Insects come and go over the years, so ask other growers and agronomists what you need to watch out for to help gauge costs.

Consider variable costs when planning your rotation

Q & A with an expert

Q: What key financial decisions do I need to make about crop production and protection? A: Going into the 2023 growing season, you may be thinking, what are the key financial decisions I need to make around crop production and protection?  This question is one of the most important every year for crop planning. There […] Read more

Anthracnose management in lentils

Anthracnose management in lentils

Q & A with an expert

Q: What can I do to control anthracnose in my lentil crops? A: The anthracnose pathogen in lentils has been a problem for producers in southern Saskatchewan and other lentil-producing areas. Even with the dry growing conditions in regions of southern Saskatchewan, the disease seems to appear after only minimal rainfall.  Anthracnose is a fungal […] Read more


When wheels cause soil damage 

When wheels cause soil damage 

Q & A with an expert

Q: Can we fix compaction?  A: As equipment becomes bigger and total loaded weight becomes heavier, our soils are often subjected to compaction. When equipment was lighter, this compaction tended not to extend very deep into the soil, and the effect was often resolved by frost cycles that fractured and turned the surface soil. Now, […] Read more

When aphanomyces is confirmed in pea or lentil fields, a break of six to eight years is recommended to allow spore levels to decrease in the soil.

Management strategies for long-term sustainability

Q & A with an expert

Q: Do current commodity prices affect decisions with your field operations? A: As one navigates the supply and demand factors of commodity economics, the act of grain marketing seems to be one of the more challenging components of the modern-day farming operation. However, the more significant challenge you should be tackling is the management of […] Read more


combine in the field

Observe, monitor and record these factors in your fields this fall

Q & A with an expert

Q: What factors are important to consider during my fall crop evaluation? A: Farmers are continually observing and assessing the development of their crops throughout the year — and adjusting crop production management to address concerns or opportunities. At harvest time, we must record the outcome of all of those efforts.  When we think of […] Read more

Economic and ecological benefits of annual forages

Economic and ecological benefits of annual forages

Q & A with an expert

Q: What can I do with my unseeded acres now the weather is more favourable?  A: Flooding and drought at seeding time are common situations that may lead to acres being unseeded to previously planned high-value crops. While crop insurance can provide varying levels of compensation for acres unseeded to long-season cash crops, sometimes opportunities […] Read more


If your desire is to reduce costs heading into an uncertain spring season, seed treatment may be one of the first agronomic tools to be removed from your crop plan. However, seed treatment is an important investment for your farm, regardless of growing or economic conditions.

Why seed treatment is important this year

Q & A with an expert

Q: Why should I keep a seed treatment in my crop plan? A: Amid severe drought in parts of the Prairies and the desire to reduce costs heading into an uncertain spring season, seed treatment may be one of the first agronomic tools to be removed from your crop plan. However, seed treatment is an […] Read more

Three fundamental elements to manage weeds

Three fundamental elements to manage weeds

Q & A with an expert

Q: What can I do to reduce potential herbicide-resistance issues? A: Driver weed populations on a farm level tend to remain relatively consistent over time. Some species may move into cropland from field edges and pasture lands and others may leave with reduction in tillage. Generally, the weed species that cause most issues on a […] Read more



Having crop inputs purchased or secured is especially important this year as the ag industry continues to face supply chain challenges.

‘Success is the residue of planning’

Q & A with an expert

Q: What tips can you offer to help me build my crop plan? A: Winston Churchill once said, “He who fails to plan is planning to fail.” This is as true today as when Churchill first said it, and agriculture is no exception. With the 2022 growing season fast approaching, now is the time to […] Read more