We all know that pulling a roller behind the tractor in wet conditions is akin to rolling dough without flour, with one key difference: you likely never have to park your embarrassing, dough-covered rolling pin beside the highway for all to see. Conversely, in dry conditions, a roller can actually pulverize the soil, increasing the... Read More
Category: Crop Production
The USDA reported this week that estimated corn planting progress has jumped from 28 to 71% in one week. Only two and half weeks ago, the market and farmers were slightly concerned about the snow falling in parts of the Northern Mid West. Even places like Minnesota which temporarily felt like the calendar had gone... Read More
In this riveting edition of Thumbs Up, Thumbs Down, Shaun Haney and Lyndsey Smith tackle hard-hitting news items, like the new CWB ad and whether or not it's funny and how PETA is apparently spying on ranchers, the only way they know how — with humour and sarcasm. In this segment, you'll find out why... Read More
Dry and sunny weather during the past week has resulted in good seeding progress in many areas of the province, however, a late spring is still weighing on the total acres seeded to date, according to Saskatchewan Agriculture's Weekly Crop Report. Provincially, only 8% of crop has been seeded, versus 22% this time last year.... Read More
The Alberta Wheat Commission (AWC) has hired Lauren Comin as research manager, according to a recent press release. Comin has a PhD in bioresource and food engineering from the University of Alberta, and brings a wealth of research knowledge in advanced grain processing, strong project management skills and a keen interest in food science and... Read More
It is no secret that around 80% of farmers use common wheat seed every spring. Farmers have the right to save seed. They key is that this common seed be from a registered variety in Western Canada. Enter the issue surrounding common Faller Wheat. Someone has sold a large amount of common Faller wheat seed... Read More
There are few things I love more than the smell of fresh cut hay. The joy of that smell for some comes from the incredible value a high-producing alfalfa field creates. But while alfalfa stands can produce for several years, each winter takes its toll on the crop, and a careful evaluation of production potential... Read More
The Government of Canada, the Government of Saskatchewan and the University of Saskatchewan today announced the creation of a new Canadian Wheat Alliance (CWA). This initiative will coordinate research and development projects to improve the yield of Canadian wheat by reducing losses under extreme weather conditions such as drought, heat, cold and diseases, according to... Read More
The most advanced winter wheat is at the flag leaf stage and roughly 85% of the corn crop is planted, according to the latest crop update from the Golden Horseshoe Soil & Crop Improvement Association. Winter wheat weed control applications should be made prior to the flag leaf stage, Peter Johnson, cereal specialist, says. Pasture... Read More
Ontario ginseng is the class of its field. The species grown here, called American ginseng (versus Asian ginseng, the other popular variety) is the apple of ginseng exporters’ eye. It now generates $130 million in export sales annually, and it’s growing every year. That’s great news for farmers who work the unique sandy soils in... Read More