80 percent of planter setup should be done before the unit leaves the yard. That's the work that can be completed before the weather and soil are ready for putting seed in the ground. But not everything can be calibrated before heading out to the field. In this Corn School episode, Shaun Dilliott of Kearney... Read More
Category: Crop Production
Soils in much of Alberta and parts of western Saskatchewan are very dry and needing rain as early seeding activity is getting underway. Unfortunately, there doesn't appear to be widespread relief on the way in the next few weeks. "We are going to be looking for a balance across the majority of the prairies, and... Read More
Many soybeans growers will throw away the calendar and plant as early as possible this spring. That strategy works for agronomist Deb Campbell just as long as farmers pay close attention to soil conditions and the forecast. “These days, if we’re able to plant corn we can plant soybeans – ground conditions are very similar... Read More
Parts per million versus pounds per acre. Olsen versus Bray. Nitrogen versus nitrate... Some of the numbers and technical terms on the paper or email you get from the soil test lab are relevant for understanding nutrient availability for your crop and others don't actually mean much for growing crops Western Canada. So which numbers... Read More
If you haven’t tested your soil for soybean cyst nematode (SCN) lately, it may be time to take a closer look. The yield-robbing pest is quietly expanding its traditional southwestern Ontario footprint to more northern areas of Huron County and as far east as Quebec. In this episode of Real Agriculture’s Soybean School, Syngenta agronomist... Read More
If you've ever heard RealAg agronomist Peter Johnson speak, chances are you know what he thinks about hoe drills. "Hoe drills are junk. Buy a real drill. Drive on," said Johnson, while he was still the cereal specialist for OMAFRA, in this video at FarmTech a few years ago. So what does Wheat Pete have... Read More
Monsanto is still confident Canadian farmers will be able to plant Roundup Ready 2 Xtend soybeans this spring, but seed dealers and partners are working diligently on Plan B to ensure seed alternatives. The company continues to hold hope that it will receive European Union (EU) approval for the glyphosate and dicamba tolerant soybeans in... Read More
Ontario's wheat crop saw incredible growth last fall, and spring fertilizer plans must be adjusted accordingly. With advanced wheat, nitrogen application should be delayed, explains Graeme Jones, an agronomist from New Zealand who helped set a previous world record wheat yield. Timing depends on nitrogen availability in the soil and crop size, he says, in... Read More
Ontario farmers continue to wage war with fusarium head blight (FHB). The battle is far from over, as evidenced by the disease’s impact on the provincial wheat crop in 2013. But with an ever-expanding management toolbox farmers are now in a much better position to defend their crops, says University of Guelph Associate Professor David... Read More
If there was some way of measuring trending topics in farmer conversations in Western Canada over the past six months, "so, are you growing peas this year?" would be at or near the top. Thanks to the very strong prices that are accompanying a global pulse shortage, a record number of pea (and lentil) acres... Read More