If there was a "celebrity" category for machinery, Versatile's one-of-a-kind four-axle, articulated tractor might top the list. Nearly everyone who passed by it at Ag in Motion this week stopped to take or pose for a photo with "Big Roy." As part of the company's 50th anniversary celebration, Versatile unveiled the fully-restored 600 horsepower machine... Read More
Category: Podcasts
Soil microbes require carbon to grow. And they're not picky where that carbon comes from. To demonstrate microbial activity as it relates to soil health, Manitoba Agriculture soil management specialist Marla Riekman and some colleagues buried what she calls "an indicator material" in various locations this spring. Their material of choice: cotton, specifically the soft,... Read More
"Herbicide layering" looks to be an effective approach to managing hard-to-control cleavers in pulses. As Eric Johnson, weed scientist at the University of Saskatchewan, explains in this Pulse School episode, herbicide layering is the application of different modes of action sequentially. It usually involves a pre-seed soil-applied herbicide, such as sulfentrazone, ethalflurolin or pyroxasulfone, ,... Read More
Mobile phones have become an essential piece of equipment on most North American farms. A study just completed by Ipsos underlines what we've seen here at Real Agriculture — how farmers have fallen in love with and come to rely on their smartphones, even more than the general public. The research firm found over 80... Read More
With fat cattle prices in Alberta $40 lower than they were a year ago, the view from where the cattle feeders will be sitting come this fall's sale season will look different than it did in 2015. "Estimated losses in July for cattle finishing in Alberta on a spot-to-spot basis are about $350 to the... Read More
Pea aphids populations have been reaching problematic levels in some parts of the Prairies over the last few weeks. In this Pulse School episode, Dennis Lange, provincial pulse specialist in Manitoba, says they're still a concern in some areas. "We're at the stage where some of the later seeded pea fields are in the late... Read More
When Monkton, Ontario-based dairy producers Rick and Theresa Portena planned their recent expansion they decided that a 40-stall herringbone rotary milking parlour would anchor their operation. The Portenas considered milking robots but they’re big fans of parlours. They like to get the milking done as fast and efficiently as possible and they don’t like to... Read More
Excess water after heavy rains in parts of Western Canada is not only impairing plant growth through oxygen deficiency, but it's also causing significant nitrogen losses. As John Heard, soil fertility specialist with Manitoba Agriculture, explains in this video, N losses depend on soil type, with rain causing leaching in sandier soils and more denitrification... Read More
Rain, rain and more rain. Crops are flooded in parts of the Prairies. Ontario farm country has also received some glorious rain, as early wheat harvest yields look amazing. There've been a development in the Bayer-Monsanto situation, a new grain company with roots in Australia and Japan is building its first elevator in Western Canada,... Read More
Rain...finally! And some unbelievable wheat yields being reported — Wheat Pete is fired up (even more than normal!) for this week's update. After discussing rainfall amounts and early wheat results, Peter gets into the tight timeline for double-cropping soybeans, the impact this rain could have on corn, and much more. Listen or download below! Have... Read More