Agriculture ministers from across Canada issued what they're calling the "Calgary Statement" following their annual federal/provincial/territorial meeting, held in Alberta this week. The document outlines the priorities for the next agricultural policy framework, which will replace Growing Forward 2 in April 2018. "We got the framework in place, just how much dollars and how it... Read More
Category: Western Canada
How often do you check to make sure tire air pressure is appropriate for the tire type and conditions? Higher inflation can increase compaction and reduce soil productivity, as was demonstrated at the Ag in Motion show at Langham, Sask. this week. As Michelin's Mike Pantaleo explains in this video, they dug two soil pits,... Read More
The European Union has issued its long-awaited approval for three biotech traits in soybeans. Monsanto's Xtend and Vistive Gold traits, as well as Bayer's Balance GT soybeans, have been approved for import and food/feed use. Monsanto planned to introduce its dicamba and glyphosate-tolerant Xtend soybeans in Canada for the 2016 growing season, but seed was... Read More
Much of Canadian agriculture is seeing a heat wave this week, and along with it, some powerful storms. With winter wheat harvest around the corner in the west, wheat harvest is humming along in Ontario, with yields coming in over 130 bu/ac. Versatile's most famous tractor made its public debut at Ag in Motion, ag... Read More
The Canadian Agricultural Hall of Fame has named its inductees for 2016. Horticulture crop protection pioneer James Bartlett, Angus beef promoter Robert Switzer and livestock show leader John Willmott will be formally inducted at a ceremony on November 6 at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair in Toronto. “This year’s three inductees all channeled their passion,... Read More
When soybean aphids start multiplying in soybean fields, the decision to spray is typically triggered by the number of aphids found on each plant. The threshold for growers in Western Canada is usually reached when there are an average of 250 aphids per plant on 80 percent of the plants. The population should still be... Read More
Federal Agriculture Minister Lawrence MacAulay was in Calgary on Wednesday to announce up to $6.4 million over three years to promote Canadian beef. The funding will support Canada Beef's three-year market development and promotion plan, which targets regional hubs in Asia, Europe, North America and Latin America. “Canadian farmers and ranchers take pride in producing... Read More
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
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