Wireworms have been on the rise in many areas of the prairies, due in part to the banning effective insecticides, such as Lindane, years ago. Unlike several other pests, wireworms have a very long lifecycle —spending three to five years as seed-eating worms. There are about 30 species of the pest that are of economic... Read More
Category: Western Canada
How high can wheat yields go? Is 150 bushels an acre achievable, and, if so, how do we get there? That's the question we asked several farmers at this year's FarmTech conference. The answers are evenly split between yes, no and yes, but only if fill-in-the-blank happens. It would seem it's that fill-in-the-blank part that... Read More
If you cannot see the above embedded audio player, CLICK HERE According to Chuck Penner, LeftField Commodity Research, everyone was waiting for the USDA planting intention report with baited breathe but what shocked (or maybe not) the market was the stocks report. Farmers holding onto old crop crop corn and wheat without unhedged are feeling... Read More
A near-record number of intended corn acres estimated today by the USDA's planting intentions report has pressured corn markets limit-down for the day. Hear what Chuck Penner Thinks About the USDA Stocks Report Today The report pegs estimated acres at 97.3 million acres, a total eclipsed only by a mid-1930s planting. The USDA National Agricultural... Read More
Understanding and managing antimicrobial resistance is important for livestock production and to ensure the continued effectiveness of veterinary products. It's also a complex issue under intense public scrutiny two factors that, under the wrong conditions, don't go well together. The Ontario Medical Association recently began pushing for governments to step up its involvement in the... Read More
The more comfortable a cow's bed, the more likely she'll spend her day laying about making milk instead of standing or walking. A well supported, comfortable, resting cow is less likely to end up lame as well, and the link between lameness and reduced production and decreased fertility is real. Nearly all bedding options —... Read More
A historic moment transpired last night. The Calgary Flames traded its leading scorer, captain and legendary player, Jarome Iginla, to the Pittsburgh Penguins for two marginal prospects and a late first-round draft pick in the 2013 entry. Long-time Calgary Flames fans are disappointed with the return for their greatest hero. Much of the sports media... Read More
The discussion around proposed changes to the check-off funded associations in Western Canada is growing significantly. No, not everyone is on-side with the idea — many grower group members feel they best serve the commodity's interest individually, and are opposed to joining ranks across provinces and especially not nationally. Danny Penner is one of those,... Read More
Canola seed is darn expensive. So is equipment. Buying new equipment to save on seed only makes sense if you make the most of the iron purchase. If you're one of the many farmers curious about integrating a shiny new or not-so-new planter into the equipment mix with your sights set on saving on canola... Read More
Sliding pulses into rotation is a great way to bump up your crop rotation benefits, adds marketing and cash flow options and also adds nitrogen credits for subsequent crops. All that being said, the delivery of that added N is only possible if pulse seed is properly inoculated ahead of going in the ground or... Read More