chemicals Archives - Page 2 of 6

Some biostimulant products are meant to help see crops through environmental stressors such as unusual cold or heat.

Biologicals aren’t the silver bullet

The products can be complements, not replacements, for other inputs

By Robert Arnason October 7, 2024

Glacier FarmMedia — Biological products have been touted as replacements for synthetic chemistry and fertilizer in crop production, but that may be a false promise. According to one pitch, if farmers add biological X to the soil, they can cut nitrogen rates by 15 pounds per acre. According to another, biological Y can control a […] Read more

News, Reuters

BASF targets partial listing of agriculture division

By Reuters September 25, 2024

BASF is planning a partial listing of its agricultural business because the stock market is underestimating the unit's earnings prospects within the group, the German chemicals giant's new CEO told staff on Wednesday.

News, Reuters

BASF to prepare agricultural business for IPO, reports Bloomberg

By Reuters September 18, 2024

BASF plans to prepare its agricultural chemicals business for an initial public offering in the next few years as part of restructuring measures set to be announced by the chemicals group this month, Bloomberg News reported on Wednesday.

Columns, Practical Tips

Let’s look at the facts on pesticides

Practical Research: Chemicals found in nature aren’t intrinsically safer than the man-made options

By Ieuan Evans July 17, 2024

The May 2024 edition of Consumer Reports, published by a well-regarded U.S. not-for-profit independent organization, examined “Produce Without Pesticides.” The article carried a lead statement that some 20 per cent of the 59 fruits and vegetables in its ratings posed a high risk for pesticides. It also made the statement that some of our favourite […] Read more

Your fearless columnist tosses the cell for electrical conductivity (EC) measurement into the Montreal River at Saskatchewan Highway 2 in July 2005. Results are recorded in a notebook and all is carried in a briefcase. I have notebooks like that all the way back to 1982. At this location, water EC is 260 uS/cm. In the north, water is mostly low EC; the standard for comparison is the South Saskatchewan River system that runs through Saskatoon, with an EC of about 450 uS/cm at 25 C.

Columns

Water chemistry: a Coles Notes version

Soils & Crops: Conductivity and hardness of water samples show what you can use it for

By Les Henry May 21, 2024

First of all: readers who have Henry’s Handbook of Soil and Water can check out pages 124-125 for a detailed discussion of water chemistry, complete with calculations. Water is considered to be the universal solvent because it is capable of dissolving more substances than any other liquid. Therefore, one of the first things we might […] Read more

An aerial view of spraying operations at Jake Ayre's family farm near Minto, Man.

Crops, Features

Spraying facts, fallacies and forethought

Experts share tips on what you need to know before you spray

By Jim Timlick April 25, 2024

To spray or not to spray? That is the question many farmers will be asking themselves in the coming weeks. While it’s still too early to say what pest and disease forecasts will look like this season, it’s never too soon to start thinking about temperature and other factors that can help to determine the […] Read more

It's not uncommon for pest control product labels to be updated over time -- so even if you're working with a product you've used before, review the label before use.

Wheat & Chaff

Pesticide safety starts with the label

By Canadian Agricultural Safety Association March 26, 2024

When it comes to growing crops, pesticides are a vital tool. Pesticides, commonly known as crop protection or pest control products, play an important role on farms across the country. They enable farmers to put food on tables thanks to healthy and plentiful crops. However, using any pesticide product comes with a responsibility to ensure […] Read more

Crops, General

Oat producers call chlormequat report fear mongering

Environmental Working Group blames Canadian producers for residues of plant growth regulator found in oat products

By Robert Arnason, GFM Network News February 26, 2024

The Prairie Oat Growers Association is pushing back against allegations that Canadian oats are contaminated with chemicals from a plant growth regulator.

Crops, General

Canadian farmers blamed for ag chemical in U.S. oat foods

Discovery sets off media story despite samples testing well inside safe levels

By Robert Arnason, GFM Network News February 20, 2024

A U.S. environmental group is pointing a finger at Canadian oat growers, saying they’re the cause of ag chemical residues found in Cheerios and Quaker Oats.

Crops, Features

Rebate roundup 2024

Cash-back rebates and rewards programs provide growers with much-needed certainty

By Jim Timlick February 2, 2024

Canada’s crop input market faces multiple challenges and growers will look to get the most bang for their buck when purchasing fertilizer, seed and pesticides for 2024. Grainews aims to make that process a little easier with its annual rebate roundup feature that examines some of the cash-back rebates and other reward programs available to […] Read more

U.S. livestock: Cattle markets up ahead of report

U.S. grains: Soybean futures fall after Trump-Xi call

Prairie Wheat Weekly: Western Canadian bids slightly decline

GFM Network News