Stating a "weight of evidence" that neonicotinoid imidacloprid poses too high a risk to aquatic insects, Health Canada announced today a proposed three-year phase out of the insecticide. In Canada, imidacloprid is used in some cereal and potato seed treatments, as well as within the horticulture industry. Health Canada says it drew on data submitted... Read More
Category: Agronomy
It's Wednesday! And that means it's time for resident agronomist Peter Johnson's latest Word. While there's not much growing out there this time of year except line ups at the corn dryer, there's always something to talk about. In this week's Wheat Pete's Word, the Wildman talks corn trials (with some smart cautions), insecticide seed... Read More
Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs weed specialist Mike Cowbrough used to carry five or six scouting and management guides when he headed out to scout fields. Those days are gone. Now he just reaches into his pocket, pulls out his smart phone and opens his Pest Manager App. The Pest Manager app,... Read More
In Western Canada in 2016 there were some highs and very low lows of dry weather, too much rain, high crop tonnage and then a crazy harvest full of adversity that is yet to wrap up. At the recent Bayer Agronomy summit, Shaun Haney wrangled up an agronomy geeks panel of some real keeners. Joining... Read More
How will the early snow in Alberta and Saskatchewan affect the quality of canola that was (or is) still in the field? Generally, moisture — whatever form it's in — has less impact on the quality of the oilseed versus a cereal crop, but it turns out the impact of snow on canola quality has... Read More
The clubroot story in Western Canada continues to be written as researchers are finding additional strains of the pathogen that are capable of overcoming genetic resistance. So far, 13 new variants have been identified since the breakdown of resistance was first confirmed in 2013, explains Stephen Strelkov, plant pathology researcher at the University of Alberta.... Read More
We kick off this week's Wheat Pete's Word with running diagnostics on the #plantgreen corn for 2016 to try and figure out all that went right, and what went wrong. Plus, a reminder about registering for the South-West Ag Conference happening in early January (even Lyndsey Smith is speaking!), as this event sells out each... Read More
Wide row soybeans are making a comeback in Ontario. One of the benefits of the system is the ability to potentially reduce seed cost. But soybean varieties are not created equal, especially when it comes to delivering top yields and profitability in 30-inch rows. In this episode of Real Agriculture Soybean School, Pride Seeds market... Read More
Changes to the 2017 Farmland Health Incentive Program (FHIP) will create an even greater focus on managing water quality in the western and central Lake Erie basin. For the past two years, FHIP, part of the Great Lakes Agricultural Stewardship Initiative (GLASI), has focused on supporting and funding Ontario farmer stewardship efforts in an area... Read More
Cover crops will make you a better farmer, but don’t let them cost you yield. That’s the message Real Agriculture agronomist Peter Johnson wants to deliver as he surveys a growing body of cover crop research. In this video, Johnson touts the benefits of cover crops – from better soil health and increased organic matter,... Read More