Many Canadian cattle people have been urging CCA and the Canadian cattle industry to try and focus more on developing other markets than just the United States. With issues like mandatory COOL in place in the Unites States, other trade partners are needed so that the Canadian beef industry is not just a one trick... Read More
Category: Western Canada
Its time again for another edition of RealAgriculture.com's Thumbs Up Thumbs Down. This week Shaun and Lyndsey discuss the sabotage of Monsanto, the pesticide ban in Manitoba, should the Calgary Stampede have gone on, why don't farmers ask questions at conferences, why don't some people wash their hands after they pee, complaining about not being... Read More
Interest in corn and soybeans in Western Canada is reaching a fever pitch, and thanks to some newer short season varieties for both crops farmers are seeing good results. Add in that farmers are looking for ways to stretch expensive canola seed and — ta da! — you've got all kinds of new interest in... Read More
It's the little things in life that make doing a job enjoyable — technology that works, having the right tool for the job and using equipment that is quick and easy to use. With that in mind, Haukaas Manufacturing from Mortlach, Sask., has developed several handy pieces of equipment to help on the farm, two... Read More
Ascochyta blight is a disease caused by three species of fungi, which are very difficult, if not impossible, to differentiate in the field. Fortunately, diagnosis of a specific pathogen causing ascochyta symptoms is not usually necessary, as control measures are very often the same. Out scouting? Look for purple-brown lesions on the stem, tendrils and... Read More
In what is being described as a “momentous occasion” by its chairperson, the Board of Directors of Cigi (Canadian International Grains Institute) has approved a new governance model for the institute, according to a press release. The change, approved at its annual general meeting on June 18, will see board membership expand to include representation... Read More
Manitoba has the not-so-great distinction of being the fusarium hot spot of the Canadian Prairies. This year, ample moisture and recent heat have combined to create a high-humidity soup pot of fusarium head blight growth and spread. Farmers in other provinces need to be on the look out as well, as the disease spreads west.... Read More
Pollinators, including honeybees, are essential to food production all over the world. It's why farmers are always encouraged to chose insecticides that are as pest-specific as possible and to avoid applying them when pollinators are flying. Pollinators are not just good for bumping yields, they are necessary for some crops to even set seed. Recent... Read More
Guessing per cent bloom of a canola field from the field margin is a fantastic game to play for fun, but when it comes to sclerotinia control, if you're off even by 10% it could mean you miss the critical period for protecting petals. With warm to hot temps rolling across the Prairies, crops are... Read More
With the recent flooding that’s plagued Alberta, cattle producers understandably have other things on their mind besides new technology. But at some point, when the situation settles down, they’ll find themselves in a delicate position – that is, heading for the front lines of science, promoting irradiation for beef. Irradiation would help kill nasty E-coli... Read More