Pushing marginal land into grain production may add up to short-term gains when grain prices crest. But it comes with risks, too. “I would have some grave concerns about the notion of bringing marginal land back into annual grain production,” says Dr. Reynald Lemke, research scientist with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. Lemke examines how farming […] Read more
Farming your marginal land
Pulling marginal acres into production may look like an attractive proposition. But there are strings attached
MIG and Stick welding require different techniques
Grainews field editor Lisa Guenther and an expert from Miller Electric look at the basic differences between running a bead with a MIG and Stick welder
To be honest, growing up on a farm I was a lot more interested in the animal side of things than the iron. So this year’s Canada’s Farm Progress Show gave me a chance to educate myself a little about all that big, high-tech machinery. And, thanks to Justin Elliott, one of the experts at […] Read more
Persistence key for market access to China, Vilsack says
San Antonio | Grainews –– Gaining market access to China may come down to persistence and patience, U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack told reporters at Commodity Classic in San Antonio. Achieving market access to China has been easier said than done for the U.S. at times. China has turned back over 600,000 tonnes of U.S. […] Read more
Common, sustainable trade competition policy needed for N.A.
Economist says strong North American leaders are the missing key to better trade
The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) has bumped investment and trade in North America since its implementation, but more needs to be done to boost the region’s competiveness, an economist told delegates at the Canola Council of Canada’s conference in San Antonio in late February. “Trade and investment flows in North America have been […] Read more
Guenther: Wheat + Chaff
Editor’s note: I am still the editor of Grainews, but I’ve given this page over to our field editor Lisa Guenther for this issue. As you saw on our cover, Lisa’s been looking into the transportation fiasco. She has some well-researched, timely opinions that I wanted to highlight at the very front. — Leeann Minogue […] Read more
Black Sea tensions stoke concerns over grain exports
Chicago | Grainews — Rising tension over increased Russian military presence in the Crimean peninsula has elevated concern in the western grain trade over exports in the near term. “The concerns about exporting wheat and corn definitely are a short-term issue here that could delay some of the shipments out of that region of the […] Read more
Saddle up
Demand for better quality food in Asia creates major opportunity, growth
If you’re wondering where the opportunities are in the global food economy, you need to follow the fast food joints, says an agricultural economist. A new McDonald’s pops up in a typical day in China, as does a Kentucky Fried Chicken. These quick service restaurants need a steady supply of safe, uniform food, such as […] Read more
Brandon distributor imports U.K. subsoilers
The Sumo brand of subsoilers, which are built in the U.K. may soon see manufacturing in North America
In the past couple of years, farmers in some regions have found a need to address soil compaction in their fields. Some have now added a subsoiler to their equipment fleet to do that. Seeing an increased demand for subsoilers, Hepson Equipment of Brandon, Manitoba, now imports the Sumo brand, which originates in the U.K. […] Read more
Cheerios maker not taking all products GM-free
General Mills still supports genetically modified (GM) technology, despite the food company’s move to market Cheerios as free of GM ingredients, a company representative told CropSphere delegates Tuesday in Saskatoon. “From General Mills’ perspective, we want to do what consumers are anticipating and wanting,” Steve Peterson responded when asked about the company’s GM-free Cheerios. Peterson […] Read more
New fungicides for 2014
Companies released several new fungicides in 2013, and have been seeking new uses for existing products. Bayer CropScience launched two new products in 2013. One fungicide, Serenade CPB, leans on microbes to control disease. Lipopeptides, which are molecules produced by bacteria, punch thousands of holes in the fungal cell membranes. This destroys the fungus. The […] Read more
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
