Drought followed by flooding that has hit Manitoba in the last two years underscores the need for a federal program that promotes clean technology among producers, said Canada’s agriculture minister. “It’s a big challenge, but Manitoba farmers are taking action to rebuild their resilience to extreme weather and climate change,” said Marie-Claude Bibeau during a […] Read more
Hang on to your N20 and C02
On the Northern Great Plains, 80 percent of nutrient loss comes from 20 percent of the cropland. The federal government wants a 30 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from fertilizers. Those are just some of the numbers Quill Lake, Sask., farmer Dwight Odelein pondered as he contemplated investing in variable rate (VR) seeding equipment. […] Read more
Agco acquires Winnipeg autonomous ag technology company JCA
Company takes a retrofit-first approach when developing autonomous equipment for the agricultural sector
JCA is best known for the engineering services it offers OEM companies to help develop unique agricultural machine applications, including machine control systems, smartphone and tablet apps, data management and communications, as well as autonomous machine systems. Seth Crawford, general manager of the precision agriculture and digital division at Agco, he said the company is […] Read more
Producer input urged for carbon offsets
If carbon credit systems are to be effective for farmers, it is vital for government officials to reach out to producers to understand what they want and what they’re capable of doing, says a researcher. “Farmers know their land best, and I think a lot of researchers and individuals who are creating these programs don’t […] Read more
CaseIH aims high with its Teenage Top Tech education program
Retirement of experienced mechanics coupled with a lack of young new recruits has thrown a monkey wrench into the empty service bays at many North American farm implement dealers. Technicians in the agriculture implement industry are becoming like the proverbial hen’s teeth. There’s a need for trained young technicians that is not being filled. CaseIH […] Read more
Producers want climate recognition
Canada’s grain farmers want to be acknowledged for their contributions to climate solutions, rather than vilified for emissions, the standing committee on agriculture heard during recent testimony. Susie Miller, executive director of the Canadian Roundtable for Sustainable Crops, said more than 600 farmers with whom the organization consulted said they want recognition for action they […] Read more
Soil scientists talk variable rate approaches
Expert opinions about the application and effectiveness of variable rate systems across the Prairies are, well, variable
As prairie soil scientists delve more deeply into the muddy picture of VRF payback, they seem to be in general agreement that variable rate fertilizer works better in some situations than others. The conclusions drawn by the Alberta Agriculture VRF payback study told an interesting story. The Western Producer conducted interviews with four soil scientists […] Read more
Even flat fields can have variability
You can have a wet depression at the top of a hill and a low-elevation hill at the bottom of a slope, all in one field
Understanding the intricate chemical and physical properties of a specific spot of cropland lets you feed that spot the nutrients it requires to fully optimize productivity and maximize your profit. As we know, agronomists use the word “optimize” rather than “maximize” when talking about yield. Extricating every last bushel from a specific zone can be […] Read more
Just say ‘no’ to variable rate fertilizer
Consultant says only about a quarter of prairie fields are hilly enough to benefit from the practice
(Editor’s note: This story has been edited from the original version, 12:49 MT April 12, 2022.) The variable rate, or VR, component of precision agriculture can help deal with record-high fertilizer prices while maintaining or increasing yield. Therefore, farmers should be clamoring for VR equipment and knowledge. Right? Wrong. Ken Greer, founder of Western Ag […] Read more
A new chapter in the book of precision ag?
FarmDroid remembers the exact location of every seed it plants to precisely guide its weeding knives later
I started a small custom spraying business in co-operation with Manitoba Pool Elevators in 1997. The standard marking system was the foam marker. I’m not a good operator and have a hard time driving straight up and down the field. In the end we leased an Ag Navigator GPS with no autosteer. But with the […] Read more
