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New corn varieties for 2020

Planning to plant corn? There are a lot of new options for the 2020 growing season

Corn growers are spoiled for choice this winter, with 27 new hybrids and one new conventional variety (from Thunder Seed) coming to market for 2020. Lots of new varieties on offer include the YieldGuard Corn Borer trait developed by Monsanto, or offer some level of resistance to Goss’s wilt. Here is the list. Corteva: Pioneer […] Read more

As the wheat matured, some of the wheat heads weren’t turning the typical bright yellow but instead were much darker in colour and had striped kernels.

Crop advisor casebook: Wheat heads not your typical yellow fellows

A Crop Advisor's Solution from the December 3, 2019 issue of Grainews

Back in mid-August, I got a call from Jay after he noticed something wasn’t right with his wheat crop. Jay, who is a grain producer in the Provost region, had just finished scouting one of his fields planted to CWRS wheat. He was alarmed to see that as his wheat matured, some of the wheat […] Read more


What was once a thin patch of grass rebounded nicely after pastured
poultry added nutrients to the soil.

Natural ways to improve soil quality

Cover crops may be more practical than molasses and milk

For many years there has been growing public concern that food is declining in nutrition. Dr. Arden Anderson, a favourite researcher, has studied the correlation between soil health and feed nutrition. His research has shown that the nutrient content of foods today compared to half a century ago ranges from 15 to 75 per cent […] Read more

Fredericton skyline.

Canada’s Outstanding Young Farmers heads for New Brunswick

National competition has to select the best from the best

Some of the brightest young minds in Canadian farming will be meeting in Fredericton, N.B., in early December for the 39th annual awards program of Canada’s Outstanding Young Farmers (COYF). Seven farm couples, selected as regional winners from across the country earlier this year, will be vying for recognition of the national title, as they […] Read more


Alberta OYF nominees, Natasha Pospisil and Dallas Vert with their three children: Reese, seven; Tegan, four; and Ryker, six months.

Canada’s OYF 2019: Alberta nominees

No rest, no worries for these OYF winners from east-central Alberta

What could be harder than balancing a business and family? How about three businesses? Managing three kids and three companies might sound daunting to some, but for Dallas Vert and Natasha Pospisil, it’s all in a day’s work. Armed with diplomas from Olds College, Dallas and Natasha purchased his parents’ grain farm in Kirriemuir, in […] Read more

Ontario OYF nominees Jan and Jony Roos with their children Julian, eight; Joanna, six; Janine, four; and Jessica, three.

Canada’s OYF 2019: Ontario nominees

Proper management and improved efficiency support growing dairy goat operation

Jan and Jony Roos are thrilled to be Ontario’s 2019 Outstanding Young Farmers (OYF), and the fact that they were nominated by a former employee makes it even more of an honour. “It gave us a good feeling that our employees appreciated it here,” says Jony. “We didn’t expect to win because the other competitors […] Read more


B.C. regional OYF winners, Cammy and James Lockwood with their children Keighley, seven; Jayce, six; and Simphiwe, five.

Canada’s OYF 2019: British Columbia nominees

Hen farmers lay foundation for success


If it is unlikely that an artist and doctor parents would produce a farmer, then having that farmer win a regional award as an Outstanding Young Farmer (OYF) seems even a greater stretch of the imagination. But, tell that to Cammy Lockwood, the product of non-farming parents. Cammy Lockwood and her husband James were named […] Read more

Quebec OYF nominees, Simon Michaud and Mylene Bourque with their children Elliot, Laurence, Mathias and Jasmine. 

Canada’s OYF 2019: Quebec nominees

Re-design of a re-design gets dairy on track for Quebec farmers

Starting their own dairy farm hasn’t exactly been a smooth road for Simon Michaud and Mylene Bourque, but the young Quebec couple’s efforts to establish a productive and efficient farming operation in the heart of tourist country earned them recognition earlier this year as Quebec’s regional finalist for the Outstanding Young Farmer’s program. Born and […] Read more


How to ask your lender for money when you need it

How to ask your lender for money when you need it

Having a business plan that tells your farm’s story increases your chance of success with lenders

In the first article in this series, I introduced several options available to farmers experiencing financial difficulties. I advised farmers to address financial issues sooner rather than later and not to lay blame on anyone or anything (like the weather). In the second article, I presented an example of using debt restructuring and asset sales […] Read more

Saskatchewan OYF nominees, Jason and Jenna Ranger and daughter Bridget, two.

Canada’s OYF 2019: Saskatchewan nominees

The Rangers focus on cropping efficiencies on mostly rented land

Jason and Jenna Ranger, Saskatchewan’s 2019 Outstanding Young Farmers (OYF), have over the past dozen years steadily grown their cropping operation, Jaran Farms Ltd., in north-west Saskatchewan to around 11,000 acres, producing primarily canola, oats, wheat and lentils. After completing a year of his agricultural degree in 2006, Jason had the opportunity to rent a […] Read more