Seed treatments should protect canola if it reaches the three- to four-leaf stage within three to four weeks of seeding
What’s tiny, loves heat, eats away at farm profits and is enough to keep you awake at night? Flea beetles, of course. In the spring of 2021, the pests caused headaches and sleepless nights for canola growers across Western Canada. But according to John Gavloski, provincial entomologist with Manitoba Agriculture, there’s a reliable way to […] Read more
Brian Cross
Stories by Brian Cross
RDAR focuses on measuring research success
Alberta government formed Research Driven Agriculture Research to manage agricultural research in the province
Measuring success — and charting a course for success in the future — is never an easy task, even for the smallest business or organization. But when you’re a new organization in charge of administering nearly 400 million tax dollars over the next decade, measuring success takes on a whole new level of importance and […] Read more
RDAR accepts new research proposals
Alberta’s Results Driven Agriculture Research program is accepting research funding applications for projects that will allow Alberta’s agriculture sector to respond more effectively to drought conditions and extreme heat. There is no application deadline, but all projects that receive funding are to be completed by December 31, 2022. Last summer, Alberta’s producers experienced significant challenges […] Read more
Seed quality looks good despite drought
Germination and vigour scores have not been negatively affected in cereal crops, but mechanical damage is high in pulses
If early indications hold true, there’s good news and bad news about the quality of Western Canada’s seed inventory heading into the 2022 planting season. First the good news. Despite widespread drought and extreme heat last summer, the quality of seed for cereal crops appears to be quite good, according to seed analysts. As of […] Read more
Farm family assumes control of value chain
On the Farm: Sask. beef operation runs a website where shoppers can browse, place online orders and ask questions
“From our family farm to your fork.” That’s the phrase that the Eastmond family from Mortlach, Sask., uses to promote their latest enterprise, Kattle Kountry Beef — an integrated beef production, processing and marketing operation. The Eastmonds are no strangers to beef production. The family has been raising cattle on their Saskatchewan ranch since the […] Read more
Road map outlined for protein development
Protein Industries Canada wants the country to increase its sales of plant-based products to $25 billion a year by 2035
Protein Industries Canada has unveiled a new strategic plan aimed at increasing Canada’s global market share in the rapidly growing plant-based food and ingredient sector. PIC recently launched a sector road map that outlines key actions to help the industry reach its key growth objectives. Those objectives include increasing Canadian sales of plant-based foods, feeds […] Read more
Feds asked to rethink fertilizer emission target
Industry proposes ‘emissions intensity’ targets to measure fertilizer use improvements rather than a 30 percent across-the-board reduction
A Canadian organization that represents fertilizer manufacturers, wholesale distributors and retailers says Ottawa needs to rethink its greenhouse gas reduction emission target stemming from fertilizer use. Fertilizer Canada said Ottawa’s unilateral decision to establish a voluntary 30 percent emissions reduction target by 2030 will have far-reaching and unintended consequences for the economy. The organization’s top […] Read more
Drought increases need for fall soil testing
Samples should be taken as close to freeze-up as possible to ensure nutrient analysis values do not change appreciably
Farmers need to know what nutrients are left in the soil once harvest is finished and the crop is in the bin. That’s especially true this year, given stratospheric fertilizer prices and the likelihood of higher-than-normal residual soil nutrient levels following a year of low yields and drought-affected crop development. “Certainly heat and drought played […] Read more
G3 announces plans to build new elevators
Grain handling company G3 has announced plans to build two more elevators in Western Canada. In a Sept. 27 news release, the company confirmed it will build new, high throughput facilities at Rycroft, Alta., and Melfort, Sask. Melfort is about 200 kilometres northeast of Saskatoon. Rycroft is located about 500 km northwest of Edmonton. The […] Read more
Ag investment company buys pulse processor
Belle Pulse founders Tony and Francis Gaudet of Saskatchewan will continue to manage the business for Eat Well Group
A well-known Saskatchewan pulse processing company has a new owner. Belle Pulses, a family-owned pulse processing company based at Bellevue, Sask., has been sold to Eat Well Group Inc., a publicly traded investment company specializing in the acquisition of businesses involved in the agri-food, food technology and plant-based food sectors. Eat Well acquired Belle Pulses […] Read more
