The need to fund research is generally accepted by farmers, but spending by various commissions is under scrutiny
It’s annual general meeting season, and as usual, these meetings give growers a chance to scrutinize the priorities and spending habits of organizations that collect tens of millions of dollars annually through producer levies. Saskatchewan farmers now pay levies on almost every crop they grow. The amount farmers pay in producer levies has increased steadily […] Read more
Combine calibration made easy
Two companies offer remote controlled drop pans that allow growers to safely collect samples of material blown out the back of combines. Both products are powered by electromagnets that disengage at the push of a button. The pans then fall from their mounted position under the combine and collect a representative sample of how much […] Read more
Weed pioneer pushed new ideas on resistance
Neil Harker retires from Agriculture Canada after 33 year career, which included a shift in focus to non-herbicide alternatives
When Neil Harker began his career in weed science, most of the conversations revolved around one topic: herbicides. Back then, in the 1980s, weed scientists studied what to spray and how to spray it but little else. “I kind of fell in line with everybody (in weed science) and just started looking at herbicide options,” […] Read moreEditor departs but will continue column
Before we get into the markets, I’ll note that this will be my last column as a member of the Western Producer staff. After about 34 wonderful years in journalism, 21 1/2 of them at this fine newspaper, I am taking early retirement. I am blessed with many interests and look forward to spending more […] Read more
Managing fields could soon move to plant level
CHICAGO, Ill. — One of the pioneers of the big data movement is ready to take the next step. “We want to go from field-level data to plant-level data,” said Keith Soltwedel, marketing manager with John Deere Intelligent Solutions Group. “I know we might all laugh today, but I think that’s coming, where we’re going […] Read more
Barley suffers ‘dramatic decline’
BANFF, Alta. — Better yielding and higher paying crops like canola, wheat, oats and durum have displaced barley. “Farmers are businessmen and they are going to grow crops that have the greatest rate of return. The return on barley is lower than other crops,” David Simbo, research manager for Alberta Barley, said during the commission’s […] Read more
Food companies embrace GM-free labelling
CHICAGO, Ill. — While the U.S. Department of Agriculture is busy devising federal regulations for labelling genetically modified food, some companies are getting out ahead of the game. General Mills has been labelling its products for more than a year and now has a label on every product it sells in the United States. “It […] Read more
Oats may join $8 billion plant protein market
Consumers looking for a substitute to meat and dairy have turned to soybeans and peas, but oats have unique benefits
BANFF, Alta. — Oats could be part of the plant based protein trend. University of Alberta researcher Lingyun Chen has been working on extracting protein from grains, and has found oats could join soybeans and peas as a substitute for meat, eggs and dairy products. Western countries such as Canada will be consuming more plant […] Read moreCanadian agriculture trails U.S. in embracing sustainability
Sustainable practices such as reduced tillage and banding fertilizer with the seed are commonplace in Western Canada and have been around for decades. However, the Canadian grain and oilseed trade could potentially lose sales opportunities to American competitors because the United States is moving faster on sustainable ag programs, says an Agrium official. “There is […] Read more
WP livestock report
U.S. hogs dip lower Retailers had most of their holiday needs met. Pork buying will slow until retailers measure how sales have gone. The U.S. national live price average for barrows and gilts was US$46.60 per hundredweight Dec. 15, down slightly from $46.94 Dec. 8. U.S. hogs averaged $56.47 on a carcass basis Dec. 15, […] Read more
