New wheat varieties being grown in parts of Western Canada have made it possible to produce yields that are off the charts, quite literally. Much of the research supporting nitrogen rate recommendations for wheat on the prairies has been based on a top-end yield target of 65 bushels per acre. "That was quite adequate when... Read More
Category: Crop Schools
Peas, and pulses in general, are getting a lot of attention even as we gear up for the United Nations' International Year of the Pulses. Global food trends seem to be favouring the commodity, with expectations that demand will continue to rise. For western Canadian pulse growers, this might mean developing an understanding of their... Read More
If you've noticed more than a few fleabane "escapes" in recent years, you're not alone. Glyphosate resistant Canada fleabane has spread across more than 700 kilometers of Ontario crop land in just five years. Despite its incredible distribution, Canada fleabane wasn't the first glyphosate resistant weed found in Ontario, says Dr. Peter Sikkema, field crop... Read More
Whether it's growing demand for protein or pressure to reduce carbon footprints in the food chain, pulses appear well-positioned to benefit from global food trends. As the largest pea and lentil exporter in the world, Western Canada stands to become the "protein basket of the world," says Murad Al Katib, president and CEO of Regina-based... Read More
Is wheat falling behind when it comes to research advancements and attracting investment? That depends, answers Bryan Gerard, president of Gerard Seed Solutions based in Indiana, if you're comparing the dollars and cents to totals spent on corn and soy, or comparing the historic value invested in the crop. RealAgriculture's Bern Tobin caught up with... Read More
There are still lingering questions as to how farmers access, pay for and use seed varieties under UPOV '91, which Canada adopted with the passing of Bill C-18 back in March of this year. For those that claim that under the act farmers lose their right to save seed, Patty Townsend, executive director of the... Read More
White mould is a fungus caused by Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, and tends to cause a bleached area of the stem, with black oblong sclerotia developing in the centre of the affected area, and inside the stem. But, we don't want it to get that far. Enter fungicides. "The number one problem that growers have in timing... Read More
Soybean growers could soon have access to a new tool for weed control as plans are in place to introduce varieties that are tolerant to both dicamba and glyphosate to North America in the next year or two. Dicamba tolerance will be valuable in giving farmers the ability to use multiple modes of action for... Read More
Pulse growers have some decisions to make regarding fungicide applications this summer. On one hand, dry conditions generally translate into lower disease pressure, but on the other hand, peas and lentils are in relatively good shape compared to some other crops affected by the dryness across much of Western Canada. Add the fact they're selling... Read More
We're approaching a critical stage for corn — tasseling — and weather conditions in some areas are conducive to high disease development. Recently in the Corn School, we've talked prioritizing fields for a fungicide application and where and how to scout for leaf disease in corn, but did you know that there's another factor at... Read More