Farmers are buying drones, but often they can’t use the technology to its full potential, says Matt Johnnson. And new drone operators need to research the options available and safety requirements before flying, he adds. Johnson owns M3 Aerial Productions, based in Winnipeg. A math teacher by profession, he started using drones for real estate […] Read more
PHOTOS: Do it with drones
Harvest timing, fertilizer application, elevation mapping — drones are putting new information in farmers’ hands
Guenther: Farmers aim to keep pulse diseases in check
Rain makes grain, the saying goes — but too much spring rain and farmers are likely to see disease in pulses. That’s certainly been the case in Saskatchewan, where farmers in most regions are actively scouting for, or in some cases spraying for, crop diseases, according to the provincial crop report. So which leaf diseases […] Read more
Consider timing when choosing desiccants for lentils
Depending on what you're trying to achieve, you do have choices
Whether you’re an old hand at growing lentils, or relatively inexperienced, it’s worth brushing up on a few harvest tips before the combines start rolling. Harvest success begins before seeding. It’s best to pick land that’s fairly level and stone-free, says Dale Risula, provincial specialist with Saskatchewan Agriculture in Regina. “Rolling your land is a […] Read more
Soybeans shine with no-till systems
Researchers studied corn and soybean response to different soil and residue conditions
Prairie farmers new to soybeans and corn are still figuring out how to adapt their practices to these crops. Researchers at the University of Manitoba are doing the same. Dr. Yvonne Lawley is part of three projects examining soil and residue management of soybeans and corn. The first project looked at seeding soybeans into wheat […] Read more
Guenther: Seeding is a wrap up, scouting now crucial
Seeding is a wrap in Saskatchewan, according to the latest Saskatchewan Crop Report. While dry pockets remain, crop growth has generally been excellent due to recent moisture and warm weather. But while many farmers are relieved that rains quenched what was shaping up to be a dry year, ag retailers in northwest Saskatchewan urge farmers […] Read more
Applying fungicide from the air
If an aerial applicator is applying your fungicide, consider timing and water volume
Dr. Tom Wolf, researcher and owner of Agrimetrix Research and Training, says aerial applicators are “tremendously important.” “They apply spray under conditions that a ground rig can’t — for example, with soil moisture. They cover much more area than a ground rig ever can so they can be more timely. ”Jill Lane, executive director of […] Read more
Access Helicopters rises to the challenge
In Lee Hart’s Farmer Panel in the May 21 issue of Grainews, Saskatchewan farmer Jeff Prosko mentioned he’d be using a helicopter for fungicide applications this year. Everyone at Grainews was curious about the helicopters, so we decided to find out more. Prosko is also president of ProSoils, a family-owned ag retailer based out of […] Read more
Guenther: Sask. farmers near end of seeding, optimism abounds
Saskatchewan Crop Report rates crops as good to excellent overall
As Saskatchewan farmers wrap up the last bit of seeding, there’s abundant optimism for this year’s crop. “Our moisture conditions are good right now,” said Dave Shepherd, location manager for AgriTeam in Glaslyn, in north-western Saskatchewan. The crops, he added, are “looking really good.” West of Glaslyn, things are progressing nicely, said Ian Weber, sales […] Read more
Reporter’s Notebook: A guide to low-stress cattle handling
The first thing to know is that there is no such thing as low-stress cattle handling
I help out with seasonal chores on my parents’ ranch, but I don’t think of myself as a “real” rancher. However, I think I’ve learned a few life lessons from working with animals. I’m not a stockmanship expert, but working cattle is basically about working their flight zones. You need to figure out where to […] Read more
Moving on from the CTA Review
The Canadian Transportation Act has been reviewed, but changes are not finalized
The Canadian Transportation Act Review has wrapped, but it’s far from a done deal. The federal government could shelve the report, but that’s unlikely given the stakeholder interest, says Steve Pratte, policy development manager with the Canadian Canola Growers Association. It’s also unlikely that the government will implement recommendations without consulting first, he adds. In fact, Transport Minister […] Read more
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