Biologcials and biostimulants are gaining traction, but experts say Prairie grain growers still need to ask hard questions and look for data that backs up companies’ claims.
Tag Archives biostimulants
Biologicals, biostimulants make way into Prairie crop plans
But with more companies entering the biologicals and biostimulant space, Prairie growers are being urged to look past the hype and dig into the data
New biological aims to boost row crops’ yield
A new biostimulant that Syngenta says will boost yield for row crops is slated for release in time for the 2025 growing season. “YieldON amplifies the grain-filling processes that crops naturally do when they transition from the vegetative stage to the reproductive stage of their life cycle,” Chris Dumigan, biologicals technical lead with Syngenta Canada, […] Read more
Ways to improve the microbiome
Scientists consider how we could better support relationships between plants, soil and microbes
Glacier FarmMedia — The hyperbole around biologicals and what they can do for crop production sounds like 10 million crickets in a suburban backyard. There’s a lot of noise around biologicals, and for good reason. Soil contains millions of bacteria, fungi and other microbes that perform vital functions for plants. As a result, global agri-science […] Read more
Farmer interest growing in plant biostimulants
Companies hope to fill an existing 'knowledge gap' about the purpose of these products
Glacier FarmMedia — At 2 p.m. on July 17, Ryan Bonnett and many other people at the Ag In Motion farm show near Langham were seeking a place in the shade. The temperature was around 30 C and the word “hot” came up in most conversations at the show. The afternoon temperature was also on […] Read more
Wake weeds up and let Mother Nature sort them out
Researcher finds value in wood vinegar in unique weed-killing process
Glacier FarmMedia — It makes some intuitive sense: stimulate weeds’ growth at the wrong time of the year and let the winter frost kill them off. The challenge, says a scientist, is finding the right stimulant to wake them up. Shaun Sharpe, a weed researcher with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) in Saskatoon, may have […] Read more
War teaches Ukrainian farmers tough lessons
As the war approaches its second anniversary, the farmers who adapted earliest have been in the best position to survive
Feb. 24 marks two years since Russia's invasion of Ukraine. It seems like a short time, but it has caused huge upheaval in our society. Hundreds of thousands have died and millions have lost their homes.
New biologicals on the market
A roundup of inoculants, biostimulants, pre-plant soil biofumigants and more coming your way
[UPDATED: Oct. 26, 2022] Several new biological products are on the market or shortly will be. New inoculants, nitrogen-fixing bacteria, biostimulants and pre-plant soil biofumigants, among others, are a few products headed your way. Companies offering new biologicals are claiming these products increase root mass development and structure, enhance root and plant growth, improve plant […] Read more
Farmers still cautious about biostimulants
Farmer Panel: Some benefits observed, but questions continue about if, when and where they produce consistent results
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
How biostimulants work to enhance plant growth
Q & A with Nutrien Ag Solutions
Q: What are biostimulants? A: As an agronomist, I’m often asked about new products. One area that has really emerged in the last decade is biostimulants. These are not fertilizers or pesticides, but a wide array of biological products that enhance plant growth. Biostimulants are substances or micro-organisms whose function, when applied to plants or […] Read more
One grower’s experience with biostimulants
Saskatchewan grain farmer, Sean Edwards first tried biostimulants on his crops about five years ago. He wanted to grow healthier plants with less fertilizer and reduce his fungicide use. “We were fairly wet and we had a lot of sclerotinia on our canola and fusarium on our cereals, and root rot in our peas was […] Read more
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
