wheat stem sawfly

How farmers can help map, monitor and forecast pest outbreaks

Researchers can help producers develop pest management plans — but farmers’ help is needed to know which pests are where, and how many

Prairie scientists conducting research into field crop pests can always use more help from producers — whether it’s by granting access to farmland, or just by reporting what they see in the field.


farmer piloting drone in canada

Evaluating new tech, products and practices

There is always something new around the corner, so how do crop consultants filter out the noise and arrive at a reliable recommendation for their clients?

With new products, new production practices and new technology converging in the agriculture industry at a frenetic pace, independent agronomists and crop advisors try to sort the wheat from the proverbial chaff as they advise clients on what might or might not work on an individual farm. Not only has the pace of introducing new […] Read more

Ron Tone started his own independent agronomy business in 1996 following a 17-year farming career in southern Manitoba.

Having those tough conversations

A veteran agronomist, speaking at the recent Manitoba Agronomists Conference, offers advice on how to handle difficult discussions with clients

There is perhaps no bigger challenge for an agronomist than having a tough but frank conversation with a farmer client. You won’t get any argument on that count from Ron Tone. He founded Tone Ag Consulting in 1996, following a 17-year career as a farmer. His independent agricultural consulting firm specializes in damage claims, crop […] Read more


At left is a wheat crop seeded on shorter or more conventional stubble height, which trapped less snow over winter. At right is a more robust crop growing in taller stubble that was able to capture more snow.

Research confirms value of taller crop stubble

Technology is available to help set up, measure and monitor on-farm research projects

Leaving taller crop stubble in the fall can improve the odds of higher crop yield in the following year, says Saskatchewan crop consultant Mike Palmier. His field observations in the 2021 growing season, followed by on-farm research trials through 2022 and 2023, produced data to support a recommendation to leave taller crop stubble. Even a […] Read more

At the podium, Jeremy Boychyn, co-ordinator of the Plot2Farm program, introduces three Alberta producers, who have participated in on-farm research trials, to delegates attending the Prairie Cereals Summit, organized by the Alberta Wheat and Barley Commissions in December. Producers seated from left to right include Devon Hartzler, who farms near Carstairs, Wade McAllister, who farms near Innisfail, and Gord Ellis, who farms near Olds. Hartzler was involved in projects looking at different barley and wheat seeding rates, McAllister’s project looked at row spacing for wheat, while the 2021 project for Ellis evaluated the effectiveness of a PGR on barley.

A whole new approach to on-farm research

February deadline approaches for the next round of projects

Gord Ellis and Wade McAllister are two Alberta producers who say properly designed, field-scale, on-farm research projects over the past couple of growing seasons have provided some valuable information relevant to their farms. Both producers were involved in the relatively new Plot2Farm program developed by the Alberta Wheat and Barley Commissions. In 2020, Ellis, of […] Read more