To tweet or not to tweet? That is a question some of you may be pondering. On the one hand, there are more farmers on Twitter than gophers in Saskatchewan. And scientists and researchers. And specialists with chemical, seed and fertilizer companies. And government officials, grain traders, media. The whole ag sector is there. Twitter […] Read more
To tweet or not to tweet
Twitter can be overwhelming for new users. Find out whose tweets you should be following, what to tweet about and the etiquette rules to live by
Vessels kept waiting at port
Port Metro Vancouver is on track to break movement records, despite supply chain problems
Mark Hemmes is cautiously optimistic about grain transportation this year, he told CropSphere delegates in Saskatoon in January. The transportation system has set records for grain volumes moved, he said, and generally things are back in balance. But vessel line-ups at port are still a concern, he said, especially in Vancouver. “They’re running out of anchorage […] Read more
Farm reporting has its charms
For Lisa Guenther, farm reporting is more than just a job
Back when I was a teenager brimming with that special too-cool-for-you attitude, my friends’ mom tried to impart some basic agricultural knowledge. While chauffeuring us in the summer, she’d quiz us on the crop type in the fields as we whipped by. My friends, who were growing up on a grain farm, were pretty adept […] Read more
Running a ranch of her own
It’s not new for women to be involved in agriculture. Lisa Guenther’s grandmother was ranching on her own in Saskatchewan in 1959
When my grandmother, Mary Guenther, was 30 years old, her life changed drastically. Mary and her husband, Chuck, were ranching south of Maple Creek, Sask., and raising six kids. In 1959, Chuck’s tractor rolled, killing him, and Mary was widowed. But instead of giving up and moving to town, she kept on ranching. My grandmother […] Read more
Reviewing the CTA
The Canada Transportation Act is under review. Prairie farm associations are sending their views about grain transportation to the review panel
The Canada Transportation Act (CTA) Review “is a critical moment in time,” Robynne Anderson told delegates at Saskatoon’s CropSphere in mid-January. Anderson was speaking for the Prairie Oat Growers Association (POGA). It’s also a chance to create a more fair, equitable and transparent system, said Anderson, founder of Emerging Ag, an issues management and communications […] Read more
Short rail lines still in the picture
Short lines are still a vibrant part of rail transport, and contrary to popular belief, producer cars are more popular now than they ever were
Many rural communities have watched their infrastructure disappear. Rail lines have been ripped out and country elevators demolished. But some have stemmed the loss by buying short-lines from the national railways and investing in producer car facilities. Contrary to popular belief, producer cars are more popular than ever, says Ron Shymanski, chairman of Torch River […] Read more
Three things to know about fababeans
Fababeans are making a comeback in Alberta. Here's what you need to think about before you grow them
Clubroot is driving a renewed interest in fababeans among Alberta farmers, says Harvey Brink, a farmer in the Bentley, Alberta, area. Farmers need another crop to add to the rotation, he says, “because having a short rotation with canola, that just doesn’t work because of the clubroot.” Carol Holt, a business agronomist with Parkland Fertilizer […] Read more
Fababeans in northeastern Sask.
The fababeans pictured above belong to Brett Casavant, who farms near Tisdale in north-eastern Saskatchewan. 2014 was Casavant’s first year growing fababeans. He grew a low-tannin variety called taboar. Casavant says they yielded around 70 bushels per acre, including dockage. He says they might wash out to the low to mid 60s once dockage is accounted […] Read more
Building new farm leadership
Farmers need a strong voice, but getting new farmers into leadership roles is easier said than done
Farmers need a stronger voice in the supply chain to balance the commercial system. That’s what Dr. Brian Oleson told delegates at Fields on Wheels in December. Oleson specializes in co-operatives and marketing at the University of Manitoba. Oleson saw the Canadian Wheat Board as the farmer representative in the supply chain, he told delegates. […] Read more
Farmers say some low-quality grain grades inconsistent
Grain quality has taken a beating from hail, moisture and disease. Now some farmers report facing uneven wheat and durum grading at the elevator
Some farmers are still hurting from a poor growing season and harvest at elevators this winter, as they struggle with inconsistent grading. “The condition of this year’s durum crop leaves a lot to be desired,” Jim Wickett said. Wickett farms near Rosetown, Sask., and sits on the Western Standards Committee, which makes recommendations to the Canadian […] Read more
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
