Wind and rain have taken a toll on some of the best-looking cereal crop acres in Western Canada and the northern U.S. over the last few weeks. Large sections of wheat, barley and oat fields have been knocked flat (some several times) in parts of southern Manitoba and North Dakota. Yield losses from lodging can... Read More
Category: Video
Boron's complete role in plant health is not entirely understood, but the nutrient does play a key role in cell elongation, hormone response and membrane function. Boron is a micronutrient necessary for optimal yield and growth, but needed in only very small quantities. In Western Canada, trials surrounding boron have shown inconsistencies in yield response,... Read More
Weed scientists in Western Canada and the U.S. Northern Plains are keeping an eye out for signs of glyphosate resistance in one of the most widespread weeds in the region. Wild oats, which is commonly resistant to other herbicide modes-of-action, could be the next weed to adapt to glyphosate, according to a risk assessment model... Read More
New wheat varieties being grown in parts of Western Canada have made it possible to produce yields that are off the charts, quite literally. Much of the research supporting nitrogen rate recommendations for wheat on the prairies has been based on a top-end yield target of 65 bushels per acre. "That was quite adequate when... Read More
There’s been plenty of buzz about the potential uses for unmanned aerial vehicles on farms over the last few years, but many producers are still waiting to see if there’s a business case for purchasing one. They want to see if UAVs can add enough value to justify spending not only the money, but also... Read More
Peas, and pulses in general, are getting a lot of attention even as we gear up for the United Nations' International Year of the Pulses. Global food trends seem to be favouring the commodity, with expectations that demand will continue to rise. For western Canadian pulse growers, this might mean developing an understanding of their... Read More
An Austrian-made combine header with an adjustable cutterbar for reducing shatter losses at harvest was recognized in the Innovation Showcase at Canada’s Farm Progress Show last month. The Biso Ultralight 800, with its lightweight aluminum design and movable floor, received a Sterling Award at the show in Regina. The 800mm (~32 inch) variable cutterbar is... Read More
Whether it's growing demand for protein or pressure to reduce carbon footprints in the food chain, pulses appear well-positioned to benefit from global food trends. As the largest pea and lentil exporter in the world, Western Canada stands to become the "protein basket of the world," says Murad Al Katib, president and CEO of Regina-based... Read More
Front-mount self-propelled sprayers have become more common over the last decade, but the majority of sprayer manufacturers still exclusively build rear boom sprayers. For years, Miller-St. Nazianz and Hagie Mfg were the two main brands with front-mount booms. In 2010, New Holland entered the sprayer market with both front and rear boom sprayers after signing... Read More
There’s potential for much more composting in North American farming, say researchers at the University of Manitoba. “Turning waste into gold” was the theme for the annual field day at the U of M’s Glenlea Research Farm last week. Mario Tenuta, soil ecologist at the University of Manitoba, describes the value of farm-scale composting of... Read More