environmental issues Archives

General Mills’ Steven Rosenzweig and Will Harris of White Oak Pastures test soil that has been under a regenerative management system.

General Mills’ interest in regenerative agriculture

From testing a sample farm’s GHG emissions to running a pilot project for oat growers

By Angela Lovell February 3, 2020

General Mills recently commissioned a study into the regenerative agricultural practices of a farm supplying grass-fed beef for some of the company’s products. The study was conducted by environmental sustainability consultants, Quantis, at White Oak Pastures, a 3,000-acre family farm in Bluffton, Georgia. The farm owner, Will Harris, began to shift the farm from conventional to […] Read more

There is much ado about warming that is going to fry our crops and leave us begging for a cold day. But, I have news for the global warmers. – Les Henry

Columns, Crops, Weather

Les Henry: CO2, global climate and crop yields

It’s not all bad news: research shows higher yields from higher levels of CO2

By Les Henry May 24, 2019

About one year ago I began searching the scientific literature to determine the impact of increased carbon dioxide in our atmosphere on crop yields. It was a frustrating experience. Most of the articles seemed to have the pre-determined conclusion that CO2 was a villain rather than the major nutrient in all of our crops. A […] Read more

25 years of discussion seems to have failed.

Columns, Hart Attacks

I’m confused about carbon credits

There’s always a lot of talk around GHG, but the action isn’t obvious

By Lee Hart January 14, 2019

I don’t know about anyone else but I have great confusion over anything to do with carbon credits and national/international Greenhouse Gas (GHG) reduction programs. Is there anything real here? Is there anything really happening? I must admit anytime I see something related to carbon credits on an ag conference agenda immediately my head goes […] Read more

C4 plants have a process that allows them to use CO2 down to a much lower level than C3 plants.

Crops, Features

Untangling C3 and C4 plants

What is the difference between these two plant types,  and how does it affect the Prairies?

By Angela Lovell November 1, 2018

Recent research articles have reported that scientists are making progress converting C3 plants to C4 plants. Other articles say that C3 plants will thrive with more CO2 in the air. What’s the difference between C3 and C4 plants? What does this mean for Western Canadian agriculture? C3 and C4 plants Plants in Western Canada — […] Read more

There’s a perception in the farming community that soil erosion and degradation are in the past, but that simply isn't the case.

Crops, Features, Soybeans

Don’t forget lessons of the Dirty 30s

Although there’s a perception that dust is past, tillage erosion is on the rise in Manitoba

By Julienne Isaacs March 19, 2018

It seemed like the beginning of the end of the world: friends and neighbours dying of “dust pneumonia” and massive dust storms sweeping the land. These are some of the recollections of people who were alive in the “Dirty 30s,” recorded for an oral history project by Daryl Ritchison, interim director of the North Dakota […] Read more

One of the best disposal options is to plant the treated seed on fallow or unused ground.

Crops, Features, Livestock

Getting rid of that treated seed

Treated seed can harm livestock, or contaminate an export load. Dispose with care

By Angela Lovell January 11, 2018

The issue of disposal of treated seed hit the headlines recently when a Saskatchewan farmer discovered two cows and a bull dead in his fields after consuming treated canola seed which had been dumped illegally on his land. Seed treated with fungicides or insecticides should never be allowed to enter the feed or food chain. […] Read more

Crops

The future of broadcasting nitrogen in the fall

The inefficient practice is on the rise; however limits may be on the way in Manitoba

By Allan Dawson November 9, 2017

Broadcasting in fall is the quickest and easiest way to apply nitrogen — and the least efficient. So why, anecdotally at least, does the practice seem to be on the increase? Bigger farms and a shortage of labour could be part of it. Moreover, nobody knows when poor weather will shut down field operations. And […] Read more

Nothing wrong with these apples, but Ted asks the question: Did you experience a problem with apple fly maggots leaving tunnels and brownish mush inside any of your apples this year? Left unchecked this rampant pest can inflict severe damage. Today’s column provides food for thought and control suggestions.

Columns, FarmLife

Info on apple maggots and how to deter them

Singing Gardener: Plus, Ted shares more reader requests

By Ted Meseyton November 1, 2017

Thank you good people for your phone calls, emails, letters. I get them all. A great big hello to Herman Swab from up there at Andrew, Alberta. Herman asks on the phone: “When are you going to write that book?” Yours truly Ted replies: There are a lot of books and magazines about gardening out there, each […] Read more

Everyone enjoys seeing wildlife, but they can have a negative impact on farming and ranching operations.

Cattleman’s Corner, Livestock

Managing wildlife/agriculture conflicts

Animal Health: Proper compensation part of the solution

By Roy Lewis September 21, 2017

There have been many articles written on the escalating conflict between wildlife and agriculture (both livestock and grain production) in certain areas of Canada. Our governments struggle to find balanced management options. The most recent survey (2014) on wildlife damage by Alberta Beef Producers (ABP) and the Miistakis Institute shows a high percentage of farms […] Read more

Columns, Weather

Facing up to the truth about climate change

Reporter's Notebook: If we want consumers to accept the judgement of science, we need to return the favour

By Lisa Guenther March 23, 2017

Those pants look terrible on you. Perhaps you’ve experienced that awkward moment when you try to stop a friend from committing a fashion faux pas. If so, you may have agonized how to word your concerns to avoid offense, while still getting your message across. It’s a potentially volatile moment that perfectly captures how I […] Read more

China soybean imports hit record June high on strong Brazil shipments

Alberta crop conditions improve: report

U.S. grains: Corn sets contract lows on expectations for big US crop

GFM Network News