Ron Silvernagle may be in his early 80s, but he still likes to pitch in to help out on the family farm near Biggar, Sask., during busy times like harvest. He’s also an inventor of sorts, and like a lot of farmers, he enjoys spending time in the workshop figuring out ways to improve the […] Read more
Sask. farmer improves combine safety
Invention guards against falls
The problem with field overlap
Excess nutrient applications in these areas waste fertilizer dollars and can lead to crop losses and environmental damage
There are lots of reasons why the traffic patterns of farm equipment can overlap in a field. The field could be an odd shape, there may be a stream cutting across it, or large obstacles like hydro towers have to be driven around. If this happens while you’re applying fertilizer, nutrients can build up in […] Read more
Trimble, Horsch to launch self-propelled sprayer
Various configurations and boom widths will be available
Trimble, a precision ag technology provider, is teaming up with ag equipment manufacturer Horsch to introduce a new, self-propelled crop protection sprayer. The sprayer relies on sensor data and GNSS (global navigation satellite system) to navigate around fields. While it does require an operator to be on board, the vehicle has automated steering and speed […] Read more
Safe bets for intercrop mixes
An experienced Saskatchewan farmer shares how two intercrop mixes have provided several benefits for his operation
Intercropping has been used for ages by farmers around the world as a way to boost overall crop production. With monocultures now dominating Prairie farms, you don’t see much of it these days. However, that could change as regenerative agriculture practices like intercropping continue to gain a foothold in Western Canada. Colin Rosengren is a […] Read more
New investment model provides capital for land acquisitions and farmland improvement
With investments from Area One Farms, an Alberta farmer expands his operation so his kids and their families can return home to farm
It was seven or so years ago that Kurt Cole realized he needed a bigger farm. Three of his five daughters and their families wanted to return home to farm with Cole, so the Alberta grain producer started searching for a way to raise $7 million — the price tag for some nearby land belonging […] Read more
How IoT technology can help you make better farm decisions
A connected network of sensors, soil probes and in-field weather stations can deliver detailed data that’s accurate and up to the minute
There’s lots of talk these days around the “connected farm” and the growing slate of tools to help producers boost productivity, increase efficiencies and reduce risks on their farms. An important aspect of this technology is IoT or internet of things. IoT allows interconnected devices to measure many kinds of agronomic variables and relay this […] Read more
Tips to reduce your farm risk
Tools include equipment breakdown and business interruption insurance and safety hazard assessments
There’s no shortage of risks when you grow crops for a living. As a farmer, you’re accustomed to coping with weather extremes, weed resistance, disease outbreaks, insect infestations and other threats to your hard-earned yields. But are you doing enough to manage other risks, like safety hazards on your farm or essential equipment breakdowns? Farm […] Read more
Expand your VRT toolset
Could variable-rate irrigation or variable-rate desiccation boost production or profits on your farm?
Nutrient applications typically come to mind first when you think about variable-rate technology (VRT). But as precision ag expert and variable-rate pioneer Dennis Bulani points out, there are many ways you can use variable-rate technology to boost production and the profitability of your farm. Bulani has been a staunch proponent of variable-rate farming ever since […] Read more
Soil tests more valuable than ever
This is the year you might see a big payback from spring soil sampling
Oftentimes, finding the right formula for applying fertilizer can be a delicate balancing act for farmers. Apply too much or in the wrong place, you’ve wasted some money. Apply too little or not where it’ll benefit most, and you can lose money by failing to maximize your yield potential. And as soil fertility expert Don […] Read more
New herbicides for 2022
Options to deal with existing and emerging weed issues and the rising threat of herbicide resistance
As notorious yield robbers, weeds have always been one of farmers’ biggest headaches, and swelling herbicide-resistant weed populations have made weeds an even bigger problem. To help producers deal with existing and emerging weeds and the rising resistance threat, new herbicide solutions are released every year. Here’s a look at some new products coming to […] Read more
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
