Daily Network News

More News →

Features

Features

Farmers express qualified support for micronutrients

By

There seems to be a certain amount of “gut feeling” that supports the use 
of micronutrient treatments on grain, oilseed and pulse crops according 
to western Canadian farmers

The benefits may not show as dramatic yield increases, but the crops look better, the maturity seems to even out, and if you dig in the soil, there appears to be improved root development on treated plants — those are all features that suggest that micronutrients are doing something. Some farmers contacted for this Farmer Panel say they see at least […] Read more
Features

6 tips for better cereal leaf disease management

By
Cereal leaf diseases should be preventable. You can see them coming, since they start at the bottom of the plant and advance upwards. And it’s the flag leaf at the top that needs the most protection, so it should be easy to head off anything at the pass, right? Unfortunately, the reality is not so […] Read more
Features

Variable rate fungicide

By
Variable rate fungicide is a perfect fit for diseases like sclerotinia in canola, says an agronomist. “The heavier the canopy, the heavier the risk of disease development that you’ve got, versus the areas of the field where we’ve got variability, where the stand is thinner for different reasons,” says Craig Shand, an agronomist with Farmers Edge at Cremona, Alta. […] Read more
Features

Setting the price of wheat

By
Over the past few months Western Canadian farmers have had the opportunity to see their local grain companies’ versions of the price of Canada Western Red Spring (CWRS). There is a great deal of difference among different companies’ cash bids. Companies explain that these differences are due to marketing uncertainty, unique quality characteristics and lack […] Read more
Features

The value of micronutrient seed dressings

By

Micronutrient seed dressings are relatively new in Western Canada. 
Retailers generally don’t claim that these products will increase yield, 
but they may add value for some farmers

Micronutrient seed dressings, already well established in the U.S., are starting to appear on our side of the border. Unlike traditional seed treatments designed to combat plant disease, seed dressings are claimed to boost returns — if not necessarily yields — by promoting better emergence and seedling vigour. One product has received official CFIA registration. Other products […] Read more
Features

Variable rate technology is about to take off

By

While many farmers are talking about variable rate technology, there are still lots of farmers who aren’t using it in the field yet

It seems that Variable Rate Technology (VRT) has found itself in a middle ground of use at the current time. The technology is there to use, but VRT has yet to have truly caught on as the next big thing in precision farming practices. From my discussions with farmer and agriculture professionals, it seems that the percentage of farmers actually using […] Read more
Features

Four steps to good weed control

By

When grain prices were lower, Kevin Bender cut corners, sprayed only heavier weed patches and cut back on rates. Today he sprays at full rate, and often makes two passes

Controlling weeds, doing it right, and keeping up with what’s happening plays a big part in the success of farmers today. Kevin Bender farms west of Lacombe, Alta. Along with his brother and father, Bender farms about 5,000 acres. His portion of this is 1,500 acres, but all three operate as separate proprietorships while working […] Read more
Features

Complete crop nutrition recommendations

By

Developing crop recommendations is a multi-step process, taking into account field history, hopes for the coming year, and, of course, soil test results

While making crop plans with farmers this winter, we tried to build a complete crop nutrition solution for each crop. Our initial plans focused on macronutrients — mainly, fertilizer rate recommendations based on what was left in the soil and what we needed to add to achieve 2012 yield targets. Field conditions To get an […] Read more
Features

6 steps to protect canola yields from sclerotinia

By
Studies have shown that sclerotinia is present in all soils in Canada’s canola growing area, however, it will remain dormant unless conditions are favourable. With the proper combination of crop density and weather conditions, heavy infections can occur anywhere. The disease infects canola crops when the plants are in bloom. The onset of infection is […] Read more
Features

Watch for downy mildew in sunflowers

By

Sunflower growers should watch out for downy mildew, especially if spring conditions are favourable for the disease

A 2011 survey of Manitoba’s sunflower fields found downy mildew present in nine out of 11 fields surveyed. “Last year was a bit of a heavy downy mildew year because of the fact that the spring was very wet. The downy mildew in general for sunflower is favoured by wet soil and temperatures around 15 C to […] Read more

AgCanadaTV

AgCanada TV: In case you missed it; your national ag news recap for April 17, 2026

Sponsored by:
More Videos →

Latest Market News

More Market News →