Crops & Production Tips

Corn, Corn Production Guide, Guides, Weather

How rain posed mixed blessings for this year’s corn

In the early-season moisture, corn plants' roots didn't bother to dig deep

By Jim Timlick October 25, 2024

Some Manitoba corn growers could be feeling a little more anxious than usual in the weeks ahead as they prepare for harvest. Many southern portions of the province received above-average rainfall amounts this spring, which has turned out to be a mixed blessing for corn producers in the region. While those rains helped promote early […] Read more

Louise Carduner marks a kernel and then counts the rows during a Manitoba-Saskatchewan one-woman corn crop tour.

Corn, Corn Production Guide, Guides

Corn crop estimates, the old-school way

Apps and satellite services have digitalized the job, but many still prefer to estimate crops up close and personal

By Ed White October 25, 2024

Glacier FarmMedia — When it comes to estimating corn crops, Louise Carduner knows there’s an app for that. But she isn’t about to use it. “These are the nicest ears I’ve seen,” Carduner burst out enthusiastically while stripping a fat cob of corn in a field bordering the Red River just north of the U.S. […] Read more

A selection of Proven Seed corn varieties — including PV 60474RIB, due out for the 2025 growing season, at right — at Nutrien Ag Solutions' plot at Ag in Motion in July.

Corn, Corn Production Guide, Guides

Select the right corn hybrids for your fields

Consider a hybrid that has the most genetic potential to meet yield goals while managing production stressors

By Jeanine Moyer October 25, 2024

Glacier FarmMedia — Corn seed is arguably one of a farmer’s greatest input investments each year, making the selection of the right hybrid mix an increasingly important task. “The most yield potential a crop has is when the seed goes into the ground,” says Paul Sullivan, CCA with Sullivan Agro Inc. “After that, stresses like […] Read more

The John Deere 535 baler that burned at the Eppich farm.

Cattleman’s Corner, Columns, Equipment, Hay

Counting one’s blessings after our baler burns

Eppich News: A baler fire is a reminder to be prepared and understand what to do in an emergency

By Heather Eppich October 24, 2024

On Sept. 5, our John Deere 535 baler went up in smoke. It is a big hit for our small operation, but we have much to be thankful for. As farmers we do dangerous things every day. Every day we are just going to go swath the wheat, or we are just going to combine, […] Read more

Crops, Markets

Manitoba harvest nearly done, only corn/sunflowers left

By Phil Franz-Warkentin October 24, 2024

Harvest operations across Manitoba are nearly complete, with only sunflowers and corn still left to come off the fields, according to the latest provincial crop report for the week ended Oct. 22.

In-bin and dedicated grain dryer systems have different capabilities, according to an Alberta research study.

Crops, Equipment, Machinery

How to choose between an in-bin or dedicated grain drying system

It all depends on your objectives, expert says

By Scott Garvey October 24, 2024

With short seasons and what seems like increasingly unpredictable weather patterns these days, many growers now routinely using grain drying systems to add a little time to the harvest window. But for those considering an investment in a grain drying system, how do you choose which one is right for your farm? Producers can opt […] Read more

Detail from the front of the CBOT building in Chicago. (Vito Palmisano/iStock/Getty Images)

Corn, Markets, Soybeans, Spring Wheat, Winter Wheat

CBOT Weekly: Corn, soybeans rising, wheat slipping

By Adam Peleshaty October 23, 2024

Corn and soybean prices rose at the Chicago Board of Trade during the week ended Oct. 23, 2024. However, wheat prices went lower during the same week.

Canola, Crops, Markets, Soybeans

ICE Weekly: Production uncertainty, forthcoming Chinese action fueling canola’s upswing

January contracts climbs $36/tonne

By Glen Hallick - MarketsFarm October 23, 2024

Buyers for China and others scooping up as much canola as they can, fueling hike in Intercontinetal Exchange canola futures.

TAP program participants at a recent event at Enderlin, N.D., west of Fargo, check out a Montag fertilizer application unit, designed for use in reduced-tillage and cover cropping systems.

Crops

Soil health training served on TAP for Prairie agronomists

North Dakota's Trusted Advisor Partnership (TAP) program coming north to Manitoba, Saskatchewan

By Jim Timlick October 22, 2024

A program designed to provide agronomists with practical soil health knowledge — and a peer sharing network on the subject — will soon be establishing roots in Manitoba and Saskatchewan. The Canadian Prairies Trusted Advisor Partnership (TAP) plans to launch its first cohort of about 15 agronomists in January 2025. It will serve as a […] Read more

A calf chows down on sorghum on John Griffin’s south-central Saskatchewan ranch.

Crops, Features, Forages

Sorghum sudangrass may help soil beat back diseases

The crop’s benefits for farmers are piling up, but be aware of some drawbacks, experts say

By Jeff Melchior October 18, 2024

Researchers have found potential in sorghum sudangrass — a hybrid of sorghum varieties — as a fungal disease-fighting, soil-enriching grass for cover crops. Although the research was conducted in Prince Edward Island, some say there may be applications for Western Canada as well — including potential as highly-nutritious cattle feed. Two Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada […] Read more

Daily Network News

CBOT Weekly: USDA predicts declines in planting intentions

Protein Industries Canada funds Saskatchewan pulse ingredient project

February canola crush up from 2025, StatCan reports