Category: Western Canada

The evolution of farm machinery has occurred incredibly fast, with the first engine-powered tractors showing up in the mid 1800s. Driven by steam engines, these tractors were loud and, compared to today's standards, far from comfortable. In the late 19th century, the first gasoline-powered tractor was built, no doubt impressing the farming community. Today, machinery... Read More

Bees, pollinators and honey-makers alike, are enjoying some much deserved attention right now. There was a time not too long ago when many consumers had no inkling of the importance of pollinators in our food supply. Unfortunately, much of the added attention stems from recent bee deaths, the mysterious colony collapse disorder (CCD) and controversy... Read More

Favourable weather continues to hover like a dark cloud over the grain markets as they continue to trek lower, just as meat prices are going the opposite direction. While most prices are relatively unchanged week-over-week, soybean prices did find a bit of a bounce on very strong U.S. export sales (as they say, the cure... Read More

We all have them or have seen them — the areas where crop productivity falls near null, and foxtail barley encroachment begins. Areas affected by high salinity are often referred to as alkali sloughs, and are considered for remediation. Years of no- or minimum-till farming across the prairies has certainly helped the situation, says Kelly... Read More

A soil test can give a good indication of nutrient inputs necessary for a healthy crop, (provided the sample is representative --- more on this later). But besides something to consider in the spring, a soil sample may also be a tool for in-season plant health diagnostics. In these circumstances, the role of a test... Read More

It's freight. It's margin. It's a tally of any number of other costs and variables but when it's all said and done, basis is really nothing more than an incentive to either sell your grain or a reason to sit on it a while longer. While farmers would love to pick apart and object to... Read More

There's certainly no need to begrudge ranchers and feeders making money on cattle right now. After all, cattle markets rise and fall in waves, and it's nice to be at the top now and again. Lower average cost of production coupled with strong demand and a tight supply have all aligned to create a profitable... Read More

I've seen my share of unintentional intercrop — lentils and mustard that just HAD to grow together, I guess (I call that one 'lustard') — but did you know there may be very profitable reasons to intentionally grow two crops on the same land in the same year? While intercropping is not rare on a... Read More

You've seen UAVs at work and added one to your Christmas list. You've mapped out management zones using data from a Veris machine or imagery from a satellite. You have GPS-referenced yield maps and a GreenSeeker in your back pocket. You are the farmer who loves a good gadget and wants imagery to make field... Read More

Water walks, not runs, off Seth Watkins' farm. That's the first of three principles Watkins uses to guide the agronomic decisions he makes on Pinhook Farms, based in Iowa. Watkins, who raises corn, soybeans and cattle across several counties in Iowa, spoke recently at the World Congress on Conservation Agriculture to share his experience with... Read More