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Stuart Smyth says his research study illustrates how glyphosate and herbicide-tolerant canola have helped to boost sustainability on Saskatchewan farms by facilitating a shift to no-till systems.
Features

Study shows glyphosate, no-till systems and herbicide-tolerant crops benefit Prairie agriculture

Benefits include improved soil quality, less erosion, increased carbon sequestration, and reduced fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions

By
Glyphosate is Canada’s top-selling pesticide, mostly used in agriculture as a herbicide and to desiccate crops for harvest. While it has come under increasing scrutiny in recent years, glyphosate continues to play an important weed management role on many western Canadian farms. A study by University of Saskatchewan researchers suggests glyphosate has served another important […] Read more
This photo was taken in 1946 near Saskatoon, Sask. The telephone poles were barely visible.
Columns, Crops

Les Henry: Gone with the wind. Soil erosion by wind mostly history in the Prairies

Soils and Crops: We need to let society know

By
Our grandfathers broke the rich prairie sod in the early 1900s. Even then, power and machinery were available to keep the soil free of weeds in the fallow year and pulverize the soil in the process. Serious wind erosion started soon after cultivation, but the “dirty thirties” are best known for land destruction that sent […] Read more
(Okea/iStock/Getty Images)
General

At Ag in Motion: New ‘Soil Champions’ team to promote soil health

'Societies live and die by soil'

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A new group of “Soil Champions” has been formed to promote the benefits of soil health. This new committee — announced Wednesday at the Ag in Motion farm show at Langham, Sask. — will work to ensure the care and protection of Canada’s agricultural soil through education, knowledge transfer, forums for collaboration and other activities. […] Read more
Shown in this photo is leaf tip twisting and curling, also known as pig-tailing, on the leaves of copper-deficient wheat.
Crops, Features

Balance micronutrients and macronutrients in your fields for best possible outcomes

Macronutrients are essential but only one part of the nutrient equation

By
When discussing the nutrient needs of a farming operation, most producers tend to think first about the macronutrients that are applied in large quantities to fields. These macronutrients, which include elements such as nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and sulphur, are essential but only one part of a well-balanced field. There is a second category of nutrients […] Read more
Bringing cows home last fall marks the end of a season, and the opportunity to challenge my mindset and embrace new goals for next season.
Columns

Life as a regenerative ag producer is a mindset

And farmers and athletes have more in common than you’d think

By
Hello, Grainews readers. My name is Stuart Chutter and I am a new addition to the columnists at Grainews. I am a Saskatchewan farmer and an agriculture junkie with a passion for risk management, soil health and fitness.   Earlier this winter, I spent time with two of my favourite communities — the regenerative agriculture […] Read more
Marla Riekman says building a soil’s resilience will help it meet challenges during the growing season and improve overall crop growth.
Crops, Features

Strategies to increase your field’s potential

A panel discusses the importance of soil structure, tile drainage benefits and using precision ag and conservation to increase farm profitability

By
Farming has existed in one shape or form for more than 10,000 years. While farming methods have evolved considerably over that time, one thing that has remained the same is a desire among producers to get the most possible out of their land. Improving every acre was the focus of a panel discussion at Canola […] Read more
A handful of soil health projects have secured funding for the next five years in the hope of kick starting soil health practices in the field. (Assiniboine Community College photo)
Crops, Weather

Multi-million-dollar fund greenlights soil health projects

Eight projects to push soil health practices will get funding for the next five years

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Eight soil health projects across Canada will be getting a multi-million-dollar boost in private funding over the next five years. The Weston Family Foundation — the philanthropic arm of the Weston business empire — has slated $10 million for those eight projects through the organization’s soil health initiative, it was announced Feb. 13. The initiative […] Read more
Wind erosion can have devastating consequences on soil health, as seen in this photo.
Crops, Features

How to build healthier soil

Farmers discuss what works for them at Alberta Pulse Growers seminar

By
Ask a dozen people for a definition of soil health and odds are you will get 12 different answers in response. John Kolk is managing partner of Kolk Farms Conrich, located near Picture Butte, Alta., and is chair of the Alberta Biodiversity Monitoring Institute. He was also one of the speakers on a soil health […] Read more
In drier Prairie regions, there is less benefit to using enhanced efficiency fertilizers such as ESN or Super-U.
Columns, Crops

Nitrogen fertilizer management to reduce nitrous oxide emissions, Part 2

Adopt 4R practices appropriate for your farm’s crops, soils, landscapes and agro-ecological areas

By
In the last issue of Grainews (see ‘Nitrogen fertilizer management to reduce nitrous oxide emissions, Part 1’), I discussed the government of Canada’s target to reduce levels of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from fertilizer application 30 per cent below 2020 levels by 2030. As stated in that feature, it is my opinion many western Canadian […] Read more
(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)
General, Weather

Feds open up consultations for sustainable ag strategy

Producer groups to have reps on advisory committee

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The federal government has enlisted farm groups on the ground floor of consultations toward development of a long-term strategy to “amplify” the adoption and use of sustainable practices in agriculture over the next year. Agriculture Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau on Dec. 12 announced the launch of public consultations on strategy development, running from now through March […] Read more

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AgCanadaTV: In case you missed it; your national ag news recap for Jan. 9, 2026

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