Resistant varieties, hydrated lime applications and improvements to weed management appear to be beneficial
RED DEER — New preliminary research suggests farmers will be able to better manage clubroot if they integrate a number of practices. The University of Alberta trials, led by plant science masters student Brittany Hennig, indicates that producers who use multiple strategies, like growing resistant varieties, using lime to spot-treat, and better controlling weeds, will […] Read moreAuthor Archives
Bertha armyworm, wheat midge warning issued
Bertha armyworm is expected to be a problem in southern Alberta, while wheat midge is a concern in central region
RED DEER — Producers in southern Alberta might experience an influx of bertha armyworms this year, while those in the central region could experience higher wheat midge populations. The predictions should be taken with a grain of salt given much can change, said Alberta insect management specialist Scott Meers, but he added producers should still […] Read more
Crop options worth checking out this spring
RED DEER — Farmers may want to look at different crop options this spring, considering disease issues continue to be problematic. Alternatives include a variety of cereals, oilseeds and pulses, and their returns could be better than expected, according to agronomists and specialists who shared options Jan. 8 during the Agronomy Update conference in Red […] Read more
Practicality of nitrogen-protein link questioned
Massive amounts of nitrogen can improve protein content in spring wheat, but the figures may not make logical sense
RED DEER — New preliminary research shows that farmers may be able to increase protein content in their spring wheat by adding more nitrogen, but it would require an inordinate amount that may seem unattainable. The first-year trials, led by Agriculture Canada researchers last year, indicate that 107 to 214 pounds of urea per acre, […] Read more
American hemp processor sees opportunity for growth
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — The founder of a relatively new hemp-processing company is hoping the crop will take off in the United States, despite issues that plagued farmers who grew it this year. Steve Groff, founder of Groff North America, said there is huge demand for products derived from hemp, but the supply chain is in […] Read more
What about fertilizer type?
Along with adding more nitrogen to spring wheat, researchers in Alberta also examined the impacts that certain fertilizer brands had on yield and protein content. They looked at Nutrien’s blend of 75 percent ESN and 25 percent urea, Corteva’s eNtrench/Instinct, Koch’s Agrotain (NBPT), EuroChem Agro’s NBPT-DMPSA and Koch’s SuperU. They were applied at trial sites […] Read more
Connections: keys to success
Jody Carrington knew what she wanted to do with her life after one of her high school teachers made a significant impression on her. The teacher spoke to the students about a classmate who had recently died. Carrington didn’t recall what the teacher wore, but she remembered how she made her feel. “I wanted to […] Read more
Fusarium levels higher in ’19 but manageable
Seed analysts and pathologists warn that more cases could be found next year if weather conditions continue to be wet
RED DEER — Seed analysts and plant pathologists say cases of fusarium graminearum in cereals spiked in 2019, pointing to wet weather as the main driver behind the spread. Initial data from 20/20 Seed Labs shows as much as 60 percent of durum samples from Alberta had some level of infection, with wheat and barley […] Read more
Livestock producers share grazing successes
Livestock producers Brett McRae and Leanne Thompson take soil seriously, working to improve land in a way that provides ecological and financial benefits. The producers, who farm separately, recently spoke of their management practices at the Western Canada Conference on Soil and Grazing in Edmonton. Their operations are different in many ways, but the principles […] Read more
Lower soybean and corn prices for 2020: analyst
INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana — Soybean and corn prices will either be steady or lower in 2020 as production in the United States is expected to improve, according to a market analyst. The predictions largely assume that the growing season will be good, that a U.S.-China trade deal might not be reached and African swine fever (ASF) […] Read more
