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The concept of using biostimulants on crops isn’t new, but farmers remain cautious, realizing all that glitters may not be gold.
Crops, Features

Farmers still cautious about biostimulants

Farmer Panel: Some benefits observed, but questions continue about if, when and where they produce consistent results

By
Western Canadian farmers aren’t exactly stampeding to crop supply retailers looking for biostimulant products that offer to improve crop production. That’s the view of at least a sampling of Prairie producers when asked for this September’s farmer panel on what they think about biological and biostimulant products applied to soil, seed or as foliar treatments. Producers […] Read more
A farmer applies micronutrients in the fall.
Crops, Features

Micronutrient application tips

A look at copper, zinc and boron and other pointers on fertility application

By
Micronutrients may only be required in small doses, but that doesn’t make them less important to your crops, and fall can be a good time to address any deficiencies. “Much like nitrogen and phosphorus, micronutrients play a critical role in crop production and yield,” says Rigas Karamanos, senior agronomist with Koch Agronomic Services. Micronutrients make […] Read more
The strength or weakness of a basis at any point in time can be viewed as a bellwether that informs grain sellers where the market is at, and where it might be headed.
Features, Marketing

Have you got your basis covered?

To score a grain marketing home run, understand and monitor basis levels

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Basis is a marketing instrument utilized by grain handling companies to attract grain when they need it or to discourage delivery when they don’t. Used for crops that have an active futures trading market like wheat and canola, basis is the difference between a local cash price for a commodity and its price on the […] Read more
It was Yamily Zavala’s enthusiasm and commitment to the idea and the support of local farmers, businesses and other institutions that made the CARA Soil Health Lab a reality. Zavala studied and worked in Venezuela, where she was born and raised, and later earned a PhD in soil and plant nutrition from Cornell University. She has spent a good part of her working life studying the soil ecosystem.
Crops, Features

Soil studies just for the “health” of it

Alberta lab teaches farmers to be soil health investigators

By
[UPDATED: Oct. 6, 2021] Farmers spend a lot of time working in and on the soil. As the holder of crop nutrients and, hopefully, water, soil is literally the foundation for growing crops, although under extremely dry conditions, it may seem like just so much dirt. But aside from what a soil analysis might tell […] Read more
“You’re never going to hit the high of the market all the time. That’s just not possible. Don’t beat yourself up when you make mistakes.” – Reg Dyck.
Features, Marketing

The most common grain marketing mistakes

Four traps farmers can fall into, and how to avoid them

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Navigating your way around grain markets isn’t exactly easy, and it gets more complicated when you get into the area of trading futures contracts and options strategies. Even the most experienced grain marketer will make mistakes from time to time — here are some common ones you can try to avoid. Go easy on yourself […] Read more
Once you have a network of buyers you’d like to do business with, it pays to stay in touch — it will likely improve your chances of being alerted to pricing specials when they come around.
Features, Marketing, News

Be a better grain marketer

It’s more important than ever to be an astute grain marketer. Strengthen your position with these pro tips

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Reg Dyck farmed for more than 40 years near Starbuck, Man., but he knew early on that grain marketing was something he wanted to learn more about. In fact, Dyck was still in high school when he started taking marketing extension courses put on by Manitoba Agriculture and other ag agencies. “What motivated me, I […] Read more
Weeds exactly like the one shown above were found in Lucas’ corn field after he sprayed 
with Roundup.
Crops, Features

Crop advisor casebook: Why is this Manitoba field full of pigweed?

A Crop Advisor's Solution from the September 21, 2021 issue of Grainews

By
Lucas farms near Starbuck, Man., growing corn, soybeans, wheat, oats and canola. I received a call from Lucas at the end of June last year. He suspected he had some herbicide efficacy problems, as he noticed some redroot pigweed was not dying after he sprayed a field of corn with Roundup. “It’s been three weeks […] Read more
If you want the farm to continue and keep the legacy going, then the farm succession process must begin while you are still alive, with a sound mind and body.
Features

Succession plans: address the underlying issues

How to begin or become unstuck

By
Many articles have been written about farm succession or farm transition as it is more recently called. I think it’s time to look at some of the underlying reasons why this can be a difficult process. I base my comments on my work as a farm business and transition consultant for 17 years as well […] Read more
anhydrous application
Features

What to do about anhydrous ammonia applications this fall

How to tackle the challenges associated with fall fertility and parched soils

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For many farmers in the Prairies, fall nutrient applications are a key aspect of fertility management. Banding anhydrous ammonia is widely viewed as an effective technique for adding nitrogen in the fall, and it generally works best on soils that are well drained and are more dry than wet. But what if the soil is […] Read more
Phosphate being applied with anhydrous ammonia in a dual placement banding on a Manitoba farm last fall. Manitoba Agriculture soil fertility extension specialist John Heard maintains this is an effective application method because it places phosphorus within the soil away from potential runoff losses and the acidifying nature of anhydrous ammonia tends to increase the availability of the phosphorus to next year’s crop.
Crops, Features, Weather

Your fall fertility primer

By

Get a head start on next year’s crops with these fertility guidelines, options and pro tips

Many Prairie farmers choose to apply fertilizers to their fields in the fall to save time in the spring — a strategy Farmers Edge agronomist Thom Weir believes makes good sense for a couple of reasons. “There’s lots of data that shows seeding early has a significant benefit to yield,” he says, adding that for […] Read more

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