Averaged sea surface temperatures and sea surface temperature anomalies worldwide for the week centred on Feb. 3. (CPC.ncep.noaa.gov)

Timing of La Nina to play key role in Prairie moisture

CNS Canada –– As the El Nino weather phenomena slowly loosens its grip across Western Canada, many weather watchers say its impact has been somewhat underwhelming. However, one meteorologist said its lingering presence, coupled with the pending arrival of the La Nina weather event, may still play a large role in determining how much moisture […] Read more

Farmers check out pea plots during the Western Applied Research Corporation’s annual field day at Scott, Sask. Weed control is a perennial problem for pea producers.

Managing Group-2 resistant weeds in pulse crops across Western Canada

Cleavers, mustard, kochia and sow thistle are among the weeds getting harder 
to control, but there are methods, starting with good agronomy

Group 2 resistance is something that is really a big problem across Western Canada,” says Dr. Chris Willenborg, a researcher at the University of Saskatchewan’s plant sciences department. Willenborg has worked on several research projects that inform weed resistance in pulses. The bad news is that resistance is spreading. And the more farmers rely solely […] Read more


This plot of DuPont Pioneer’s new variety P7005AM was on display at the Ag In Motion outdoor farmshow, near Saskatoon last summer.

New corn varieties ready for 2016

Get ready to research. Twenty new grain and silage corn varieties are hitting the market

Seed companies have reported a total of 13 new corn varieties on the market for the first time in 2016. These are only the new varieties available for the next crop year — this list doesn’t include other varieties that have been released in recent years. Dow Seeds 4085 grain corn 4085 has Herculex Xtra […] Read more

In provinces such as Manitoba and Ontario, fusarium head blight is now a given.

17 crop disease prevention strategies

Fungicides are key, but there are many other parts to an effective long-term strategy

As you can tell by the fact that this article includes 17, yes 17, strategies for crop diseases prevention, there are no quick fixes. Crop disease prevention is going to be an ongoing struggle. 1. Use multiple strategies: Understand that multiple strategies are the way to go. There isn’t one big hammer, rather lots of little hammers with […] Read more


Andrew Morrison, a mixed farmer in Victoria, Australia.

VIDEO: Farming down under on the other side of the world: Pt. 2

Lisa Guenther's two-part interview with a mixed-farmer from Australia

What does farming look like on the other side of the globe? In some ways, it looks the same as any farm in Western Canada, but in other ways it’s quite different. In this second interview, Andrew Morrison, a farmer in Victoria, Australia, talks frankly about how he’s managing herbicide resistance and why he adopted […] Read more

Andrew Morrison, a mixed farmer in Victoria, Australia.

VIDEO: Farming down under on the other side of the world: Pt. 1

Lisa Guenther's two-part interview with a mixed-farmer from Australia

What does farming look like on the other side of the globe? In some ways, it looks the same as any farm in Western Canada, but in other ways it’s quite different. In this first interview, Andrew Morrison gives us an overview of his mixed farm, located in the Australian state of Victoria. He talks about […] Read more


(Country Guide file photo)

Prairie wheat bids dip slightly

CNS Canada — Cash wheat bids across Western Canada generally dropped lower during the week ended Friday. Average Canada Western Red Spring (CWRS) wheat prices were up by C$1-$3 per tonne across the three Prairie provinces, according to price quotes from a cross-section of delivery points. Bids ranged from about $221 per tonne in southern […] Read more

This photo and the one further down are of the canola on my “breaking” land — recently broken land (this is only the second time its been under a seed drill). The pictures were taken on July 27, 2015. In fall 2014 the soil test N in this field was only 20 lbs./acre to one foot but the zero to six inch level organic matter was 6.5 per cent. The “normal” areas in this field got 94 lbs. N/acre as anhydrous. This area got only the 20 lbs. N/acre as broadcast 21-0-0-24. Obviously, mineralization is providing much of the N. My zone fertilization plan involves telling the custom applicator to leave out the breaking and salty ground. It works!

Soil: Test the right pound of ground

If you don’t measure what you have, you can’t know what to add. Know the basics of taking soil tests

First, some general tips around soil testing. The first thing to note about soil testing is that it is an index — it is not like a dipstick in a crankcase. A soil test (index) rates a soil as very low to excessive and is one piece of information to guide fertilizer use. But, use […] Read more


Dutch manufacturer Agrifac offers two model sizes capable of handling boom widths up to 180 feet.

Agrifac brings sprayers to Canada

This Dutch manufacturer is making a play for a share of the Canadian sprayer market

If you’ve been to the giant Agritechnica machinery show in Germany, you probably noticed Dutch-built Agrifac high-clearance sprayers on display. In the future, you’re likely to see them at North American shows as well. The company has recently decided to strike out beyond the European market. It previously launched in Australia, and now has its sights […] Read more

Cattle market is a tough one to call

Cattle market is a tough one to call

Risk of increased 2016 production could throw a wrench into prices

This past spring, we saw the stars align with all major factors favouring higher beef and cattle prices. Moving into fall of 2015, the cattle market continues the transition phase with growing meat supplies along with softer consumer demand. Alberta packers were buying fed cattle at $182 in mid-August, which was down from the spring […] Read more