Crops & Production Tips

This field trial at Clayton Harder Farms near Winnipeg, Man., illustrates the impact of starter P on a canola crop. The right side had phosphorus and sulfur fertilizer applied in the seed row at planting and the left side did not.

How to make P management more sustainable

Phosphorus deficits are a problem on many Prairie farms. A Manitoba crop nutrition expert explains why — and has suggestions for what can help

By Mark Halsall March 26, 2024

Phosphorus has always been an essential nutrient in crop production. Maintaining the right P balance — ensuring there’s enough of it to sufficiently feed crops, but not too much of it so it runs off fields or seeps away to contaminate water bodies — is an ongoing challenge for Prairie farmers. Manitoba crop nutrition expert […] Read more

Crops, General

Hemp sector disappointed new report ignores deregulation

By Robert Arnason, GFM Network News March 25, 2024

Leaders in Canada’s hemp industry were hoping an expert committee would recommend significant changes to hemp regulations so it could be treated the same as wheat, canola and other crops. That didn’t happen. Instead, the committee of experts reviewing the Cannabis Act barely mentioned hemp in its 91 page report published March 21.

Some of the seed storage at Barenbrug in the Netherlands.

Cattleman’s Corner, Features, Forages

An EU forage tour shows value of seed science

Farmers should make sure to take advantage of advances in forage varieties

By Sean McGrath March 24, 2024

I was given the unique opportunity to participate in a forage tour in the Netherlands and France hosted by Union Forage last August. This was a fantastic chance to see new developments but also to put boots on the ground and see what drives the forage industry in Europe and globally. It was reiterated over […] Read more

The older the seed, the greater the loss of vigour and germination will be.

Columns, Crops, Practical Tips

Saving your own crop seed

Don't just assume two- or three-year-old seed, or even last year's seed, will still be viable

By Ieuan Evans March 23, 2024

Look before you leap! Check your seed before you plant. Before getting into the topic of saving your own seed, whether it be cereals or legumes or any crop except for canola, I talked to several consultants and seed growers. Their answers were that few growers use all-new seed every year. These few exceptions actually […] Read more

Canadian breeding programs have developed sainfoin varieties such as AAC Mountainview and AAC Glenview.

Features, Forages

Pastures, hayland get a leg up with legumes

Climate program funds allow Canadian-bred non-bloating legumes such as sainfoin to gain ground

By Heather Smith Thomas March 22, 2024

A former Alberta provincial forage and livestock business specialist, now working with seed supplier Union Forage, Grant Lastiwka has studied forages in grazing systems for a long time. Over that time, he’s found certain legumes can bring net benefits to pastures and forage stands — significant enough to outweigh the potential drawbacks. Eleven years ago, […] Read more

Planting perennial forages in ditches is recommended to help keep kochia from getting a toehold.

Crops, Features

Weed alerts on the southern front

A North Dakota weed expert cautions Prairie farmers about kochia, waterhemp and Palmer amaranth and their evolving herbicide tolerances

By Mark Halsall March 21, 2024

Of all the things shared by Prairie farmers on both sides of the Canada-U.S. border, an abiding love of their land, fretting over the weather and a no-nonsense, ‘get ‘er done’ attitude are among those that come to mind. Unfortunately, this also includes weed problems. Weeds know no borders, of course, so when weed trouble […] Read more

Crops, Markets

Tightening canola ending stocks for 2024/25: AAFC

By GFM Network News March 20, 2024

Canadian canola ending stocks will likely be tighter by the close of the upcoming 2024/25 marketing year, while the wheat carryout should rise, according to updated supply/demand estimates from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC), released March 19.

Crucifer flea beetles, shown here on cabbage, are considered by growers to be among the greatest economic risks to canola crops.

Canola, Crops, Features

Canola’s least wanted

Experts discuss pests and pathogens canola growers will want to watch for in 2024

By Jim Timlick March 20, 2024

Flea beetles pose one of the greatest risks to yields for canola growers in Western Canada. A 2022 survey conducted on behalf of the Canola Council of Canada bore that out. Some 91 per cent of growers who participated in the survey identified flea beetles as the greatest economic risk to their crops. That’s likely […] Read more

Crops, General

Pesticides under fire in U.S.

Recent court decisions have threatened farmers' abilities to use some herbicides

By GFM Network News March 15, 2024

Pesticides are increasingly under attack in the United States and that is keeping farm leaders awake at night.

front view of a geringhoff truflex razor header mounted on a claas combine

Crops, Equipment, Machinery

TruFlex Razor Draper header a “premium” design

Geringhoff header's features include air system, hydraulic drive, maximum flex

By Scott Garvey March 14, 2024

One of the European implement brands that have set up shop in North America in recent decades is Geringhoff, a combine header manufacturer based in Germany — and it’s offering Canadian producers a draper model its western Canadian territory manager, Lucas Haas, calls a premium design. Geringhoff’s TruFlex Razor Draper header offers some unique features […] Read more

Daily Network News

New strategies needed for Canadian agriculture to stand out in global trade

Feed Grains Weekly: Cash prices for wheat, barley largely flat

The Canadian GMO mustard wars: Dijon vs canola

Crops