BRANDON — The idea of seeding canola with a corn planter isn’t new, but it is taking a step forward as a Kansas manufacturer takes their Maestro SW into full production. Horsch’s Jeremy Hughes says a small number of the high-tech planters found their way on to farms in Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta a few […] Read more
Ron Lyseng
Stories by Ron Lyseng
GSI looks upward to solve problems
The heat reclaim system at the top of the tower sucks out more moisture, improving grain drying efficiency
There’s no disputing the fact that grain dryers burn a lot of fuel and make a lot of noise. Grain Systems Incorporated (GSI) says its latest dryers address both issues. The new line of GSI tower dryers employ a heat reclamation system to reduce fuel consumption by as much as 30 percent. As well, its […] Read moreDisc drill delivers seed at high speed
BRANDON — The Horsch factory in Kansas is making its first production run of Pronto DC high speed disc drills, which are capable of seeding at speeds up to nine m.p.h. A number of the drills will be available for demonstration in the Canadian Prairies this spring, according to Horsch’s Jeremy Hughes. “The concept we’re […] Read more
Cattails suck: floating water filters
The wetland plant absorbs pollutants and when harvested in the fall, provides a nutrient-rich biomass crop
BRANDON — Cattails have an amazing ability to absorb phosphorus, nitrogen and other elements that may harm natural water bodies and sediment beds. They serve the same vital function in treating wastewater. While cattails may have tremendous potential, there are two factors standing in the way: water levels and nutrient saturation. Water level is crucial. […] Read moreFloating roots act as water treatment plant
Many of us have heard fables about floating islands bobbing about on the high seas. Floating islands also occur in freshwater lakes when mats of vegetation break free from the shore. One characteristic of cattails, bulrushes and other aquatic plants is that they absorb nutrients from the water, including phosphorus and nitrogen. Another characteristic is […] Read more
The accidental soybean trial
When a seeding mistake occurs in a precise and repeatable manner, why not make the best of it and turn it into an experiment. That’s more or less what happened to Scott Day last summer on his farm near Deloraine, Man. Day was using his Seed Hawk on 10-inch spacings to seed soybean variety trials […] Read more
Eye in the sky beginning to pry
The history of agricultural aviation often lags a few steps behind military aviation as retired military craft find a second home in agriculture. The same is true with unmanned aerial vehicle technology. So it should come as no surprise that the latest drone to enter the agricultural field comes from Israel. The Hermes 450 is […] Read more
New technology debuts on Vegas strip
The French built DV Wing delta drone drew a lot of attention at the annual Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. Agriculture equipment has long used the latest in research and technology, but recent tools are being viewed by a wider public as cutting edge. “The design is very good. When you have air disturbance, […] Read more
Microbial catalysts get CFIA approval for wheat
As scientists around the globe intensify their quest to develop new soil microbes for enhanced crop production, a Minnesota company found its own path to manipulating these microscopic helpers. Agnition’s two main microbial catalysts are engineered to massage and enhance soil microbes already living in the soil, rather than introduce new biological agents. The two […] Read more
Creating drought to test drought resistance
Testing new varieties in a greenhouse didn’t translate to field conditions so researchers built their own on-field drought
Plant breeders working on disease resistant varieties use irrigation to replicate high moisture conditions. But what about plant breeders working on drought tolerant varieties? How do they simulate a drought? As climate change brings drought to more areas of the world, plant breeders increasingly turn their attentions to developing crops that make better use of […] Read more
