Soybean cyst nematode (SCN) is the leading cause of yield loss for the oilseed crop across North America. And unless a new source of resistance is found to fend off the pest, growers can expect to see SCN gobble up an increasing percentage of their yield in the years ahead. That was the message delivered... Read More
Category: Western Canada
Dairy Farmers of Canada has found its new chief executive officer, and he comes with an understanding of the processing side of the dairy business in Canada. Jacques Lefebvre's first official day in DFC's Ottawa office is January 8th, as he replaces Caroline Emond, who departed in July 2017. He comes to DFC from his... Read More
The Flax Council of Canada has announced that it's closing its doors at the end of the month, citing the need to reduce costs. After 32 years representing the flax industry nationally, the organization's executive committee says it decided to close the Flax Council's office when it became apparent that a new combined oilseed council... Read More
In an era where "offensive" seems to have an ever-widening set of definitions, a group of police officers found themselves under the defensive wing of journalist and television personality Piers Morgan. How it all started Members of the North Wales Rural Crime Team wanted to support local farmers after the country's National Farmers Union hosted... Read More
In 1840, J. Von Liebig, a German chemist described as the father of the fertilizer industry, stated that "the rate of growth of a plant, the size to which it grows, and its overall health depend on the amount of the scarcest of the essential nutrients that are available to it.” Since its inception in... Read More
According to the dictionary, a sin tax is "a tax on items considered undesirable or harmful, such as alcohol or tobacco." There is mounting pressure from activist groups to add animal proteins to that list of so-called "sinful" items. They argue meat creates added healthcare costs and negative impacts on the environment. It might sound... Read More
Cattle markets are kicking off 2018 like it's 2017, with strong prices and a strong basis in Western Canada, in spite of a higher Canadian dollar. Factoring the jump in the Alberta fat cattle market last week to around C$167, the loonie rising over 80 cents, and a U.S. price of around $123, the spot... Read More
Ontario will set a new corn yield record in 2017 with the crop expected to hit an average of 180 bu/ac or better. Where is all that yield coming from? Corn physiologist Dr. Thijs Tollenaar has poured over the data and identified three key factors driving corn yield improvement. A long-time University of Guelph professor... Read More
If you've happened to go outside in much of Canada the last couple of weeks, you'll be well aware of the bone-chilling cold that gripped parts of the country over the holidays. For some, the cold halted plans, while others merely took more time to don more layers, or scheduled an urgent meeting with their... Read More
We all lead busy lives that seems to have us looking ahead instead of behind most of the time. Pausing to stop and reflect can be insightful, rewarding and some real fun. Fellow agriculture podcaster Wendell Schumm recently invited me to be a guest on his Ontario AgCast podcast to discuss a full slate of... Read More