Crops
A U.S. propane industry group is touting the concept of injecting steam into soil to kill weed seeds, but other research shows difficulties in heating soil to a high enough temperature to kill weed seeds with a mobile implement.
Crops
Using steam as a weed control alternative to chemicals
Two application methods highlight efficacy rates and cost differences
European seed firms hope lupins catch on in Prairie pulse rotations
Lupin could be a formidable feed option with its amino acid and fibre content
Lupins, not yet a crop of choice for farmers on the Canadian Prairies, outpace field peas and faba beans in terms of protein and starch level ratios, with up to 40 per cent protein and six per cent starch.
Ongoing research on chickpea-flax intercrop shows the mix reduces ascochyta blight
The intercrop works for reducing the disease, but Michelle Hubbard, an Agricutlure and Agri-Food Canada researcher, is still working on the why
Michelle Hubbard, an Agricutlure and Agri-Food Canada researcher, says chickpea-flax intercrop works to reduce ascochyta blight disease. She shares some theories on why.
New fertilizer product aims to reduce tie-up, improve soil health
Vancouver-area company’s PhoSul product combines rock phosphate, sulphur and silica
PhoSul, a new phosphorus fertilizer combining rock phosphate, sulfur, and silica to reduce nutrient tie-up and improve soil health, was launched into the Canadian crop market at Ag in Motion 2025.
Feed Grains Weekly: Price likely to keep stepping back
Expected to drop passed last year’s lows
As the harvest in southern Alberta presses on, a broker said that is one of the factors pulling feed prices lower in the region. Darcy Haley, vice-president of Ag Value Brokers in Lethbridge, added that lower cattle numbers in feedlots, plentiful amounts of grass for cattle to graze and a lacklustre export market also weighed on feed prices.
Prairie Wheat Weekly: Prices mostly lower
StatCan projects less wheat in 2025/26
Cash prices for spring wheat and durum across the Canadian Prairies incurred losses almost across the board during the week ended Aug. 28.
John Deere balers get weave automation
The manufacturer’s 1 Series balers get additional features for 2026
John Deere’s 1 Series round balers for 2026 will include an automated weaving hitch that oscillates the unit over a windrow to better form a “square-shouldered” round bale.
Verticillium may undermine canola blackleg resistance
Verticillium stripe may compromise blackleg resistance protection in canola, new research out of Manitoba suggests
University of Manitoba research finds verticillium stripe in canola can break down blackleg resistance, creating challenges for disease management and yield protection on the Prairies.
Saskatchewan harvest lags behind
Wet weather limits progress in some areas
At 12 per cent complete as of Aug. 25, harvest progress in Saskatchewan was well behind the five-year average of 25 per cent finished, the provincial agriculture department reported. Rain and thunderstorms hampered harvesting in some areas of Saskatchewan.
More canola, a bit less wheat in 2025/26 says StatCan
Mixed projections for other cereals, oilseed, pulses
Canadian farmers are forecast to harvest more canola in 2025/26, while there’s to be less wheat, Statistics Canada said in its crop production report on Aug. 28.
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