Southern Alberta rancher Daniel Doerksen likes a certain type of cow — a functional, easy-keeper that can raise a good calf. “Our bull selection is based on raising productive females,” Daniel said during an interview at recent western Canadian beef show. Part of that strategy has been to select smaller-framed cows that should be feed […] Read more
Genetics point to ‘easy keepers’
Producers may be able to trim 10 to 15 per cent off feeding costs by selecting cattle for feed efficiency
Rail revenue control a compromise
U of S prof points out that the option was allowing other carriers on CP and CN lines
When it comes to understanding the present state of Canada’s grain transportation, it’s worth knowing a little history. Back in the late 1990s, Justice Willard Estey chaired a grain handling and transportation system review, and recommended more rail competition, including open running rights. Canadian Pacific proposed the Maximum Revenue Entitlement (MRE), otherwise known as the […] Read more
Researching root rot control in peas
Evaluating the benefits of seed treatments, soil amendments and soil tests
There’s still a lot to learn when it comes to managing root rot, especially aphanomyces. When are seed treatments most effective? Do soil amendments help? And can soil testing help farmers pick the best pea fields? Fortunately, research is underway to answer those very questions. Dr. Syama Chatterton, an Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) researcher […] Read more
Manage root rot before seeding
Saskatchewan plant disease specialist recommends good agronomy to reduce root rot
Lentil and pea growers struggling with root rot need to manage the disease before the seed is in the ground, according to Saskatchewan Agriculture’s plant disease specialist. Fusarium, pythium, and rhizoctonia are root rot pathogens long familiar to farmers. But aphanomyces is a relatively new problem, only detected in Saskatchewan in 2012. “It probably was […] Read more
VIDEO: Director of License to Farm shares thoughts on agriculture
Film encourages farmers to join discussions around food
On January 14th, SaskCanola launched License to Farm in Saskatoon. The 30-minute film aims to encourage farmers to join discussions around food production. Grainews reporter Lisa Guenther caught up with director Alexei Berteig to chat about the film and what Berteig took away from the experience.
Managing Group-2 resistant weeds in pulse crops across Western Canada
Cleavers, mustard, kochia and sow thistle are among the weeds getting harder to control, but there are methods, starting with good agronomy
Group 2 resistance is something that is really a big problem across Western Canada,” says Dr. Chris Willenborg, a researcher at the University of Saskatchewan’s plant sciences department. Willenborg has worked on several research projects that inform weed resistance in pulses. The bad news is that resistance is spreading. And the more farmers rely solely […] Read more
Be safe about your safety liability
Reporter's Notebook: Discussions of Alberta’s Bill 6 have left Prairie farmers concerned about their liability
As I write this, Bill 6 has passed its third reading in Alberta. That legislation will make workers’ compensation mandatory for paid farm employees, and subject Alberta farms to Occupational Health and Safety regulations. I hope a look at Manitoba’s situation will shed some light on the safety issues Albertans should start thinking about, and […] Read more
What’s it take to produce new pesticides?
Farmers know a lot about using pesticides. Here’s a chance to learn about how chemical companies dream them up, produce them and market them to you
Have you ever wondered how chemical companies create and launch new pesticides? How much it costs them, how they decide what it will cost you and how they come up with those names? Well, we were wondering the same thing at Grainews, so we talked to Kelly Bennett. Bennett manages Dow AgroSciences’ cereal broadleaf herbicides […] Read more
Book tour road trip
Reporter's Notebook: Lisa Guenther has been promoting her book Friendly Fire with a Prairie road trip
Some people in my family suffer from itchy feet. We tend to blame it on one ancestor, Everett Parsonage. In the 19th century, Everett settled near Fort Walsh, Saskatchewan, where he ranched with his wife, Bethea. He would set out to check cows, and then disappear for weeks. I often wonder what Bethea said to […] Read more
Building an agricultural retail business
Andy and Christina Stender have grown Crowfoot Ag from scratch to a booming retail operation
A few years ago, Andy and Christina Stender were looking for a change. The couple, who both have agronomy backgrounds, were ready to leave their jobs. They went on holidays, and when they got home, a message on their answering machine would change their career paths. Someone had called about a business opportunity. Greg Andrukow, […] Read more
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