Some soybean plants appeared to be ripening much more quickly than others. Their leaves were turning yellow and brown, and in some extreme cases, looked crispy and even burnt.

Crop Advisor’s Casebook: Yellowing soybeans a mystery

A Crop Advisor's Solution from the February 3, 2015 issue of Grainews

An experienced hand at producing canola, wheat and barley on the sandy loam soils of his 4,200-acre farm east of Dauphin, Man., Brent was brand new at growing soybeans. Just after Labour Day, Brent gave me call to talk about a concern he had with his soybean crop as he prepared for harvest. “I think […] Read more

Topsoil moisture conditions mostly good, warmth spurs excellent crop growth

Saskatchewan Crop Report for the week ending June 13

Seeding in Saskatchewan is expected to be completed this week, according to Saskatchewan Agriculture’s weekly Crop Report. While there are few fields of oats and flax, as well as some greenfeed and silage, being seeded at this time, 99.5 per cent of the crop is in the ground. The five-year (2011-2015) average for this time […] Read more


Deep tillage can be beneficial under specific soil conditions, but use can also have serious negative effects on soil quality.

Understanding soil compaction

Agronomy Management: How to manage each of the three main types of compaction in your fields

In the last issue of Grainews I wrote about the effects of compaction on soil. Now, I’ll discuss the specific types of soil compaction and the ways each type can be managed. 1. Surface soil crusting This type of compaction is caused by a combination of soil tillage and raindrop impact. Causes: Tillage can bury much of […] Read more

field soybeans

Soybeans shine with no-till systems

Researchers studied corn and soybean response to different soil and residue conditions

Prairie farmers new to soybeans and corn are still figuring out how to adapt their practices to these crops. Researchers at the University of Manitoba are doing the same. Dr. Yvonne Lawley is part of three projects examining soil and residue management of soybeans and corn. The first project looked at seeding soybeans into wheat […] Read more


Emerging crops good to excellent condition, some insect damage, local flooding

Saskatchewan Crop Report for the week ending May 30

Seeding of the 2016 crop is almost complete. Ninety four per cent of the crop is now seeded, according to Saskatchewan Agriculture’s weekly Crop Report. Cooler temperatures and rain during the past week have slowed field operations in some areas of the province; however, seeding progress is still ahead of the five-year (2011-2015) average of […] Read more

Seeding progress takes a leap forward, rainfall seen mixed

Saskatchewan Crop Report for the week ending May 23

Saskatchewan Agriculture – Great strides were made this past week, as 81 per cent of the crop is now seeded, according to Saskatchewan Agriculture’s weekly Crop Report. Warm and dry weather has allowed producers to remain well ahead of the five-year (2011-2015) seeding average of 59 per cent. Many producers have completed seeding operations and […] Read more


cornfield

What to watch for in young corn

A strong start to your corn crop will ensure you a rewarding harvest

The first step in guaranteeing a profitable harvest is ensuring corn plants are thriving in the early stages of growth. At the planting to seedling stage, corn is most susceptible to seed and root rot diseases. Disease such as seedling blight, and root rots caused by pythium, fusarium or rhizoctonia could affect seedlings, particularly in […] Read more

Don’t misdiagnose soil compaction

Don’t misdiagnose soil compaction

Erosion or true compaction? A correct diagnosis is key to proper management

Subsoils are naturally compact, and what looks like a soil compaction problem might actually be a case of erosion removing the top, soft layer of soil and exposing the dense subsoil. “People assume they have a soil compaction problem, but exposed subsoil is often misdiagnosed as a soil degradation issue,” says David Lobb, a professor […] Read more


Canola is typically sold with a seed treatment that includes both a 
fungicide and insecticide.

Are seed treatments worth the cost?

Ask the Experts: Seed treatments come at a price, but some say they add enough benefits to pay that bill

Some farmers consider seed treatments an insurance policy to try and ensure their crop has every opportunity to germinate and establish healthy plants. Others see them as another added cost they don’t need, especially if they haven’t had any serious disease issues for a while. Invariably though, once a farmer has had a disease problem […] Read more

Set your soybeans up for success

Set your soybeans up for success

Many factors come in to play in getting your soybean crop off to a good start. Field selection, fertility, varietal selection and planting populations are some of the key elements to be considered during the planning phase. As the planning phase ends and you move to in-season practices, your early season weed control will be […] Read more