Where did everybody go? One of the mysteries that has confused me in recent months as we sorta, somewhat, maybe turn the corner on this COVID thing is where did all the workers go? I’m sure it is as noticeable on the farm or in rural communities as much as it is in the city. […] Read more
Are we going somewhere in a handbasket?
I thought the government was looking after us but maybe I had the wrong country
What’s the relationship between soil organic matter and crop insurance?
Adjusting insurance premiums based on soil quality factors is an idea now being discussed
This is all just in the thinking stage right now, but the day may come when farms that can demonstrate production practices that maintain high levels of soil organic matter may qualify for reduced crop insurance premiums. It is a concept being pondered right now by Alberta’s crop insurance agency, the Agriculture Financial Services Corporation […] Read more
Sask. farmer’s soil health approach results in ‘soil armour’
Farmer Tim Nerbas protects his soil with a layer of organic material he calls “soil armour.” He says that and other conservation farming practices to improve soil health on his farm may take time — but it’s worth the wait
Northwest Saskatchewan farmer Tim Nerbas knows if he does the best job of managing crop production above ground, it is probably providing the most benefit to all activity going on below ground. He doesn’t test to measure the amount of organic matter in the soil on his 4,000-acre grain, oilseed and pulse crop operation near […] Read more
Grainews keeps long-retired reader up to date
A magazine rack fashioned out of western red cedar helps connect this one-time Manitoba farm boy to his roots
It has been a few days since Don Levreault has actively farmed in southwest Manitoba — perhaps we should say a few decades — but that doesn’t mean the longtime resident of Qualicum Beach, B.C., doesn’t keep informed about western Canadian farming trends. And as a loyal reader of Grainews magazine and other publications, Levreault can […] Read more
Small sprayers great for range and pasture…
A more compact machine is an ideal fit for smaller fields
When it comes to field-spraying projects, Jeremiah Kanderka has found that bigger isn’t necessarily better. The general manager for Alberta-based Greentech Environmental Solutions says that in the past year they have moved away from using high-clearance 120-foot wide TerraGator field sprayers to much more compact units. For the 2022 growing season they are providing weed […] Read more
Can biological crop inputs for cereals and oilseeds work?
Foliar-applied nitrogen-fixing biologicals for grains and oilseeds are a great concept. Here, four Prairie farmers share their experiences
There aren’t too many western Canadian farmers who would consider growing a pulse crop without first applying rhizobium bacteria to the seed to help the plant roots fix nitrogen in the soil. The benefits of that technology are well proven and accepted. But what about a foliar application of bacteria to the leaves and stems […] Read more
Canada’s Farm Show live for 2022
All of the popular features and much more will be welcoming visitors in June
Thousands of farmers from across Western Canada and the United States and visitors from around the world are expected to head for Saskatchewan June 21-23, 2022, for the return of the live and in-person Canada’s Farm Show. Known as the Farm Progress Show held at the Regina exhibition grounds for more than 40 years, the […] Read more
The best fit for pre- or post-harvest treatments
With erratic growing season conditions producers need to be flexible with fall weed control plans
Farmers Owen Orsak and Tim Nerbas hadn’t got the 2022 crop in the ground yet when they were asked in early May about their fall weed control plans, but the Manitoba and Saskatchewan producers, respectively, say they will apply desiccation and weed control measures on their farms this year depending on weed growth and harvest […] Read more
Olds College takes a hands-on look at new technology
Park the tractor. Learning how to seed the field and spray crops with an unmanned drill and field sprayer is just another day in the life of students in 2022
When I get digging through old photos … look out! I often find something from my days on the farm in the mid-20th century that in today’s era of technology probably has closer ties to the 1700s. This fuzzy photo of a kid riding a milk cow is the first livestock tracking system my dad […] Read more
No easy fix for pulse crop problems
A Saskatchewan pulse producer weighs his options and risks for planting lentils in fields previously hit hard by aphanomyces — plus, the latest research and recommendations on root rot management in pulses
Shaun Dyrland says even in a dry growing season, if there is a thunderstorm that drops about an inch of rain some of the lentil fields on his west-central Saskatchewan farm will be dead within a matter of days. That’s just an indication of the effect root rot disease — particularly aphanomyces — can have […] Read more
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
