University of Manitoba Archives - Page 5 of 8

When a seed sprouts in the field, starches, which ultimately become bread or pasta, convert to sugars, which make end products, like bread or pasta too sticky.

Genes can control pre-harvest sprouting

Manitoba researchers are using new technology to solve an old problem 

By Angela Lovell March 21, 2017

Pre-harvest sprouting of cereal seeds in the field is directly linked to the seed’s dormancy level. Plants produce different compounds that regulate physiological processes, including seed germination and dormancy. When seeds are dormant, even if they have adequate moisture, heat and oxygen, they simply won’t germinate. One of the factors which prevents seeds from germinating […] Read more

During a training exercise, students hid around a tractor while another student in the cab tried to spot them, most remained unseen. That highlighted the need to do a walk around before starting machinery.

Machinery

U of M hopes to expand machine safety training

By Scott Garvey March 15, 2017

As a group of students were clustered around and under a tractor, another student in the cab looked out to try and see them. It was all part of the University of Manitoba’s first tractor safety training day. The point of the exercise was to show a class of ag students how many bind spots […] Read more

Machinery

U of M holds first tractor safety day

Pilot project aims to teach ag students about on-farm machinery safety

By Scott Garvey March 15, 2017

Last weekend I found myself sitting in the local Tim Hortons having coffee with a retired farmer. He was missing some fingers on his left hand from an amputation. And it made me think of how many retired — and current — farmers I know just in this area that have similar injuries from a […] Read more

Columns

Control blood pressure with flax

Reporter's Notebook: New research shows that eating ground flaxseed can lower your blood pressure

By Lisa Guenther March 10, 2017

One of the interesting side effects of covering agriculture is that influences my eating habits. I get to hear about the research into food uses and health claims of the crops grown in Western Canada. I eat pulses for the fibre and protein. I use canola oil several times a week. I’m not shy about […] Read more

Crops, Features

Apomixis 101

By Julienne Isaacs February 27, 2017

Apomixis could be called the Holy Grail of plant breeding. According to Rob Duncan, a canola breeder at the University of Manitoba, scientists have been working on it since the 1840s. Even Gregor Mendel, the father of modern genetics, caught the apomixis bug, analyzing the apomictic properties of hawkweed species in the 1860s. What is […] Read more

Crops, Soybeans

Soybean cyst nematodes on the Prairies?

This yield-stealing roundworm moves with soil. And it's probably on its way to your soybean field

By Dilia Narduzzi February 21, 2017

The soybean cyst nematode is the number one yield robber in soybean crops in Ontario and the U.S. This parasitic roundworm has been in North America since the mid-1950s, with the first detection in North Carolina, says Albert Tenuta, provincial field crop pathologist with the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. Since then […] 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.

Columns, Crops

A convert to long-term experiments

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

By Les Henry January 25, 2017

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

Features, Machinery

PHOTOS: Do it with drones

Harvest timing, fertilizer application, elevation mapping — drones are putting new information in farmers’ hands

By Lisa Guenther September 27, 2016

Farmers are buying drones, but often they can’t use the technology to its full potential, says Matt Johnnson. And new drone operators need to research the options available and safety requirements before flying, he adds. Johnson owns M3 Aerial Productions, based in Winnipeg. A math teacher by profession, he started using drones for real estate […] Read more

Crops, Features, Forages

Forages and grasses for marginal land

Permanent cover crops can increase fertility in "problem soils" over time

By Julienne Isaacs September 26, 2016

Jeff Schoenau has a word for agricultural areas currently in annual production that fail to deliver a return on expensive inputs: “heartache land.” It’s better known as “marginal” land, and it can be defined as land with soil that has limitations including poor water-holding capacity and water availability to roots due to sandy texture or […] Read more

Dr. Mario Tenuta looks at arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi through a microscope at CanolaPALOOZA, hosted by the Manitoba Canola Growers Association and the Canola Council of Canada at Portage la Prairie, Manitoba, in June.

Crops, Features

Nurture fungus for good growth

Find out why your flax suffers following canola. It’s all about the fungus

By Leeann Minogue September 15, 2016

There are a of things to consider when you’re planning long-term rotations: herbicide rotations, nitrogen needs, rainfall. How about adding fungus to that list? The relationship between fungi in your soil and plant roots has a big impact on your crop health. This relationship can cause flax to be stunted when it’s grown in rotation after canola. […] Read more

GFM Network News

U.S. livestock: Cattle rally, hogs slide

U.S. grains: Soybeans touch 16-month high, wheat firm on Chinese demand hopes

African swine fever risk tightens feed ingredient trade rules with Taiwan

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