Blackleg in canola.

Helping our plants to help themselves

One day, farmers may be able to use natural products to fight blackleg and other diseases

New research that could lead to a biological alternative to chemical fungicides began with work into food safety. “We were interested in whether food-fermenting lactobacilli would produce molecules that prevent fungal growth,” says Dr. Michael Gaenzle, who is leading the research into antifungal lipids at the University of Alberta. Gaenzle’s team came across some molecules […] Read more

Former Prime Minister Kim Campbell at the University of Alberta.

The wacky world of decision-making

Hart Attacks: When there is too much information, there must be an app for that

Here’s one “flypaper” email list you want to avoid — the Conservative Party of Canada. I made the mistake back in Stephen Harper’s days as prime minister — it might have even been during his first term — but I sent a donation to the Conservative Party. The pitch was if I sent even a […] Read more


Wheat research in the pipeline

Wheat research in the pipeline

Not happy with wheat in your rotation? One of these projects will brighten your future

Following is a roundup of some of the major wheat research and breeding projects across Manitoba, Alberta and Saskatchewan that address priority areas such as increasing yield, improving disease and pest resistance, agronomics and tolerance to drought and excess moisture, as well as end-use qualities. Better wheat under stress Two projects are looking at improving […] Read more

Getting the dirt on 4R nutrient stewardship

Getting the dirt on 4R nutrient stewardship

Fertilizer Canada’s 4R nutrient stewardship research tour delivers valuable information

In the ever-changing world of farming, information is a more valuable commodity than the finest canola crop. Consequently, the recently launched webinar series “Across Canada Tour of 4R Nutrient Stewardship Research” sponsored by Fertilizer Canada is must-see viewing. The tour began last month in Alberta, where co-presenter Dr. Miles Dyck offered an overview of 4R […] Read more


The benefits of sex-free agriculture

With crop breeding by apomixes, seed-saving could change up the seed industry

Apomixis is a disruptive technology.” These was the oft-repeated phrase of Tim Sharbel, Global Institute for Food Security (GIFS) research chair in Seed Biology, at the recent Canadian Farm Writers’ Federation annual conference in Saskatoon. Sharbel was speaking on the topic “Eliminating sex from agriculture to feed the world,” an overview of his research at […] Read more

This is a feed barley crop at Spiritwood, Sask., in 1996, on Gray Wooded loam soil. This crop yielded 80 bu./ac. with no fertilizer in the year of seeding.

A convert to long-term experiments

Soil fertility is a long-term prospect that calls for long-term approaches to research

In my younger days I was not a fan of long-term experiments. Almost all were on Federal Research stations with good soils and plot practices that did not always relate to farm fields. But recent information coming from long-term experiments has changed my mind. Worldwide, the longest experiment is the famous Broadbalk field at Rothamsted […] Read more


Volunteer canola.

Controlling seeds post-harvest

Can pulverizing weed seeds after harvest control weeds in Western Canada?

As buzz builds about Australia’s Harrington Seed Destructor, researchers are looking at whether pulverizing seeds after harvest will work on the Prairies. But preliminary research shows post-harvest seed control is unlikely to work for all of Western Canada’s weeds. Breanne Tidemann presented new research at the Herbicide Resistance Summit in Saskatoon this March. Tidemann, who is […] Read more

VIDEO: The potential for post-harvest weed control in Western Canada

VIDEO: The potential for post-harvest weed control in Western Canada

From the International Weed Resistance Summit

With machines like the Harrington Seed Destructor grabbing international headlines, many in Canada wonder whether post-harvest weed control could be the answer to herbicide resistance. Breanne Tidemann, a Ph.D. student at the University of Alberta, decided to find out. Lisa Guenther caught up with Tidemann at the Herbicide Resistance Summit in Saskatoon this March to […] Read more


These field peas were seeded using the CTF system tucked in close to the standing stubble of the previous crop. The pea crop is able to use any residual nutrients from the previous crop and the standing cereal stubble provides protection and may help to support the pea crop as it matures. 


CTF delivers improved crop emergence

Consistently higher yields are yet to come, but CTF improves overall efficiency

Steve Larocque is using his precision farming system to get to the root of improved crop emergence, which in the last few seasons appears to be getting about 80 to 90 per cent of the seeds coming out the ground. The word root is used both literally and figuratively for the central Alberta farmer and […] Read more

Steve’s Trucking developed a hydraulic system to lift two decks inside an livestock trailer making it easier to load and unload animals.

Great ideas for lifting hogs recognized

Two different lift systems reduce stress for people and animals

The 2016 F. X. Aherne award for Innovative Pork Production is being shared by two winners. Sam Gelowitz of the Prairie Swine Centre in Saskatoon, Sask. received the award for an innovative carcass-removal cart, while Steve’s Livestock Transport of Manitoba received the prize for a new hydraulic lift deck trailer. The awards were presented at […] Read more