Soil management prior to planting can be a lot like walking a tightrope. You really can't go too far one way or the other or you'll pay the price. While early season is all about making sure the soil is dry enough to get on, as soon as the time comes to plant, you need... Read More
Category: Eastern Canada
The agriculture industry has historically taken the tact of "Science is on our side" in many debates over food production. But, as Charlie Arnot, with the Centre for Food Integrity, explains, perception trumps science when it comes to how consumers shape their opinions about food and their food choices. "Science tells us if we can... Read More
The new Barley Council of Canada gets it: research and innovation, that’s what makes a difference to farmers. The Calgary-based council, formally incorporated last month, lists research and innovation at the front of its top five priorities. Others include best crop production practices, market development, market access and (I especially like this one) communication within... Read More
The University of Guelph recently announced the appointment of Ken McEwan as director of the University of Guelph – Ridgetown Campus. McEwan’s five-year term began May 1. McEwan has been acting interim director since Jan. 1, 2012. Earlier, he was research co-ordinator at Ridgetown. As Ridgetown’s tenth director, he will oversee 120 faculty and staff... Read More
The advent of glyphosate resistant weeds has and will continue to complicate pre-plant weed removal. Farmers need to match herbicide resistance management and control options with targeted weed species to ensure not only an effective kill, but also to avoid limiting control options later. Glyphosate-resistant giant ragweed has been confirmed in Ontario, and farmers set... Read More
As you drive down the highway and see all the planters and seeders getting pulled through the fields you see many different brands of tractors. In some cases its the same tractor a certain farm has had for 20 years while other farms are constantly trading for new models. The decision making of which tractor... Read More
Corn and feedgrain stocks were the only crop types that held or increased volume as of December, 2012. That's according to Statistics Canada's ending stocks report released today. Canola stocks were down over 20% over 2011 ending stocks, barley stocks continued to push downwards, even in the face of higher production in 2012, and oats... Read More
A cow who is uncomfortable or, worse, in pain, won't just produce less milk, she's also less likely to get back in calf. It may seem simplistic, but solid research shows a definite and measurable link between foot and leg health and reproductive health. Dr. Renaldo Cerri, with the University of British Columbia, spoke recently... Read More
Just because an animal does not overtly display discomfort, doesn't mean they don't feel any. This is true of prey animals — like cattle — where displaying pain may make them an easy target for predators. Because of this, it can be difficult to gauge how painful some procedures may be on animals. That said,... Read More
Canada Fleabane can be the menace of menaces in your soybean crop IF you don't hammer it down early. The truth is that the weed is so hearty — between its resistant characteristics and its ability to firmly root itself down — if you don't deal with it while it's young, you've got a problem... Read More