It was a dry, hot, windy day in the spring of 2012. Snow had long since disappeared from the Prairies and weather stations everywhere reported high gusts. “Just looking out the window here. Nothing but blue sky everywhere. Twenty-five years ago, this would’ve been black,” said the voice on the phone. It was Agriculture Canada […] Read more
Ron Lyseng
Stories by Ron Lyseng
Count costly corn seeds
Seed costs using a 16-row, 30 inch corn planter to plant 34,000 seeds per acre:
PORTAGE LA PRAIRIE, Man. — Corn growers face a multitude of critical decisions as they try to extract the most value from their high-cost planters. Those decisions become more important as they start to understand the real time cost to run that planter, independent corn consultant Bill Lehmkuhl told a recent Pioneer planter clinic in […] Read more
Grapple allows formushroom stacking
The big grab | Grapple simultaneously grabs two big round bales and rotates them 90 degrees
BRANDON — The Haukaas rotating grapple is designed to gently move a pair of big round bales through a 90 degree arc for quick loading and stacking. As producers take hay quality more seriously, they become more interested in equipment that lets them do a better job of handling bales without damaging the wrapping material. […] Read more
Quick disease identification vital
It’s all about mirrors | Two optical technologies sort out problems in plants and animals
PINAWA, Man. — A new infrared device uses mirrors to identify a wide range of harmful bacteria in plants and animals. Another new optical invention is designed to identify and delete fusarium and ergot kernels from grain shipments. Both inventions may have far-reaching health and economic implications for identifying and isolating bacteria that downgrade or […] Read moreFarmer says bale hauling made easy
When Gord Kozroski got his new bale cart, it brought with it a side benefit he never expected. “It’s faster and more fun than anything. It follows you around like a dog. I can’t get Dad off that thing,” said Kozroski, describing his Haukaas accumulator. The Gull Lake, Sask., grower runs a 500 head cow […] Read more
Making hay pay, means picking it right
Big bale value | It can be lost in picking, handling and transport, but with the right equipment and a plan it can be saved
BRANDON — Livestock producers and commercial forage growers are well aware of the financial benefits of closely managing cutting, conditioning and baling their hay. However, those best management practices disappear when it comes time to moving bales off the field, says Greg Haukaas. Haukaas, who farms at Mortlach. Sask., and runs Haukaas Manufacturing, said producers […] Read moreSeeding early problematic with cereals
Seed vigour | ‘Better than average’ seed required to seed early, says Bruce Carriere of Discovery Seed labs
Cereal seeds are not as temperamental as canola seeds. They tolerate slightly lower soil temperatures, which makes them the first choice for early seeding. However, that’s not a green light to ignore good agronomic practices, says Bruce Carriere, owner of Discovery Seed Labs. “Early seeding of cereals is not a great idea in my opinion. […] Read moreFarmers in the business of harvesting sunshine
Spring seeding | Making the most of photosynthesis
PORTAGE LA PRAIRIE, Man. — Every farming endeavour is based on harvesting sunlight. “That’s what we do, regardless of the type of farming enterprise we’re involved in,” independent agronomist Bill Lehmkuhl told a recent Pioneer Corn Planter Clinic in Portage la Prairie. “Whether we’re growing crops or livestock, the energy all comes from the sun. […] Read moreCorn planters require a thorough inspection
Caution urged | New technology allows for improved yields but still requires farmer input, says agronomist
PORTAGE LA PRAIRIE, Man. — The high level of technology that has become common in a combine has finally reached the corn planter. Some of the yield increases of recent years are attributed to better planters along with the fact that growers are paying more attention to adjusting their planters, says Bill Lehmkuhl, an independent […] Read more
Corn not impossible, just difficult
Uniform spacing essential | Sunshine must penetrate three-quarters of an inch through soil to reach germinating plants
PORTAGE la PRAIRIE, Man. — Indications are that a lot of prairie farmers are going to plant corn for the first time this year. That’s why DuPont Pioneer organized planter clinics on the Prairies in March, said Sandy Endicott, agronomy manager for Pioneer Canada. Endicott told more than 500 producers attending the three clinics that […] Read more
