In theory, variable rate (VR) technology should result in more efficient use of a farm's resources, whether that's a lower fertilizer bill, improved crop uniformity, or other potential benefits. So why, since most seeding tools are capable of using prescription maps, are adoption rates of VR not higher? And will we see a new wave... Read More
Category: Agronomy
On December 12, 2022, the Canadian government launched public consultations on the creation of a Sustainable Agriculture Strategy (SAS). The strategy — which would be separate from the agricultural policy framework agreements signed by the federal, provincial, and territorial governments every five years — is intended to "provide a coordinated approach to improving the agriculture... Read More
Those looking for a challenge need to look no further than trying to grow the best crop of dry edible beans. Whether in Manitoba, Ontario, or further afield, dry beans offer a real possibility of tidy profit, but the crop is most certainly not for the faint of heart. To get through some of the... Read More
Researchers look to solve problems ahead of time, including trying to find solutions to emerging pests, or expanding markets both locally and globally. Doug Heath, research manager for Sask Canola, says that right now, the eleven ongoing Agriculture Development Fund projects range from disease resistance to abiotic stress of canola. When it comes to diseases,... Read More
Canola growers in Western Canada likely won't have access to crop protection products that contain lambda-cyhalothrin — one of the main active ingredients used to control insect pests — in 2023, which means there are several factors that need to be considered in planning for managing insects, such as flea beetles and grasshoppers. Lambda-cy products,... Read More
Farmer-designed research is a collaborative way of solving problems and innovating based on farmer's own experiences and needs. Louis Longchamps, a professor of digital agronomy at Cornell University, says that effective design of on-farm research is important to get the most out of the work. He points out that farmers already collect plenty of rough... Read More
Fungicides are a key tool in the tar spot management toolbox. But what's the best time for growers to apply a fungicide to get optimal control of the disease and the best return on their crop protection investment? On this episode of the RealAgriculture Corn School we catch up with Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food... Read More
Before you know it, the days are going to start getting longer, just as meteorological winter begins! And what does winter really mean? Conference season! In this week's episode of Wheat Pete's Word, host Peter Johnson answers your questions left on the phone line, offers some solid life advice from an astronaut, and shares his... Read More
The potential loss of access to an insecticide used to manage flea beetle populations poses a challenge for canola production in Western Canada in 2023. Syngenta and ADAMA Canada have recalled insecticide products containing lambda-cyhalothrin, under the trade names Matador and Silencer, from their distribution channels in Western Canada, following a decision by the Pest... Read More
What’s the best way to manage corn residue to mitigate soybean yield loss in a no-till system? That's a question University of Wisconsin Madison soybean specialist Shawn Conley hears more and more from growers as both corn yield and the biomass produced by more prolific hybrids continues to grow. On this episode of the RealAgriculture... Read More