Palmer amaranth.

Stem Shock: new herbicide in development

A new mode of action based on RNA could soon be killing a weed near you

It’s been over 20 years since chemical companies released a new mode of action in herbicides. But a B.C.-based company is cooking up a whole new type of herbicide. “We use a different mode of action for the actual killing of the plants than a lot of traditional herbicides. Most herbicides, by reducing the specific […] Read more

Sarah Hoffman shares a picker truck, a heavy harrow and yes, even this sprayer with various neighbours.

The neighbours that spray together…

How we make sharing a crucial piece of farm equipment work on our farm

I’m not dead, I’m just married!” These were my words to Grainews editor Leeann when she wondered if I was writing another column anytime soon. That was several weeks ago. Being married and also farming in two different locations has certainly blown my hair back these last several months. The logistical challenges, not to mention […] Read more


Herbicide resistance is a global problem that requires a local solution, says
Kate Sanford Mitchell. Farmers, researchers and industry from North America 
to Australia are trying to find effective ways to control resistant weeds.

Resist herbicide resistance

Farmers don’t create herbicide resistance, but management practices can encourage it

While many farmers think about herbicide resistance in Australia, the U.K. and the U.S., the reality is that it’s a Canadian problem, too, says Kate Sanford Mitchell. We need to listen to extension specialists who are sounding the alarm about herbicide resistance, she adds. “Weed resistance is a global problem that requires a local solution,” […] Read more

lentils

Consider timing when choosing desiccants for lentils

Depending on what you're trying to achieve, you do have choices

Whether you’re an old hand at growing lentils, or relatively inexperienced, it’s worth brushing up on a few harvest tips before the combines start rolling. Harvest success begins before seeding. It’s best to pick land that’s fairly level and stone-free, says Dale Risula, provincial specialist with Saskatchewan Agriculture in Regina. “Rolling your land is a […] Read more


volunteer canola

Control volunteer canola with chemistry

Agronomy tips... from the field

You need to be aware of what you’ve seeded in the past to manage canola volunteers. Depending on the past canola system used, volunteers can come up with traits, including glyphosate tolerance, that you need to plan for when choosing a control option. It’s common to see several dozen volunteers per square foot emerge during […] Read more

Canada thistle

Canada thistle still on ‘least wanted’ list

Early and thorough control is essential to keep Canada thistle under control

Canada thistle has been a thorn in farmers’ sides since before Confederation. In 1865, when the Canada Thistle Act of Upper Canada was signed into law, Her Majesty required all citizens of Upper Canada “to cut, or to cause to be cut down all the Canada thistles growing theron.” The Act continued, “If any owner, […] Read more


Set your soybeans up for success

Set your soybeans up for success

Many factors come in to play in getting your soybean crop off to a good start. Field selection, fertility, varietal selection and planting populations are some of the key elements to be considered during the planning phase. As the planning phase ends and you move to in-season practices, your early season weed control will be […] Read more

Weed control in a dry summer

Weed control in a dry summer

Dry summer weather could mean a whole new slate of weed control challenges

When it comes to weed control, no two seasons are the same. This year, many forecasters are predicting a hot, dry summer. What challenges will this bring? For one thing, some weeds that thrive better under hot, dry conditions, says weed expert, Robert Blackshaw with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada in Lethbridge, Alberta. “Some weeds that […] Read more


Wild oat is the most abundant weed in Saskatchewan. Researcher Hugh Beckie says it’s safe to assume that wild oat in your field is resistant to Group 1 herbicides. 


Fighting herbicide-resistance

Herbicide resistant weeds aren’t a novelty anymore — now they’re just the norm

While herbicide resistance isn’t a new problem, it is a growing one. Today 80 countries report herbicide-resistant weeds, says a researcher. And Canada is near the top of that list. Dr. Ian Heap heads the international survey on herbicide-resistant weeds, and reported those findings at the Herbicide Resistance Summit in Saskatoon this March. “North America […] Read more

Setter Manufacturing of Russell, Manitoba, offers a line of sprayer systems designed to work on a typical UTV.

PHOTOS: Small-scale sprayers offer targeted weed killing

Today’s high-clearance farm sprayers come equipped with boom widths of 100 feet or more, which makes getting them into sharp corners or tight places pretty difficult. And with some precision ag data collection systems now able to pinpoint small problem weed areas in a field, spraying them with very wide booms may mean wasting product. […] Read more