Farmers struggling with excess residue, moisture, or compaction are experimenting with various forms of tillage. But many questions remain about how to best use the equipment on the market today. In the fall of 2014, the Buitenhuis and Baillargeon families ran a tillage demo at their farm near Edam, Sask. They ran seven different tillage units, plus used a […] Read more
Investing in vertical tillage tools
Soil Management: When it comes to vertical tillage, there is no "one size fits all" for every job
VIDEO: The potential for post-harvest weed control in Western Canada
From the International Weed Resistance Summit
With machines like the Harrington Seed Destructor grabbing international headlines, many in Canada wonder whether post-harvest weed control could be the answer to herbicide resistance. Breanne Tidemann, a Ph.D. student at the University of Alberta, decided to find out. Lisa Guenther caught up with Tidemann at the Herbicide Resistance Summit in Saskatoon this March to […] Read more
VIDEO: Herbicide resistance spreading in Western Canada
From the International Weed Resistance Summit
At the Herbicide Resistance Summit this past March, Dr. Hugh Beckie presented the results of the latest weed survey in Saskatchewan. Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada researchers hadn’t finished screening for herbicide resistance. But Beckie expects to see herbicide-resistant weeds on over 50 per cent of cultivated land in Saskatchewan, he told Grainews reporter Lisa Guenther. […] Read more
VIDEO: Canada ranks high in global herbicide resistance ratings
From the International Weed Resistance Summit
Saskatoon hosted the International Weed Resistance Summit this March. Speakers at the conference delivered a dose of reality on the growing herbicide resistance program. One of those speakers was Dr. Ian Heap, who leads the International Survey of Herbicide-Resistant Weeds. Grainews reporter Lisa Guenther teamed up with Robin Booker of The Western Producer to cover the […] Read more
Four tips for talking to journalists
Here's what you need to know before talking to reporters about your farm situation
As a reporter, a big part of my job is getting farmers to talk to me. In this column, I’m going to tell you why you might want to think twice about being interviewed. Or, if you decide to talk to a journalist, what you need to know. Before tapping out this column, I spoke […] Read more
Debate: Sask. ag leaders seek rail response
If there’s one thing all Saskatchewan’s political parties can agree on, it’s that the current rail system isn’t working for grain producers — but there’s less consensus on the solutions. Transportation is the single most important issue facing grain growers in Saskatchewan right now, said Cathy Sproule, the provincial New Democrats’ ag critic, during an […] Read more
Debate: Sask. farmers aim to bridge digital gap
Infrastructure has always been top of mind for many rural Saskatchewan residents — but rural infrastructure needs in 2016 can’t all be met with gravel, graders and culverts. With a provincial election around the corner, improving digital and cellular service was a focal point in an ag leaders’ debate held in Saskatoon Tuesday. The Why […] Read more
Grid soil sampling best for prediction
Cavalier Agrow agronomist says grid soil sampling trumps satellite imagery
Farmers who want to move into precision farming should focus less on satellite imagery and more on what’s happening under the soil’s surface, according to an agronomist. Bennie Dunhin is the agronomy manager at Cavalier Agrow, an ag retailer based in north-western Saskatchewan. Dunhin, who originally hails from South Africa, holds an MSc. in plant […] Read more
Benefit from boards
Serving on a board can bring personal gains
This spring marks the end of my term as president of the Canadian Farm Writers’ Federation, and the end of my time on that board. The federation counts ag journalists and communications professionals among its ranks. The Federation offers several interesting professional development opportunities to members. It also has an annual awards program and financial […] Read more
8 tips to running your own crop trials
Tired of adapting other people's research to your farm? Get your own
Every acre can be a research acre, Nicole Philp told farmers at Saskatoon’s CropSphere in January. Farmers interested in testing new products and practices can create powerful data sets with a little co-ordination, said Philp, a Canola Council of Canada agronomist. But how can you make sure you get good data out of your on-farm […] Read more
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
