Several government departments, consultations, and decisions are converging to clear a path for gene-editing technology to be approved as a breeding technique for conventional crops. That's right, if the last hurdle can be cleared — approval of gene-edited plants for livestock feed — a variety or cultivar produced with gene-editing techniques would be considered non-novel... Read More
Category: Crops
The Flax Council of Canada has a new president, as Rick Mitzel has been named to the post, effective immediately. Mitzel replaces Wayne Thompson, who has moved on to serve as executive director at the Western Grains Research Foundation. Mitzel will continue his role as executive director of Saskatchewan Mustard Development Commission and CEO of... Read More
Record yields in 2022 after a late start are raising some questions about the assumption that earlier is always better for planting corn in Manitoba and other northern growing areas. Historical averages in Manitoba show a downward trend in yield with each week that passes in May, but the 2022 crop set a new bar... Read More
If a farm has the capacity to buy land, it's often stymied by the lack of land for purchase, not an unwillingness to take on the work or the debt. It's still surprising to learn that about 40 per cent of land being farmed in Canada is being rented, according to Farm Credit Canada (FCC).... Read More
Wheat. A mainstay of crop rotations globally and a huge part of the Canadian export market, wheat has not had a great run the last few weeks. To unpack all that's going on with this market, we go to Brian Voth, founder of Intellifarm Inc., based at Manitoba. First, Voth says we need to check... Read More
Across the Prairies, there's no doubt that you'll see a few grasshoppers over the course of the summer — especially when it is hot and dry. However, if the conditions are right, you'll see grasshoppers feeding early in the season and sometimes even find eggs in the field. Lyle Jensen, of AgroPlus Inc., says as... Read More
A properly calibrated planter can make a key contribution to corn yield but could the planter wheels be causing yield-robbing soil compaction? Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs corn specialist Ben Rosser says it's important for growers to be aware of soil compaction on or around corn rows during planting. On this episode... Read More
Capturing carbon is one thing, but as many farmers are aware, quantifying the amount of carbon being sequestered can be a tricky feat. Hebert Grain Ventures (HGV), of Fairlight, Sask., has joined the Canadian Alliance for Net-Zero Agriculture (CANZA), and will work with researchers from the University of Saskatchewan on a national case study. The... Read More
Water, water, water — in this episode of Wheat Pete's Word, the topic of water comes up several times. From ancient lakes, to wet weather, to the erosive power of water, to mixing order for spray solution, water is a hot topic this week. Also on this week's Word, host Peter Johnson says nay to... Read More
The Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Marie-Claude Bibeau today announced how Canada will handle crop cultivars that contain gene-editing as part of the breeding process. Bibeau says the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has officially published updated guidance for Part V(5) of the Seed Regulations to make it clear which plants — whether developed via... Read More