I'm no psychologist, psychiatrist or sociologist, but I understand from discussions with experts that as social creatures, humans are prone to experiencing "group mentality." Quite simply: we are easily influenced by the thoughts and actions of our associates. We also tend to associate with like-minded individuals, who reinforce our biases. It is my concern that... Read More
Category: Western Canada
Farmers are understandably frustrated by slow grain movements out of the Prairies this year, as a giant crop has western ports at a stand-still. The finger is often pointed at oil tankers hogging all the railway tonne-miles as a major part of slow grain movement off the Prairies, but as with any logistical problem, the... Read More
Change is constant. The year of 2013 has brought significant changes to the market conditions for feedyard operators and ranchers across Canada. Not only have prices for fats and feeders risen, but the Canadian Dollar and feed prices have dropped lower. When you add all this up it means that margins for producers are in... Read More
Let's face it, change is difficult. And change for the sake of avoiding a problem in the long-term can seem exceedingly cumbersome. If that sentence makes you think about managing for herbicide resistance, you're not alone. But no longer is this a "what if" for Canada — several types of weeds and several types of... Read More
Does bare, black earth harvest the sun? Nope. Unless there is a plant to intercept the sunlight, that beam of energy doesn't really do a thing for the soil and that needs to change, says Peter Johnson, cereal specialist with the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food. Johnson, and many others at OMAF, are on... Read More
Farming can be an overwhelming business, with scientific and economic complexities in every decision. Just deciding on seeding plans or organizing a work crew for silage season can be incredibly stressful. And just when you thought the decisions couldn't be anymore prevalent, you get a call from a land company requesting access to survey for... Read More
Inspired by the Masters of Beef Advocacy program offered in the United States, Canada's Beef Advocacy Program will be available to the public in the new year, and will be comprised of two levels. The first level will be for anyone with interest in the beef industry, providing information "right from genetics and breeding all... Read More
Weed control ahead of the crop is so vital to getting the crop off to the best start possible, it's true, but later emerging or flushes of weeds can strangle a crop in a hurry. As discussed in the first episode of Tech Tour, the sprayer can be a great first place to begin adding... Read More
The ballots are in and counted, and the first seven-member board of the Saskatchewan Wheat Development Commission (SWDC) has been named. The board members, with their hometowns, are: Rod Flaman, Edenwold - 4 year term Ken Rosaasen, Saskatoon - 4 year term Bill Gehl, Regina - 4 year term Glenn Tait, Meota - 4 year... Read More
This week started out very different from most weeks, as word came that the Minister of Agriculture would be making a "very large announcement" in the afternoon. I shuffled my schedule and packed my gear and braved the cold to be in the audience when ag minister Gerry Ritz announced Bill C-18, the Canadian Agricultural... Read More