In late July, I flew to Nebraska to get an idea of what the ag industry looks like in that state. Before I even left my hotel in Omaha, I had my first clue. The Omaha World-Herald ran a front-page story on the $12 billion ag aid package with a rhyming headline. “Farmers: Thanks for […] Read more
Reporter’s Notebook: Times are changing everywhere
Corn, soybeans and a changing society on the other side of the border
Reporter’s Notebook: Keeping community volunteers engaged
Many rural activities facilities and activities are run by volunteers. Keep yours happy
Volunteers power many facilities and services in our communities. What motivates people to volunteer and how can non-profit boards engage their volunteer corps? I spoke to two women, from different rural communities in different provinces. Both have experience as board members and in the volunteer corps. Because I wanted them to speak openly without creating […] Read more
Extending rotations, in the field
Part 1 of 3: How real farmers are extending their rotations
There seems to be no shortage of articles, presentations and research exhorting farmers to lengthen rotations. Longer rotations benefit everything from weed control to disease suppression in crops. But what are farmers doing to maintain or extend rotations? Grainews spoke to three farmers to find out how they’re managing their rotations. And while each farmer […] Read more
Reporter’s Notebook: How will we be farming in 20 years?
Lisa Guenther points to two agronomic problems shaping our future cropping plans
Agriculture has undergone big changes in the last century. Yesterday’s farmers would be amazed by the technology contained in a tractor and seeder these days, or by the vaccines that protect livestock from disease. Or even by the phones we tuck into our back pockets, and occasionally drop in the muck. It’s an interesting exercise […] Read more
Consider canola crop’s potential yield before spraying
As July approaches and crop canopies close, sclerotinia will be on the minds of many canola growers. But will it pay to spray? Fungicide applications are more likely to be profitable when the canola hits 30-40 bushels per acre, said Colleen Redlick, senior technical development specialist at BASF. Justine Cornelsen, agronomy specialist with the Canola […] Read more
A mix of new and old makes it work
Farm Progress Show: Something old, something new. Farmers use a mix of machinery to make things work
Farming is a mix of tradition and innovation, and the machinery you’ll find on farms reflects that mix. That machinery is also a tangible record of how the machinery industry and farming practices have evolved over the decades. “As far as I’m concerned, it’s an exciting time to be farming,” says Ray Donald. “It’s exciting […] Read more
Finding a use for wheat with fusarium
North West Bio-Energy has been turning wheat into ethanol since 2009
Got fusarium? Chances are North West Terminal in Unity, Sask., can use that wheat. Next door to the terminal is a bioproducts plant, which is run by North West Terminal’s sister company, North West Bio-Energy. Since 2009, North West Bio-Energy has been producing ethanol. Today it also produces industrial-grade alcohol. The distillation process can handle […] Read more
What grain customers want to know about Canadian wheat
From gluten to glyphosate: what end users want to know about our wheat
Customers in far-flung places such as Japan may seem far removed from a western Canadian farm. But those customers are keenly interested in how Canadian wheat and durum is grown and handled before it arrives at their mills, bakeries, or other processing facilities. In fact, Japanese bakers are quite aware of different Canadian wheat varieties, […] Read more
Reporter’s Notebook: A Grainews reporter’s spring travels
From Griffin to Gimli, Lisa Guenther hit the highway to gather new information
In mid-April, I packed my car and headed south. At home, there was still enough snow to Ski-doo. For several hours I drove through intermittent garbage weather (snow in the north and sleet or rain in the south). For two days, I stayed with Leeann Minogue’s family near Griffin, Sask. While there I visited the […] Read more
Reporter’s Notebook: Idealizing a particular view of a culture
When you romanticize what you don’t understand, disappointment is inevitable
I learned a new word this week. “Indianthusiasm,” a term coined by author and professor Hartmut Lutz, describes people (often German) who have an exaggerated, ahistorical, romantic infatuation with North America’s First Nations people. This was just one gem among many in Canadian author Drew Hayden Taylor’s short documentary, Searching for Winnetou. Winnetou is a […] Read more
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
