wheat plant waving hello

FEED ME: Can well-fed plants fend off diseases and insects?

We examine an Idaho farmer’s program for crop self-defence

Blake Matthews works with agronomist Jared Cook on an intensive cropping program that improves plant health and soil health, reduces pesticide use and somewhat increases profits. We check in with Prairie experts to see how that program’s principles could work in this region.

canola seedlings

Concerned over canola? Focus on agronomy

In a stressful market environment, best practices can reduce risk and drive profit

The best option for canola producers in the current market environment may be to apply agronomy practices that can improve profits for little to no added cost, the Canola Council of Canada says.


Ron Tone started his own independent agronomy business in 1996 following a 17-year farming career in southern Manitoba.

Having those tough conversations

A veteran agronomist, speaking at the recent Manitoba Agronomists Conference, offers advice on how to handle difficult discussions with clients

There is perhaps no bigger challenge for an agronomist than having a tough but frank conversation with a farmer client. You won’t get any argument on that count from Ron Tone. He founded Tone Ag Consulting in 1996, following a 17-year career as a farmer. His independent agricultural consulting firm specializes in damage claims, crop […] Read more

Understanding phosphorus, part 3: Developing fertilizer recommendations

Understanding phosphorus, part 3: Developing fertilizer recommendations

Agronomy Management: It’s important to have adequate P close to the seed during the first six weeks of growth

Part 3 of 3. Prairie farmers spend over $1 billion annually on phosphate fertilizer; these three articles will hopefully assist with a better understanding of how soil P functions in soil, soil testing for P and then how to develop wise phosphate fertilizer recommendations.


Ground Level: The power of seeing and the crutch of complexity

Ground Level: The power of seeing and the crutch of complexity

“Seeing is believing” is a common cliché applicable to the adoption of technology in agriculture. Adoption rates of autosteer, sectional control and weigh cells in grain carts and air-seeder tanks are incredible. Auto guidance adoption, for example, was well above 50 per cent in the U.S. as of 2019 (McFadden et al., 2023). Nowadays, it […] Read more

Agronomy and the Law: Be careful what you recommend

Agronomy and the Law: Be careful what you recommend

Recommending various herbicides, fungicides and pesticides to farmer and ag-retail clients is an important aspect of an agronomist’s role. These recommendations must be tailored to each grower’s fields in an economically viable manner and, in the case of pesticides, recommendations and the usage and storage thereof, must be within the law. In fulfilling your duty […] Read more


Only experts can spot the differences with the naked eye. However, huge differences can be identified using molecular genetics.

Science Brief: Plants adapt genes to farming methods

Farming practices can trigger genetic adaptions in plants, according to research at the University of Bonn. The 23-year project started in the late 1990s, when a research group led by Jens Léon started an experiment into how farming conditions affect plant genetic material. Researchers first increased genetic variation by crossing high-yield barley with a wild […] Read more

solubility test

Field Notes: So what about solubility?

While conducting my PhD studies over the past three years, I have been fortunate to do a deep study on phosphorus (P). It is a fascinating nutrient often characterized by a series of seemingly contrasting truths. For example, while it is considered a nutrient essential for all life, it can also act as a pollutant […] Read more


laying tile

Understanding tile drainage

Tiling can be a good solution for fixing multiple problems, but it can also be complex to install, and costs vary widely depending on the farm. Make purchasing decisions easier by doing your homework first.

Removing excess water is the big payoff for tile drainage. Submerged fields and saturated soils can slash yields, cause salinity problems and even spell the loss of the entire crop, if it’s bad enough. However, it is not an inexpensive fix, nor is it a simple solution, and it won’t work for every farm. That’s […] Read more

At left is a wheat crop seeded on shorter or more conventional stubble height, which trapped less snow over winter. At right is a more robust crop growing in taller stubble that was able to capture more snow.

Research confirms value of taller crop stubble

Technology is available to help set up, measure and monitor on-farm research projects

Leaving taller crop stubble in the fall can improve the odds of higher crop yield in the following year, says Saskatchewan crop consultant Mike Palmier. His field observations in the 2021 growing season, followed by on-farm research trials through 2022 and 2023, produced data to support a recommendation to leave taller crop stubble. Even a […] Read more