In theory, the application of a plant growth regulator to wheat should result in shorter, stronger plants that are less prone to lodging, enabling higher yield potential. In reality, it's not that simple. "I wish it was a nice black and white, straightforward story, but it certainly isn't," says Sheri Strydhorst, who's done extensive work... Read More
Category: Western Canada
Cutworm outbreaks are incredibly unpredictable, pest management biologist Jennifer Otani told delegates of Agronomy Update in Red Deer last month. The insect can overwinter as eggs, larvae, or pupae, and scientists don't yet have a good understanding of the survivability of the various stages, let alone the almost twenty species we're dealing with across the... Read More
Myth Explosion: Calm, early mornings are perfect for spraying. In this Spray Tips Special Edition episode, Sprayers101.com dynamic duo Tom Wolf and Jason Deveau get up early to explode another spray myth. It all starts when Wolf nudges a snoozing Deveau who is catching a nap beside the sprayer. Deveau explains he’s feeling tired after... Read More
Cattle prices may not be where they were a year ago, but ranchers are generally still an optimistic bunch at current levels. Anne Wasko of Gateway Livestock joins us in the middle of her busy winter meeting circuit for this latest edition of the Beef Market Update. Domestically, the volatile Canadian dollar continues to play... Read More
The Western Grains Research Foundation has announced it will be investing $21.4 million in Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada's wheat and barley breeding programs over the next five years — the largest-ever industry investment in AAFC research. Federal Agriculture Minister Lawrence MacAulay and Keith Degenhardt, vice-chair of WGRF, made the announcement in Saskatoon on Monday morning.... Read More
A good story can be told about potato production in Canada. It rose more than 4.5 per cent in 2015 over the previous year. Half of the new production came from Manitoba, with about another third coming from Quebec. That production increase didn’t hurt McCain Foods Canada’s decision in January to expand its Carberry, Manitoba... Read More
Maybe it's due to news traveling faster on social media than it used to, but there have been a fair number of reports of canola heating in the bin this winter. Producers who find themselves in these unfortunate situations are often left scratching their heads wondering why it happened. Was it harvested too early? Was... Read More
Grains this week were mostly lower as realities about supply continue to trump ideas of fresh demand. The U.S. dollar lost 2.7% for the week, which helped other commodity currencies appreciate. Weather kept to the sidelines for the most part, indicating fluctuations in currency are certain to be the theme into spring. Oil World is... Read More
Employees need clear expectations and timely feedback. It might sound simple, but those are the two keys to creating a farm culture where the business gets the most out of its talent and where employees feel like they're doing a good job, says Barb Dartt, a Michigan-based farm business consultant. "We tend to underestimate the... Read More
Egg Farmers of Canada has rolled out a plan to transition the entire Canadian egg industry away from traditional caged housing. "In response to the best available scientific research and in light of changing consumer preferences, I'm pleased that the entire industry has agreed to an orderly transition plan that will further diversify our production... Read More