RealAgriculture.com is pleased to announce journalist and journalism instructor Owen Roberts of the University of Guelph begins a new weekly column this week, entitled "Real Talk, Real Action." Each Thursday, Owen's column will feature a new call to action for the agriculture community, related to a current agriculture event or news story. This new feature... Read More
Category: Features
Results of a germination test are a must-have before heading to the field in the spring, but what about a vigour test? When should you order one and why? Holly Gelech, business development manager with Biovision Seed Labs, walks us through the major differences between the two tests, and how vigour tests may differ between... Read More
Extending the grazing season past the warm weather months isn't just a great way to save on fuel and time, it also can significantly reduce feeding costs. Bale and swath grazing or grazing stock-piled fields isn't as difficult as it first appears, though some planning is required. RealAgriculture.com asked Dr. Vern Baron, with AAFC, and... Read More
When plans exist only in our heads and aren't ever gone through with hard numbers, perceptions can start to over take reality. Crop marketing is no different. Before you get knee deep in the exciting world of futures and options, there's a preliminary marketing plan to draw up first. In this Ask FarmLink episode, Chris... Read More
From loud and colourful pants, to the excellent speakers' line up, to true Saskatchewan innovation and the oddly-placed moat at the Saskatoon Inn, by all accounts 2013's Crop Production Show and Crop Production Week was a roaring success. RealAgriculture's Shaun Haney and Lyndsey Smith took in the show and conference, but not content to simply... Read More
Managing your risk continues to be the message that drives the decision making strategies of feedyards and ranches in Canada and the United States. One piece of stability to the Canadian market is the announcement that JBS will be exercising its option on the XL Foods purchase. All this and more in the Beef Market... Read More
Cattle's nutritional needs change throughout the production cycle. Even a full-grown bull is going to need extra energy to get through a cold winter, but pregnant cows or growing animals have even more dynamic needs throughout the winter months. In fact, a cow's energy needs can increase significantly and protein requirements can nearly double during... Read More
The 2013 wheat midge forecast map is now live on the Alberta Agriculture website, Ropin the Web. This forecast is based on 298 soil samples taken in the fall after harvest. Indications are that wheat midge will be more of a concern for 2013 than it was for 2012. Midge numbers have increased and they... Read More
2012 is winding down, but optimism and fed cattle prices are up. Heading into to 2013, the Canadian beef cattle industry looks strong, although high feed prices are still weighing on the market. Our American friends are still struggling with a drought that isn't resolving quickly, which may offer some support to prices in the... Read More
Providing an optimal feed ration for each stage of cattle production takes planning, as forage and grain varies in quality and composition from year to year and from bin to bin. Feed testing is the integral first step to developing a balanced and complete ration. Optimal rations maximize feeding efficiency, which can help cattle producers... Read More