in new production technology on the family-owned Polyculture Plante, located at Sainte-Pétronille on Île d’Orléans, is […] Read more