Bernie McClean usually has a positive outlook on everything. But after three years of dealing with aphanomyces, he’s taking a break from peas. “It’s just too risky. I can’t afford the risk,” says McClean over a cup of coffee at his farm, which sits between Glaslyn and Medstead in northwestern Saskatchewan. Up until two weeks […] Read more
Aphanomyces hurting pea yield for Sask. producer
After repeated aphanomyces problems, Bernie McLean is taking a break from growing peas
Crop tour in Russia, Ukraine finds mid-sized farms under pressure
Conflict in Ukraine has left the country’s farmers in a tight spot, as they’ve told agronomist Mike Lee. Lee, who grew up in the U.K. but has managed large farms in Ukraine and worked in Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Russia, traveled 5,000 km through Ukraine and Russia in late March, evaluating winter crops and talking to farmers. […] Read more
VIDEO: Women in Ag Conference: Pt. 1
Grainews field editor interviews Gwen Paddock of RBC
When it comes to investing and financial planning, it’s important for women to be proactive. That was the message from Gwen Paddock, RBC Royal Bank’s national manager of agriculture and agri-business. Reporter Lisa Guenther caught up with Gwen at the Advancing Women West conference in Calgary to learn more.
Cost cutting with new agricultural technology
Technology is moving at a pace we couldn’t have imagined. Can it help you?
If you’ve ever wondered what the future will be like, Jack Uldrich has the answer. It will feel like you’re sitting in a driverless car for the first time as the vehicle careens around pylons and executes high-speed turns. In other words, a little nerve-wracking. Uldrich, a futurist and author, showed us a video clip […] Read more
Guenther: Farmers keep minority stake in CWB, for now
While G3 Global Grain Group is set to scoop a majority stake in CWB, grain farmers will be able to hold onto some equity in the former Canadian Wheat Board over the next seven years at the least. G3 is a new joint venture between Bunge Canada and Saudi Agricultural and Livestock Investment (SALIC) Canada, […] Read more
Higher demand, higher prices
Global equity investor says world food demand is likely on the rise
When it comes to global food consumption, there’s one trend Vikram Mansharamani is willing to bank on. “As the world gets more money in its pocket, it’s putting more meat in its mouth,” Mansharamani told attendees at the Canola Council of Canada’s conference in Banff last March. Mansharamani is a global equity investor and Yale […] Read more
Moving canola to market
We can increase our canola yields, but experts question whether we have the transportation infrastructure to get that extra production to buyers
Dr. Stephen Blank believes the Canola Council of Canada’s production goal of 52 bushels per acre by 2025 is impressive, he told delegates at the council’s recent conference in Banff, Alta. “But there’s an 800 pound gorilla in there that we haven’t talked much about,” said Blank, an expert on North American transportation infrastructure. “That’s […] Read more
Getting to 52 by 2025
The Canola Council of Canada has set an ambitious goal, calling for average on-farm yields of 52 bushels per acre
Marcus Weidler is confident that the canola industry can meet the lofty production goals set out by the Canola Council of Canada. It’s a long way from the 2014 average Canadian canola yield of 34.4 bushels per acre to 52 bu./ac. by 2025. “Yeah, it’s ambitious,” said Weidler, vice president of seed operations for Bayer […] Read more
Science can be a dirty word
The public doesn’t understand science, and reporters often don’t do a great job covering it. Not that there are good excuses, but here’s how it can happen
Science is a dirty word these days. Or perhaps just a word that more and more people don’t understand. And you should be concerned because that lack of basic scientific knowledge is driving distrust of modern agriculture. “It’s a big, big issue,” Al Scholz told me. Al is the executive director and registrar of the […] Read more
Don’t rush to diagnose winter kill
Despite this winter’s weather, you may not need to reseed that winter wheat after all
Winter wheat growers concerned about winter kill should wait and see how the plants fare this spring before reseeding, says an agrologist. “Don’t make a rash decision especially when you’ve got the rest of your farm to go seed,” says Paul Thoroughgood, who works for Ducks Unlimited and farms south of Moose Jaw. Farmers should give […] Read more
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
