In 2014, two Westlock, Alberta, farmers cut their canola seed costs by $40 per acre by seeding with corn planters. They saw no yield loss. Is this the new way to go? At a Westlock seminar last winter, agronomist Geoff Doell of GROWTH Agrinomics Inc. told farmers that seeding canola using a precision vacuum corn […] Read more
Seeding canola with planters
Two Westlock, Alberta farmers had a good harvest and saved costs after seeding their canola with a corn planter last spring
European wheat yields
Kurt and Hans Wanner farm in northern Switzerland along the German border. They consistently produce eight tonnes of wheat per hectare. The European average is six to eight tonnes per hectare, but some produce 10. The Canadian average for 2011 was 2.9 tonnes per hectare. Why do Europeans consistently out-produce the Canadians? Moisture and growing season In the 1960s, […] Read more
The right farm size
There seems to be a general consensus out there that farms, especially grain farms, need to keep getting bigger in size to be viable enterprises. Do they really always need to grow or can farmers do just as well by learning to maximize the resources they already have? It could be some of both. “By just farming and enjoying life we were going […] Read more
Farming Smarter, Not Bigger
What gives a 28-year-old the courage to play a high-stakes farming game that many say is more of a gamble than going to Las Vegas? What does he do to up the chances of his winning? What can the rest of us learn from him? Most people say they farm to live, well I live […] Read more
When Are Land Prices Too High?
My father always bought any land for sale along his farm boundaries. We often thought he was crazy to pay so much, but there wasn t a purchase he made that wasn t a smart move seen in hindsight. Most farmers could say the same thing, whether they bought or not. Today s land prices, […] Read more
Insight Into Organic Dairy Production
As more consumers are demanding naturally produced foods, several Alberta dairy producers have stepped up to the plate to convert their farms to organic. About five years ago, Alberta Milk asked farmers to consider making the switch from conventional to organic dairy farming. If they couldn t fill the demand, the board said it would […] Read more
Pros And Cons Of Robotic Milkers
What many young kids dreamed of when they were sent to the barn to milk cows has come true. With the robotic Voluntary Milking System (VMS) cows really do milk themselves. Robotic milkers, as many call them, are being seen on more dairy farms. Neil Boelman of Yoke Farm Ltd. near Westlock, Alberta (north of […] Read more
Retiring From The Farm With No Regrets
At 67, Martin Tappolet of Wilchingen, Switzerland is finally ready to retire. Twelve years ago he turned the family farm over to his son and took a full-time job in the industrial sector. Now it’s time to move on again. Letting go and moving on is something Tappolet’s good at. In l999 his son Kai […] Read more
How To Exit Farming On A High Note
Many people envy our lifestyle. To others, it must seem free and exotic. I suppose it is, as we do spend half the year overseas in Europe and Africa. Just over five years ago we were still full-time grain farmers, like most of our neighbours. We were caught up in the cycle of seeding and […] Read more
Applicants Needed For Leaders’ Program
A new program launched by the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association is looking for 16 young beef producers from across the country who have the potential to become the industry leaders of tomorrow. Through a unique mentorship program, the Canadian cattle industry is actively searching for and developing young leaders who will be able to replace retiring […] Read more
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
