When it comes to canola harvest, timing is everything, says Harry Brook, crop specialist with Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development. Farmers, he says, are mostly concerned about green seed, since green seeds contain more chlorophyll and are therefore undesirable to processors. If timing is so important, how do you know when is the right time? […] Read more
Timing the canola harvest
When it comes to bringing the canola in from the field, the right timing is crucial
How to harvest pulse crops
If you’re new to pulses or want a refresher, here are four harvest factors
With pulse crops, a successful harvest starts not long after seed goes into the ground, says Dale Risula, provincial crop specialist with the Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture. Knowing when to use land rollers, choosing a desiccant and knowing the best ways to harvest and store the crops are all key to succeeding with pulses. 1. […] Read more
Storing higher-oil canola
It’s worth more, but it’s also more fragile. Know how to keep your specialty canola safe in the bin
Since higher oil content canola has less dry matter content in each kernel than lower oil content canola, it is prone to spoiling more quickly. On top of that, last year’s record harvest, coupled with nationwide transportation issues, means that crops are sitting in storage longer than usual and causing great concern to growers. Dr. […] Read more
How to find lygus bugs
Lygus bugs can cause extensive crop damage. Scout for them in your canola crops
In recent years, high populations of lygus bugs have been reported in a large portion of Alberta, as well as in some fields in Saskatchewan and Manitoba. While lygus bugs are always present in canola fields, outbreaks of high populations can cause extensive crop damage. For the most part, canola can compensate for much of […] Read more
Controlling downy brome
This aggressive weed can be confused with fall rye. Luckily, there are several ways to keep it under control
Downy brome is a winter annual grass that is a problem in every Canadian province except Newfoundland. A prolific seed producer, it germinates in the fall and overwinters as a seedling. Come spring, it resumes growth rapidly. Generally, downy brome starts heading in late April to early May. By late April, it has an extensive, […] Read more
Lentil acres up; chickpeas down
Although transportation issues continue to dominate discussion, Marlene Boersch is positive on lentil markets for 2014
Marlene Boersch, co-founder of Mercantile Consulting Venture in Winnipeg, Man., expects to see an increase in lentil production this year, but a decrease in chickpea acreage. While both saw good production in 2013, a lack of movement in chickpeas could mean decreased acreage. On the other hand, good prices, strong movement and an oversaturated wheat […] Read more
Planning ahead for fertility
With consistently higher yields, many farmers across North America are neglecting the basics: nutrient replacement
When agrologist Matt Gosling visited Chris Dennison in New Zealand he wanted to know how Dennison had become the world record holder for wheat production. Dennison answered the question in a simple word: replacement. When it comes to soil nutrition, Gosling has a similar philosophy: farmers should be monitoring soil status and replacing the nutrients they […] Read more
RoundUp Ready 2 coming soon
Monsanto has received regulatory approval to introduce its Roundup Ready 2 Xtend soybeans, which has been stacked with dicamba. The technology itself hasn’t changed, so the product’s growing season will remain the same — for now. “It’s the germplasm that goes with the technology,” says Monsanto Canada’s corn and soybean lead, Mike Nailor. “We expect […] Read more
Bringing soybeans to the field
Soybean acreage in Manitoba and Saskatchewan has rocketed up in recent years. Most of this growth is due to Ron Gendzelevich
If you ask western Canadian farmers when soybeans were first commercially grown in Manitoba, most would probably guess sometime around 1998. But soybeans have actually been grown in Manitoba for much longer than that — since 1992. Their numbers have increased dramatically with thanks almost entirely to one man, Ron Gendzelevich, owner and President of […] Read moreBringing soybeans to the field
Soybean acreage in Manitoba and Saskatchewan has rocketed up in recent years. Most of this growth is due to Ron Gendzelevich
If you ask western Canadian farmers when soybeans were first commercially grown in Manitoba, most would probably guess sometime around 1998. But soybeans have actually been grown in Manitoba for much longer than that — since 1992. Their numbers have increased dramatically with thanks almost entirely to one man, Ron Gendzelevich, owner and President of […] Read moreCyber-Savvy Farmer
