Gregory fixes a broken wire while the horses watch.

A rainy May slows down seeding

Eppich News: The rhythm of the ranch rises with cattle to move, foals born and visitors

On April 29 was Joseph’s seventh birthday party. The day before, we had a surprise for him: we loaded up the family, picked up Gregory’s sister, Theresa, and went to the rodeo in North Battleford. It was Joseph’s first rodeo and while his brothers weren’t as interested, he had a lot of fun. The beginning […] Read more




Photo: Jeannette Greaves/File

Saskatchewan spring planting virtually complete

At 98 per cent complete, spring planting in Saskatchewan has essentially wrapped up for 2024, although for rain has delayed farmers’ last rounds in the northeast and east-central regions of the province. For the week ended June 10, it was the northeast that received the most precipitation in Saskatchewan. The province’s latest crop report noted […] Read more


A seeding unit sits parked in a field north of Winnipeg, Man., due to wet field conditions on June, 6, 2024.  Photo: Greg Berg

Manitoba seeding nears completion: report

Manitoba farmers made good seeding progress in early June despite wet conditions, with 92 per cent of intended acres in the ground – up nine points from the previous week, according to the latest provincial crop report for the week ended June 11. Spring cereals, peas, and grain corn were approximately 97 per cent complete. […] Read more

Photo: Allan Dawson/File

Seeding very close to wrapping up in Alberta

Spring planting in Alberta has almost wrapped up for this year, with the agriculture ministry pegging it at 97 per cent complete province-wide as of June 4. Seeding advanced 20 points on the week with the pace at the five-year average. The greatest overall progress was made in northeastern, northwestern and central Alberta. The northeast […] Read more


Joseph McKee preps seeding equipment at Stirling, southeast of Lethbridge.

Feeding dry fields

Prairie farmers find more than one way to optimize fertilizer efficiency, whether in dry growing seasons or in any growing season

Farmers and crop consultants in Western Canada have slightly different approaches to manage weather-related fertilizer application risks. With variable moisture, do you apply the full amount at seeding and hope for rain — or find another way? Most producers contacted by Grainews opt for some version of split fertilizer application when facing dry growing conditions […] Read more

(Lightguard/E+/Getty Images)

Seeding in Alberta ahead of pace

Overall spring seeding of all crops in Alberta was just over 18 per cent complete, according to the province’s first crop report of 2024. The pace was nearly seven points above the five-year average.


Photo: File

Manitoba seeding progress made, but behind average pace

Planting progress in Manitoba advanced a little bit during the week ended May 7, with four per cent of the province’s crops in the ground. With the bulk of the seeding in the central region, that’s up two points from the previous week but five behind the five-year average.

The older the seed, the greater the loss of vigour and germination will be.

Saving your own crop seed

Don't just assume two- or three-year-old seed, or even last year's seed, will still be viable

Look before you leap! Check your seed before you plant. Before getting into the topic of saving your own seed, whether it be cereals or legumes or any crop except for canola, I talked to several consultants and seed growers. Their answers were that few growers use all-new seed every year. These few exceptions actually […] Read more