Records indicate the first analytical soil sample was taken in 1914 in Ontario and the practice came to the Prairies in the 1950s and 1960s. Based on current soil sampling frequency data and anecdotal evidence, all farmers are not convinced it is a practice worth the annual expense. A few weeks ago, I conducted a […] Read more
Stories by Katelyn Duncan PAg
Now is the time for long-term care reform
Canadians have lobbied for long-term care reform for 50 years, but the urgent need for it has become painfully obvious to everyone during the past eight months. Pandemic pressure has resulted in isolation protocols, capacity restrictions and clear examples of unethical patient treatment. There is growing evidence that long-term care needs to move toward a […] Read more
Why do we work so much?
It was a beautiful late September day, 24 C with a light breeze. I had just finished spraying for the afternoon and was scheduled to switch my uncle off the combine around 4:30 p.m. With an hour to spare, I had an idea. So, I announced on the radio “Just finished spraying. I’ll go for […] Read more
COVID sheds light on importance of health on the farm
Farmers have always been connected to several aspects of a healthy lifestyle. As food producers, we’re closely connected to the lifecycle of food, from field to fork. We’re also early pioneers of the concept of community, which happens to be a primary factor for self-reported happiness. But as agriculture has evolved, have we lost aspects […] Read more
Context is everything and trade-offs exist with COVID-19
Likely the most prominent question on most farmers’ minds is, “what impact will COVID-19 have on my farm business?” With so many unknowns, the impacts will be immediate and multifaceted, yet also long-standing from an economic, environmental, and social perspective. The largest mobilization since the Second World War prompts important questions. What unaccounted for positive […] Read more
Spray water quality top of mind during dry conditions
Spray water has become a hot topic in the last few years as surface water dries up and farmers seek out new water sources for spraying operations. Knowing the quality of your water is important for effective spray operations, yet it’s surprising how many farmers haven’t had their water tested. A water analysis is the […] Read more
Spray water quality top of mind, especially when it’s dry
Spray water has become a hot topic in the last few years as surface water dries up and farmers seek out new water sources for spraying operations. Knowing the quality of your water is important for effective spray operations, yet it’s surprising how many farmers haven’t had their water tested. A water analysis is the […] Read more
Farms adopt digital ag platforms for better decision making
Generating digital data has been a part of many farms for a few years, but only within the last couple have digital ag platforms flooded the marketplace. A digital ag platform is software that allows farmers to generate meaningful information from equipment for crop scouting, farm management, soil mapping and record keeping. A lot of […] Read more
Verification systems necessary for best practices
The word sustainability means something different to everyone, and this is somewhat problematic. If I were to ask an entire room of farmers if their farm is sustainable, likely every one of them would raise their hands. It seems odd, considering that no two farms are the same. Current sustainability dialogue for grain crops is […] Read more
Culture shift is difficult, but ag has shown it is possible
I’ve been noticing a significant culture shift within the industry lately, one that will undoubtedly have a significant impact on the long-term health and sustainability of farming. As an industry, we’ve minimized the powerful stigma that exists around mental health. Industries, just like people, typically won’t change unless they have to. However, low points or […] Read more
