Category: Crop Production

Farmers across Canada may have planted slightly more canola and wheat than expected, if Statistics Canada's acreage estimates prove to be accurate. The agency released its June field crop survey results on Wednesday (June 28), and it underlined a shift away from pulses and smaller acreage crops toward growing more canola, wheat, soybeans, and corn.... Read More

There are several considerations when deciding to try cover crops to maximum potential, and there are likely equally plentiful considerations to termination when the time comes. While there are a few mainstream ways to terminate a cover crop, Farming Smarter at Lethbridge, Alta., is looking at using a roller crimper to do the job. The... Read More

Farmers in parts of Alberta and moving east will likely end up with some welcome moisture as the calendar flips to July; however, the parched southern areas aren't likely to see much of the rain action. Ontario is in an unsettled weather pattern that's sure to bring plenty of water followed by heat, and the... Read More

Scouting fields, it's very common to see several species of beetle scurrying along the ground and up plants. Plenty of these beetles are likely friends and not foes, as ground beetles are a diverse species with plenty of members doing good work in the crop canopy. Dr. Khaldoun Ali, a plant-insect ecologist at the University... Read More

Volunteer corn or canola aren't just a plant out of place — both can eat yield and quality, depending on the following crop. Managing volunteers benefits from several layers of cultural practices, such as harvest settings and row spacing, and a well thought-out herbicide strategy. To delve into the challenge of volunteers, this episode of... Read More

By Karen Proud In the fall of 2022 the world’s population cracked 8 billion and we are projected to hit 8.5 billion by 2030, a year that coincides with many ambitious climate objectives. One of those objectives is a voluntary target of reducing GHG emissions from the application of nitrogen fertilizer by 30 per cent... Read More

For many, branding season is quickly coming to a close. Calves are moving out to grass where possible, and the summer season is underway, says Anne Wasko of the Gateway Livestock Exchange. On this week's episode of the Beef Market Update, host Shaun Haney and Wasko discuss a few key topics including western Canadian cattle... Read More

A well-written contract should spell out the risk and responsibilities of both parties involved. In agriculture, grain contracts spell out expectations, but the Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan says current contracts don't go far enough to manage farmers' risk. Following an estimated $60 million in farmer losses due to cancelled contracts with one grain buyer... Read More