Ontario crop yields have exploded over the last 35 years. Corn yields have increased by 80% during this time and soybeans are not that far behind at 65%. Those big yield gains create a much greater draw on soil nutrients. In the case of corn, for example, the average corn crop now removes 63 lbs... Read More
Category: Western Canada
Manitoba farmers will see their crop insurance coverage increase by an average of seven percent while average premiums per acre will decrease by four percent in 2016. Manitoba Ag Minister Ron Kostyshyn made his annual crop insurance program announcements at Manitoba Ag Days on Tuesday, the last day before the pre-election blackout on Manitoba government... Read More
Brew pubs and craft breweries need points of uniqueness. Sure, they offer local beer, however they define it. But what’s different about their lager, ale, stout or whatever, than that of their competitors? Well, in the Year of the Pulses, a couple of Canadian brewers, one from the east and one from the west, are... Read More
Technology that enhances how we view and experience information is always changing. Whether it's John Deere's combine simulator or Magic Leap's proposed "cinematic reality" device, companies are trying to create interactive life-like experiences for users or potential customers. You might think it's the kind of stuff you have to go to a tech show in... Read More
Agriculture is poised to play a much larger role in the Canadian economy thanks to impacts of climate change and declining revenues from oil extraction, says well-known author and economist Jeff Rubin. "Climate change has fatal implications for our previous ambitions of becoming an energy superpower, but it's going to make other assets and resources... Read More
Versatile sparked plenty of buzz on social media with news the tractor company is going back to its old colours for a run of 50th anniversary models in 2016. The online hoopla moved into the real world at the Western Canadian Crop Production Show in Saskatoon last week as the first retro-looking model to roll... Read More
When I started the #farm365 project on January 1, 2015, I couldn’t have imagined that simply taking a picture a day from around the farm would generate so much interest from the media, from consumers and from my fellow farmers. Looking back over last year, I thought I’d share my 5 biggest surprises: Surprise 1... Read More
Commodity prices continue to trade flat to lower as Chinese stock market losses continue to weigh heavy on broader markets, including commodities, forcing broader optimism for global economic growth to fade. All grain values are lower in the first few weeks of 2016 but with some notables being the front month contracts for oats below... Read More
The Canadian Grain Commission is moving ahead with its proposal to realign the wheat classification system for Western Canada. Two new classes will be created while three others will be eliminated on August 1st, 2016. The Canada Northern Hard Red class will be established to address concerns about lower gluten strength in some milling wheat... Read More
I was fortunate enough to attend the Wednesday night VIP Premiere of the new documentary License to Farm. The film focuses on the agriculture industry's need to maintain social license. The attendees were very excited about the film. I was able to talk to many of the attendees and get their immediate reaction to the... Read More