As Bayer hints it may soon exit the glyphosate business, the once-hypothetical scenario of farming without Roundup is suddenly on the table.
Tag Archives crop rotation
What would happen if Roundup disappeared?
Bayer hints it might stop selling Roundup due to legal problems. What could it mean for farmers?
Steps to stop blackleg in canola
Agronomists and canola growers have many proven steps to manage blackleg disease in canola. Genetic resistance has been an extremely effective tool, and will remain so — as long as that resistance matches the blackleg races in a field
Blackleg disease, caused by the pathogen Leptosphaeria maculans, is common in canola across the Prairies. It can cause very high yield loss in cultivars susceptible to the predominant blackleg races in a field. The two best defences are: Seed treatment and early-season fungicides can also help, especially if the first two are compromised. This article will […] Read more
Faba beans could help ease rotation pressure on canola
There has been little export demand, but new, safer varieties are expected to open doors in the domestic food market
Eric McLean, who farms near Oak River, Man., thinks farmers should avoid the “easy button” approach to crop production.“We have to keep trying different things. Honestly, that is the solution, to have that diversification in the crop rotation.”
Soil organic matter and carbon sequestration
Changes in cropping practices over time have significantly improved soil quality
Prairie farmers have done an excellent job shifting to direct seeding, continuous cropping, using much more diverse crop rotations and fertilizing crops adequately, along with various other good agronomy practices. This has very positively improved soil organic matter levels and improved soil health across all the soil zones of the Prairies.
Understanding soil phosphorus, part 1
Agronomy Management: Rotations and fertilizer management have dramatic effects on pools of organic and inorganic P
Farmers and agronomists are very aware that phosphorus (P) is an essential element needed for optimum crop production in Western Canada. Most soils used for annual crops in Western Canada are very low, low or medium in plant-available soil P and are responsive to added P fertilizer. As a result, phosphate fertilizer use is second […] Read more
More than one way to fight fusarium head blight
An integrated approach, using multiple best practices, can offer better chances of success
Fusarium head blight has been a stubborn threat to cereal crops in Western Canada since the 1990s. Some years are worse than others, but when the conditions favour this fungal pathogen, fusarium can cause significant losses in yield and crop quality in wheat, barley, oats and corn. The two primary weapons against fusarium — fungicides […] Read more
Fitting malting barley in your rotation
The price premium isn’t the only benefit malting barley offers
Farmers who grow malting barley in their rotation say there is a lot to like about the crop. It’s an early-maturing, drought-resistant crop that competes well with weeds. And if farmers meet the high standards required by malting houses, they can earn a handsome premium. Although malting barley once yielded significantly less than higher-yielding feed […] Read more
Feds invest in research to promote more diverse crop rotations
The federal government is investing $5,733,852 million in funding to advance soybean, corn and oat research and promote diverse crop rotations across Canada.
Machine learning may help get a leg up on blackleg
AI-backed research results may help growers better manage the risk of blackleg in canola crops
Results of a recent study by researchers in Manitoba and Alberta could help growers fight blackleg disease in canola more effectively. The study was done by a team of researchers at the University of Manitoba led by Dilantha Fernando, a professor in the school’s plant science department. They were joined by Michael Harding, a plant […] Read more
More bang for your fertilizer buck
Study provides more proof that pulse crops contribute to nitrogen use efficiency
Canadian farmers are expected to spend a record $23.1 billion on inputs in 2023, so they will be looking to get the most bang for their buck when it comes to fertilizer. A recent western Canadian study could make that task a little easier in the not-too-distant future. The Resilient Rotations project is a comprehensive, […] Read more
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
