Risk management tools may be agriculture’s best bet when it comes to protecting itself against trade turmoil
Stakeholders in the broad Canadian agri-food industry are grappling with the uncertain future of bilateral trade with the United States, based on a 25 per cent tariff on Canadian goods and services that U.S. president Donald Trump promised would come early in his second tenure in office. The tariffs weren’t announced on inauguration day, but […] Read more
Jeff Melchior
Stories by Jeff Melchior
Vigilance urged as clubroot soars
With patchy wet conditions throughout the province, clubroot came out in force in Alberta in 2024. Its favourite targets were in a pocket of municipalities around Edmonton. These “hot spots” included the counties of Leduc, Parkland, Sturgeon, Strathcona and Camrose — all areas with a consistent history of clubroot. However, the canola disease was found […] Read more
Boosting wheat starts with yield components
Glacier FarmMedia – Unless they’re still waiting on winter wheat, most wheat growers know their 2024 yields. But do they know what components created those yields? Phil Needham, owner of Needham Ag Technologies in Kentucky, outlined the four components of wheat yield and the roles they play: “From a point of view of yield potential […] Read more
Hiring adviser for grant applications takes care
Farmers urged to know credentials, fees, services and successes when they hire a consultant to help with applications
Glacier FarmMedia – Navigating the landscape of grants that may be available to the farm is no small challenge. To start with, it’s confusing. OFCAF, RALP, OFEP — there’s an alphabet soup’s worth of agricultural loans and grants available in Canada today and we’re not talking about a few measly bucks. The On-Farm Climate Action […] Read more
High-protein wheat expected to survive tariffs
Analysts say the global appeal of Canadian Western Red Spring wheat will help cushion the effects of any U.S. levies
A 25 per cent tariff on all Canadian goods exported to the United States would be painful, say market analysts, but some agricultural sectors,, such as canola, may feel it more than others. Meanwhile, high-protein wheat classes such as Canadian Western Red Spring (CWRS) may survive the new world order of international trade. Related stories: […] Read more
Navigating capital gains maze
There are ways for producers to shield themselves from increased capital gains inclusion, but it may take some legwork and consultation with an expert to determine eligibility, said a chartered professional accountant from Alberta. Last June, the Canadian government increased the inclusion rate for individuals and corporations. Capital gains increased from 50 per cent to […] Read more
Producers urged to keep eyes peeled for insects
Populations were mostly small for key pests in Alta. last year, but there were plenty of hot spots so scouting remains vital
Alberta has released its 2024 survey maps for three of canola’s hungriest insect pests: Bertha armyworm, cabbage seedpod weevil and grasshoppers. All three pest populations were relatively small, although hot spots appeared throughout the province. In all three cases, releases from Alberta Agriculture and Irrigation emphasized scouting and when to do so for best results. […] Read more
Crop uniformity during growing season starts in the fall
A uniform grain crop can be far easier to discuss than achieve, but it’s still needed for optimum yields, crop quality, moisture conservation and a host of other agronomic advantages. Achieving a uniform crop actually starts at harvest the previous year, says a crop consultant from Kentucky. Phil Needham, owner of Needham Ag Technologies, told […] Read more
Producers can help minimize weather damage
A Sask. agronomist says moisture conservation and seed timing are key to better outcomes under hostile conditions
Farmers obviously can’t control Mother Nature, but can they reflect on some weather similarities over the years and come up with a management plan to hedge their bets? Absolutely, says an agronomy specialist with the Canola Council of Canada. Speaking at the Saskatchewan Agronomy Update in Saskatoon and online last month, Warren Ward said mindful […] Read more
Potassium deserves more respect
Glacier FarmMedia – Potassium might be the Rodney Dangerfield of fertilizer nutrients: it gets the least respect, says a Saskatchewan agronomist. However, it’s essential to the crop growth process, and you might even say that potassium walks so nitrogen can run. K is the engine that — among many other things — powers photosynthesis, increases […] Read more
