Proudly Canadian
All kinds of situations can lead to heated conflict between farming neighbours.Talking things over is often the best solution
It began the summer Grant’s pigs started running through David’s wheat and into his vegetable garden. There were a half dozen of the little porkers, razor backs with nary a streak in their bacon but they could wreak more havoc than a herd of buffalo, David muttered. If he chased them out of his cabbages once he […] Read moreLooking for a way to keep canola pods from shattering during the harvest? Pod sealants may not be a magic cure, but they could provide peace of mind
When pod sealants arrived on the market in Western Canada a few years ago there was considerable interest from farmers who were experiencing problems with pod shatter in canola. Pod shatter is a big concern when straight combining canola, especially if harvest is delayed. There have been reported yield losses up to 50 per cent relative to […] Read moreStill seeding “a bushel and a half” per acre? Try moving to 1,000 kernel weight calculation for more precise seeding rates
Every spring Prairie farmers wait to head to the field to begin spring seeding. The drill is ready to go, and the seed is loaded. The seeding equipment heading to the field has likely been updated from 20 years ago, but has the amount of seed needed calculation also been updated? What’s in a bushel? […] Read moreSome canola growers are thinking about seeding rates in terms of plants per acre rather than pounds of seed per acre
Successfully seeding and establishing hybrid canola can be achieved at lower seeding rates by carefully selecting the canola variety, choosing the right equipment, and paying attention to machinery settings and operation. Other steps to successful canola seeding are: Targeting final plant stands according to seed size. Handling the canola in the most efficient and gentle […] Read moreWith our short growing season, we have several options for cover crops in Western Canada. Kevin Elmy’s been trying some new ones on his farm
Across the United States, cover crops have been increasing in popularity. Between drought, delayed seeding, the high cost of putting the crop in, long growing season, high levels of inputs and leaching concerns, cover crops are taking hold. Most farmers planting cover crops are finding fewer nutrients in water run off, less erosion, less input […] Read moreAgronomists are finding swede midge in Prairie canola fields. Add this new pest to your 2013 field-scouting list
The Swede midge, a gall midge native to Europe and Asia, was first identified in Ontario in 2000. In Europe, Swede midge is a common threat to cruciferous vegetable crops like broccoli, cabbage and cauliflower. Its first discovery in Ontario was in vegetable crops, and it has been closely monitored since because of its potentially […] Read moreAs the CFIA backs away from regulating fertilizer efficacy, Chris Holpzafel recommends that farmers look to third-party research
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) will stop regulating efficacy for fertilizers and supplements in April 2013. Whether loosening the regulations will benefit farmers by lowering costs and allowing sellers to bring new products to market quickly, or allow some companies to sell products without backing their claims, remains to be seen. As an interim measure the CFIA […] Read more
