The first quarter of 2016 is in the books and it's becoming clear the last two years in the cattle market were likely outliers. "Unfortunately it's a reminder of what normal is. 2016 is nothing like 2014 and 2015 which were really bull markets that kept running through most of both years. That's not the... Read More
Category: Podcasts
In this week’s Word, Peter Johnson, resident agronomist for RealAgriculture, examines everything from erosion and weird wheat to cover crop management and insect pests. Have a question for Wheat Pete? Call 1-888-746-3311, send him a tweet (@wheatpete), or email him at peter.johnson@bell.net. Highlights: There are huge amounts of erosion in high tillage zones in Ontario.... Read More
John Deere has acquired majority ownership of well-known sprayer company, the Ag Women's Network has been re-launched, and China has chosen to postpone tighter rules for canola coming from Canada. The USDA also had a surprise for the corn market in its first acreage report for 2016 and A&W has gone patriotic with its ketchup.... Read More
"It has to taste fabulous first, and oh by the way, it's good for you." That's the standard we should aim for with food, says best-selling cookbook author and home economist Mairlyn Smith. Smith brought her hilarious cooking demonstration to FarmTech in Edmonton, following up on her latest cookbook that features products grown by Canadian... Read More
The Ag Women's Network (AWN) unveiled a new brand, and organizational structure in Guelph and Calgary last night. Originally formed in 2013, the Network now boasts over 1000 followers on their Facebook page. “We were initially focused on connecting young professionals,” said Jennifer Christie, the network’s Chairperson, in a release. “But over time, our membership... Read More
Are you paying enough attention to your soil? That’s the first question Iowa crop consultant Michael McNeill asks farmers when they want to talk about how to increase soybean yields. “Soil health is vital to optimizing profits in any crop we try to grow. Without good soil health we don’t have a chance,” says McNeill.... Read More
What makes a dairy farm sustainable? The definition of sustainability would suggest the future of Canadian dairy farms would rest heavily on environmental, economic and social factors. Farms need to respect the environment, make money and also reflect the aspirations of consumers and their growing awareness of animal welfare. In an era of increasing scrutiny... Read More
The Alberta Livestock and Meat Agency is generally known for its work funding research and market development in the beef and pork industries, but the organization also has a vested interest in dairy. Whether its forage production, animal welfare or meat prices, dairy has more in common with other livestock industries than most recognize, says... Read More
The Chinese government has agreed to postpone tighter dockage standards on Canadian canola. In February, China indicated a new standard allowing no more than 1 percent foreign material would be implemented on April 1. As Reuters first reported on Tuesday morning, China's import policy changes have now been postponed until September 1, 2016. The Chinese... Read More
The entire seed industry value chain in Canada — from breeders through to grain companies —is adjusting to new Plant Breeders' Rights legislation following the ratification of UPOV '91 standards last June. As Lorne Hadley, executive director of the Canadian Plant Technology Agency, explains in the conversation below, the CPTA is working with all stakeholders... Read More