A canola field blooms west of Fairholme, in north-western Saskatchewan. Crops are generally even and lush in the areas around Glaslyn and Mervin, according to the local ag retailers.

Farmers crossing their fingers as crops seen very healthy

Risk for sclerotinia seen as very high for some canola growers

The crops bordering Highway 3, between Glaslyn and Turtleford, are even and lush. Canola is blooming. Peas are flowering. Crops look so good, “it’s kind of scary,” said Geoff Schick, assistant location manager at AgriTeam in Glaslyn, Sask. And it’s not only farmers in north-western Saskatchewan who are crossing their fingers for a bumper crop. […] Read more

Water level changes in a shallow (35 foot) observation well near Melfort, Sask.  1967 – 2016.

Climate and weather cycles

There have always been climate cycles. The question is "Where are we now?"

One of the biggest topics for discussion in recent years is climate change and how we have to shut down the world as we know it to keep alive in the future. On the CO2 and fossil fuel issue Canada is a rounding error. It is all about China. And China must change. Not so […] Read more


Learning about the 4Rs online

Learning about the 4Rs online

Online training offers way to help farmers communicate sustainable practices

The 4Rs” is shorthand every western Canadian producer knows, even though the phrase has only been around for a few years. It stands, of course, for the Right source of nutrients at the Right rate and the Right time in the Right place. The 4R concept was developed by the Fertilizer Institute, the International Plant Nutrition […] Read more

This photo and the one further down are of the canola on my “breaking” land — recently broken land (this is only the second time its been under a seed drill). The pictures were taken on July 27, 2015. In fall 2014 the soil test N in this field was only 20 lbs./acre to one foot but the zero to six inch level organic matter was 6.5 per cent. The “normal” areas in this field got 94 lbs. N/acre as anhydrous. This area got only the 20 lbs. N/acre as broadcast 21-0-0-24. Obviously, mineralization is providing much of the N. My zone fertilization plan involves telling the custom applicator to leave out the breaking and salty ground. It works!

Soil: Test the right pound of ground

If you don’t measure what you have, you can’t know what to add. Know the basics of taking soil tests

First, some general tips around soil testing. The first thing to note about soil testing is that it is an index — it is not like a dipstick in a crankcase. A soil test (index) rates a soil as very low to excessive and is one piece of information to guide fertilizer use. But, use […] Read more


farm sustainability diagram

New tool measures farm operation sustainability

Demand for “field print” calculations is on the rise

Energy consumption, land use, erosion and climate impact are key to environmental management. Consumers and food retailers are now demanding this type of information. But how do you measure your efficiency? A new calculator can help. Denis Tremorin, director of sustainability at Pulse Canada, is the driving force behind the Canadian Field Print Calculator project and […] Read more

cattle grazing on a pasture

“Sustainability” in all its forms

Industry sustainability is built 
one farm at a time, anticipating and being prepared for change

The “S” word (sustainability) has been in popular use for several years among industry and developers and it has recently undergone a major surge of interest in the beef industry. Sustainability really reflects the long-term viability of the industry in terms of the three pillars of the environment, economics and social demands. It would be […] Read more