Bayer’s Zone Spray is currently set up to help target sclerotinia in canola, but there are plans to incorporate other crop and disease combinations in the future.

Bayer Digital Farming launches Zone Spray

This new cloud-based program helps farmers spray only the right acres

This summer, canola growers will likely again be faced with the tough decision of whether or not to spray fields with a fungicide to protect the crop from sclerotinia. Spraying unnecessarily can mean wasted inputs, but failing to protect crops when needed could also mean significant yield losses. Even if producers decide to spray fungicide, […] Read more

The Libra TMR system allows for easier mixing of feed rations and can also be used to record the amount fed.

Agrimatics’ feed wagon management solution

This new system uses a mobile device to help 
prepare and track feed rations

Feedlot operators looking for an easier way to load and keep track of feed rations will likely appreciate the new Libra TMR system from Saskatoon-based Agrimatics. “We launched it in February,” explained Jasmine Brodziak, Agrimatics marketing director. “Basically, it comes from a product we’ve had on the market for about four years, which is called […] Read more


Editor’s Column: High speed high hopes

A few months ago I used this space to whine about describe the internet speed on our farm. The key word was “slow.” Since then, another local provider has sprung up. It’s using newer technology, and it has been building towers all over southeast Saskatchewan. We signed up right away, and we couldn’t be happier. […] Read more

AutoTrac Turn Automation is one of four new applications John Deere will offer for 2018.

New AutoTrac options from John Deere

John Deere releases more advanced guidance and options for data sharing

In early December John Deere released three new advanced or expanded guidance features along with a new machine data-sharing application for its Generation 4 displays. AutoTrac Turn Automation, AutoTrac Implement Guidance, AutoTrac Vision for Tractors and the In-Field Data Sharing applications are now being sold as bundled activations for the John Deere 4600 CommandCenter and […] Read more


A bridge system from Agra-GPS allows 
Deere GreenStar GPS to function in several non-Deere machines.

Bridging the digital gap

 Agra-GPS “bridge” kit makes Deere GPS compatible with other brands

John Deere currently offers a pretty broad range of digital features for its equipment, and many Prairie growers are familiar with using the brand’s GPS and data management systems. But for those using mixed fleets, transferring the Deere technology to other machines and getting anything near the full range of available features hasn’t always been […] Read more

VIDEO: A 3D view of the grain inside your bin to help prevent spoilage

VIDEO: A 3D view of the grain inside your bin to help prevent spoilage

Inventors' Showcase entrant at Manitoba Ag Days showcased serious technology to help spot spoilage before it occurs

Have you ever been sitting at home wondering what’s going on with the moisture content inside your grain bin? Well, wonder no more. Using spectral imaging technology – similar to that of an MRI or CT scan – GrainViz creates a 3D moisture map of the grain inside your bin that you can view via […] Read more


GSI’s FlexWave inflatable liner pushes grain toward an auger trough, eliminating the need to manually enter bins to clean them out.

GSI introduces FlexWave

Inflatable liners clean out bin floors

Imagine an easier way to clean out flat-bottom grain bins. GSI was demonstrating its new FlexWave technology in August at the U.S. Farm Progress Show in Illinois as an entirely new and easy way to do exactly that. According to the company, FlexWave is a new alternative to the common grain bin sweeps, brooms and […] Read more

The BeanIoT thumb-sized “smart” sensors could be deployed in grain bins to measure temperature, humidity or insect movements.

Putting “smart” beans to work in the bin

New technology has game-changing potential for grain storage monitoring

A new technology coming out of Cambridge, England could provide an easy, flexible and cost-effective way for farmers to monitor stored grain, livestock barns, greenhouses or chemical storage sheds. The BeanIoT system deploys thumb-sized “smart” sensors to monitor whatever the user requires. In a grain storage shed or bin that might be temperature, humidity, or […] Read more


Jitendra Paliwal (left) adjusts the antennae on the 3D electromagnetic imaging system at the U of M’s grain storage research laboratory while Paul Card (right) watches.

Detecting grain spoilage in the bin before it starts

An adaptation of cancer-screening technology offers a better and safer way to check for grain bin moisture, with a bonus of theft detection

An electromagnetic imaging technique originally designed to detect breast cancer tumours is now being adapted for a totally different use — locating spoiled grain in bins. The research project at the University of Manitoba uses electromagnetic imaging (EMI) to create a 3D profile of a bin, showing pockets of moisture which can overheat and spoil. […] Read more

Since Manitoba Hydo announced its solar incentive program, 
there has been an upsurge of interest in solar energy.

Incentives spur interest in solar energy

Thanks to solar energy, this farmer received a credit on his mid-winter energy bill

Tim Sawatzky never tires of the sight of the 80 solar panels that make up his 20.8 kilowatt (kW) solar energy system on his farm near MacGregor, Manitoba. He’s happy to talk about how pleased he is with the system, which is already saving him money three months after he installed it. Sawatzky gave his […] Read more