Grain markets got an American Thanksgiving boost as an unexpected update from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) surprised the oilseed complex, with soyoil leading, up 7.4% for the week. Soybeans weren’t far behind as they continue their run, up 5.1%, while canola held on a bit to climb 2.6%. Corn was supported by the... Read More
Category: Crops
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
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
Real Agriculture agronomist Peter Johnson is overwhelmed by the number of corn drying questions he’s getting from farmers. We decided it was high time we put together answers to some of the most frequently asked questions in regards to safe drying of corn. In Part 1 of our Corn School grain drying video series, Johnson... Read More
To quote Monty Python: Always look on the bright side of life. And so that's how we'll begin a discussion on Ontario's Environment Commissioner's latest report entitled, Putting Soil Health First. There's some great stuff in there: recognizing that our agricultural soils' health is paramount to long-term soil productivity, that living roots and residue cover... 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
Following what they deemed a successful two-day field trial earlier this month, officials from Ontario’s Cellulosic Sugar Producers Co-operative are approaching their future with confidence. They’re actively recruiting members, raising $11 million in funds to buy equity into a processing plant in Sarnia for high-quality liquid dextrose, and to acquire the equipment necessary to harvest... 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