In early February, Dutch sprayer manufacturer Agrifac introduced an updated version of its Condor Endurance, the Condor Endurance II, at a launch event in Steenwijk, the Netherlands. Company director Peter Millenaar says since their launch in 2015 the original Condors now have some 18.5 million acres under their belts, and the new model encompasses Agrifac’s […] Read more
Agrifac launches the Condor Endurance II sprayer
Dutch manufacturer updates its SP sprayer with enhanced spraying ability
Managing herbicide-resistant waterhemp in Manitoba
The weed’s movement into Manitoba calls for more vigilant field scouting
Waterhemp was found for the first time in Manitoba in 2016, southeast of Winnipeg in the area around the RM of Taché. The discovery led to the establishment of a waterhemp surveillance program led by Manitoba Agriculture in 2017. More waterhemp was found at a second site closer to the U.S. border. In both circumstances, […] Read more
Are you limiting your canola’s potential?
First, choose a yield target. Then figure out how you can get your crop there
Fertility is the first thing that usually comes to mind when thinking about canola yield targets, but should it be? Deciding how you’re going to get there when you don’t know where you’re going is like putting the cart before the horse. Warren Ward, agronomist with the Canola Council of Canada, says growers need to […] Read more
Planting canola with precision
Researchers working to develop canola agronomy with precision planters
As more and more Western Canadian growers move into soybeans and invest in precision planters, there’s increasing interest in adapting those planters for other crops as well, like canola. Can precision planters be used to grow canola better, and if so, how? Farming Smarter Research Manager Mike Gretzinger set out to answer the agronomic questions […] Read more
Manitoba soybeans not responding to K?
Soybean potassium fertility trials leave researchers scratching their heads
While it has generally been known that Manitoba’s lighter-textured soils are low in potassium, it took soybeans to really bring the issue to light. With soybeans taking up more and more acres, researchers felt it was time to conduct potassium fertility trials. While preliminary results are in, results are mixed. More data will be needed […] Read more
AAFC projects focus on aphanomyces root rot in pulse crops
Good management practices still the best way to control aphanomyces in the field
While improving management practices and reducing risk factors are still the best ways to avoid root rot in pulse crops, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) researchers hope to find other tools. Syama Chatterton, an AAFC research scientist whose areas of expertise include diseases in pulse crops and soil borne diseases, is working on research projects that focus […] Read more
Parasitoids help control sawfly
Researchers are evaluating the value of wheat stem sawfly’s natural predators
Wheat stem sawfly can cause major yield losses. Scientists are investigating parasitoids, small wasps and nematodes, as well as fungi that can be used to control the pest. Héctor Cárcamo, research scientist at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada has been conducting research on beneficial insects that attack wheat stem sawfly larvae. Sawfly, said Cárcamo, has a […] Read more
Managing aphanomyces and root rot
2017 survey results showed a high prevalence of root rot in Prairie pulse crops
Root rot is a soil-borne disease that affects the roots of developing peas and lentils. Root rot can infect crops at any stage, and once it sets in there is no way of stopping the infection. Saskatchewan Pulse crop advisor Sherrilyn Phelps advises growers on best prevention practices. Disease prevention Proper rotation is important. Peas […] Read more
Patience pays with bertha armyworm
Experts recommend holding the spray until you scout, and counting beneficial bugs
Late last summer, a canola field heavily infested with bertha armyworm in western Manitoba created a lot of fuss on Twitter, proving, yet again, just how localized population spikes can be in some areas. While sudden population spikes can cause panic, experts recommend that growers only take measures after they’ve got a good handle on […] Read more
Why was 2017 an unprecedented year for diamondback moth?
Reviewing economic thresholds and action plans to control this insect pest
Last year’s growing season was a freakish one for diamondback moth in Western Canada, and while the probability that an outbreak of this calibre will be seen in 2018 is very low, the possibility is always there. Knowing what to do and when to act can help you to get this insect pest under better […] Read more
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