Features & Production Tips

Western farmers watching PGR

Several plant growth regulators are now on offer. Farmer Panel members we interviewed aren’t jumping in with both feet, but they are watching research results

By Lee Hart February 11, 2015

Not all western Canadian farmers are lining up to be among the first testing the effectiveness of plant growth regulators (PGRs) on their farms this year. Producers contacted for the February Farmer Panel says they are interested in the potential of the treatment that can help reduce lodging in cereals and perhaps increase yields, but […] Read more

Cereals, Features

Short rail lines still in the picture

Short lines are still a vibrant part of rail transport, and contrary to popular belief,  producer cars are more popular now than they ever were

By Lisa Guenther February 10, 2015

Many rural communities have watched their infrastructure disappear. Rail lines have been ripped out and country elevators demolished. But some have stemmed the loss by buying short-lines from the national railways and investing in producer car facilities. Contrary to popular belief, producer cars are more popular than ever, says Ron Shymanski, chairman of Torch River […] Read more

Canola, Features

PCR tests for clubroot in canola

Early clubroot infection is difficult to detect with the naked eye. But a PCR test will do the job 

By Melanie Epp February 10, 2015

Clubroot is an interesting disease. It is neither virus nor bacteria; it is not a plant or an animal. It is, in fact, a protist. What are protists? Protists are a large, diverse group of organisms; they are all eukaryotic (meaning their cells contain a nucleus and other organelles enclosed within membranes), and many are […] Read more

Features, Soybeans

Seed decay in Prairie soybeans

Phomopsis seed decay is the number one soybean problem in Ontario.  Now it’s this disease-causing fungi may be coming to a field near you

By Melanie Epp February 9, 2015

Phomopsis seed decay is the No. 1 problem in soybeans in Ontario, says Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food plant pathologist Albert Tenuta. “The Prairie provinces are also starting to see some phomopsis issues as well,” he says. “Anywhere in the northern climate where you’ve got some delay of harvest, particularly under cooler weather conditions […] Read more

Canola, Features

Insecticide rotation for canola growers

The need to rotate herbicides gets lots of attention. It’s also necessary to rotate insecticides

By Julienne Isaacs February 6, 2015

Insecticide rotation is common practice for horticultural growers, particularly potato growers, as a management tool in combatting insecticide resistance. But according to John Gavloski, an entomologist for Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Development, based at Carman, Man., insecticide rotation is important for canola and other field crops as well. “Insecticide rotations are recommended for field […] Read more

Crops, Features

Control the pasmo in your flax

Left untreated, the pasmo fungus can take five to seven bushels per acre from  your flax yields. Luckily, farmers have effective fungicide options 

By Michael Flood February 6, 2015

Flax is an increasingly popular crop. With growing demand from Europe, the U.S. and China, flax is likely to stay in high demand (with attendant high prices) for the foreseeable future. It also produces a high profit per acre compared with grains and works well in crop rotations to break disease and pest cycles. While […] Read more

Features, Pulses

Three things to know about fababeans

Fababeans are making a comeback in Alberta. Here's what you need to think about before you grow them

By Lisa Guenther January 30, 2015

Clubroot is driving a renewed interest in fababeans among Alberta farmers, says Harvey Brink, a farmer in the Bentley, Alberta, area. Farmers need another crop to add to the rotation, he says, “because having a short rotation with canola, that just doesn’t work because of the clubroot.” Carol Holt, a business agronomist with Parkland Fertilizer […] Read more

Features, Pulses

Fababeans in northeastern Sask.

By Lisa Guenther January 30, 2015

The fababeans pictured above belong to Brett Casavant, who farms near Tisdale in north-eastern Saskatchewan. 2014 was Casavant’s first year growing fababeans. He grew a low-tannin variety called taboar. Casavant says they yielded around 70 bushels per acre, including dockage. He says they might wash out to the low to mid 60s once dockage is accounted […] Read more

Features, Livestock

Grazing corn a good option

Many farmers have found grazing corn to be a good way to maintain cattle health and saving money

By Breeanna Kelln January 29, 2015

Ranchers looking to save costs associated with traditional drylot feeding systems are making the switch to grazing corn to keep beef herds healthy in winter months. There are many different winter grazing systems available to producers, including grazing standing whole plant corn. And, studies show producers won’t be sacrificing herd health for cost savings. Assessing […] Read more

Crops, Features

New special crops round-up

Hemp, quinoa, fababeans, camelina, hairy vetch, carinata and guar bean. Get the inside scoop

By Andrea Hilderman January 28, 2015

Some farmers love growing the latest “new” crop. Others drive by them in their neighbours’ fields and wonder what they are. There is no definitive list of “special” crops. Many crops we think of as “new” are actually very old. Some that are “special” in one area are standard in another. This is not an […] Read more

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Features