This year's weather has had many farmers second guessing each and every spray pass, from pre-seed burndown, to in-crop control, and now fungicide treatments. Tom Wolf, with Sprayers 101 and AgriMetrix, says that the spray input decisions has been especially difficult with the funny rainfall patterns experienced by much of Saskatchewan and other parts of... Read More

Every year is different when it comes to insect populations and pest management. Weather, varietal selection, and natural enemy numbers all impact pest development. This year, dry conditions in parts of the Prairies have a particular insect thriving. "The big, big one right now is grasshoppers," says Scott Meers, Government of Alberta insect management specialist,... Read More

American-based Raven Industries has long been known for its contributions to precision agriculture, from cloud-based data management to guidance and steering applications. The company has also worked on spray application, recently unveiling its Autoboom XRT boom height control with simultaneous ground and canopy detection. "We've been in the boom height control business for 14 to... Read More

A few years ago, Bourgault Tillage Tools, known for their diverse range of "ground engaging tools," introduced an implement that works above the soil. "In 2018, we introduced a 50-foot weed clipper machine, and this is a machine that enables any farmer – conventional or organic – to drive into seeded crops at any crop... Read More

Myscosphaerella blight — more commonly known as ascochyta — can cause significant devastation in pea, lentil, chickpeas and even faba bean crops. Robyne Bowness Davidson, research scientist with Alberta Agriculture and Forestry, says in this Pulse School episode that farmers should be out scouting for ascochyta just before the crop starts flowering. "You can certainly... Read More

Lameness is the dairy industry's leading and most visible animal welfare concern. It's also among the top three health challenges, along with mastitis and reproductive problems. Veterinarian Dr. Laura Solano, dairy cattle extension specialist at Calgary, Alberta-based Farm Animal Care Associates, says that despite the negative impacts to lameness, studies show that 15 to 30... Read More