Category: Agronomy

There is such thing as too early to plant soybeans, as the crop does not fare well in cool conditions (one researcher likened it to the germinating seed having a "heart attack"). More commonly, however, we're worried about going in too late, as even the short season varieties are a tad on the long side... Read More

Oftentimes after seeding is finished there is a push to move right into herbicide mode, but you should be getting into the habit of checking out plant stands as soon as possible. How a crop emerges and establishes tells the story of seeder settings, soil management or early insect pressure, so it is a great... Read More

While winter wheat is a darn hardy crop — just 15 plants per sq. foot growing in the spring can reach a very respectable yield potential — there are times when crops just don't make it through. The southwest corner of Manitoba is reporting some winter wheat issues, and crop insurance adjusters are out evaluating... Read More

Darling Mother Nature can really be tricky at times. It's bad enough that nutrient deficiency symptoms can be subtle at best, but there are some symptoms that look like several different things. Group 2 drift injury of young plants, for example, can look very much like sulphur deficiency. Soil residual Group 2 injury may be... Read More

Rolling soybean fields at or just after planting can be most efficient, but planting conditions aren't always exactly rolling-friendly. The good news is there is still time to roll long after seeding, with one very specific no-go window. But first, do you have to roll? That's the question RealAgriculture.com put to Dennis Lange, farm production... Read More

We all know that pulling a roller behind the tractor in wet conditions is akin to rolling dough without flour, with one key difference: you likely never have to park your embarrassing, dough-covered rolling pin beside the highway for all to see. Conversely, in dry conditions, a roller can actually pulverize the soil, increasing the... Read More

Dry and sunny weather during the past week has resulted in good seeding progress in many areas of the province, however, a late spring is still weighing on the total acres seeded to date, according to Saskatchewan Agriculture's Weekly Crop Report. Provincially, only 8% of crop has been seeded, versus 22% this time last year.... Read More

The Alberta Wheat Commission (AWC) has hired Lauren Comin as research manager, according to a recent press release. Comin has a PhD in bioresource and food engineering from the University of Alberta, and brings a wealth of research knowledge in advanced grain processing, strong project management skills and a keen interest in food science and... Read More

There are few things I love more than the smell of fresh cut hay. The joy of that smell for some comes from the incredible value a high-producing alfalfa field creates. But while alfalfa stands can produce for several years, each winter takes its toll on the crop, and a careful evaluation of production potential... Read More

The Government of Canada, the Government of Saskatchewan and the University of Saskatchewan today announced the creation of a new Canadian Wheat Alliance (CWA). This initiative will coordinate research and development projects to improve the yield of Canadian wheat by reducing losses under extreme weather conditions such as drought, heat, cold and diseases, according to... Read More