Hemp-nettle is the nastiest of the many species of the mint family found in Western Canada. The pest, formally known as Galeopsis tetrahit, has been in Western Canada since at least the 1940s and became a significant problem in the late 1960s. It likes damper regions and thrives in moist, black soils. However, it has […] Read more
Thom Weir
Stories by Thom Weir
Weed of the Week: cleavers
Cleavers are something many producers would like to chop from their fields. The twisting and ropy vine-like weeds tangle through the crop, using up nutrients, water and farmers’ patience at harvest time. Galium aparine and Galium spurium, also known as false cleavers, are designated noxious under the Weed Control Act. False cleavers have a notch […] Read more
Risks and benefits of early seeding
Crops can tolerate spring frost better than early fall frost. To offset the cold stress associated with early seeding, follow these best management practices:
Weather changes at this time of year make it difficult to predict when growers will be on the land. Growers are starting to seed as I write this in mid-April, and in the extreme south of Alberta, they have already wrapped up. I checked soil temperatures April 20 and found that they are already starting […] Read moreThe risks and benefits of early seeding
Weather changes at this time of year make it difficult to predict when growers will be on the land. Growers are starting to seed as I write this in mid-April, and in the extreme south of Alberta, they have already wrapped up. I checked soil temperatures today and found that they are already starting to […] Read more
Seeding by plant population? Don’t get too hung up on it
Crops should be seeded with a target plant population in mind. These targets can be determined by reviewing research done at various locations. The target plant populations used in this column are averages from researchers across Western Canada and the northern United States. The experience on your own land under your own conditions and using […] Read more
Don’t believe hype unless it’s backed by facts
I had never realized until this winter’s farm shows that there were so many ways to optimize, synergize, maximize, energize and revitalize my soil. Those seemed to be the buzz words at many of the booths I visited. However, I was also disturbed that the companies promoting these products were unable to show me data […] Read more
Planning for next year starts now
Preparing a cost of production worksheet for the farm is one of the most rewarding New Year’s resolutions that producers can make. Grain farmers, with whom I am most acquainted, will find this information invaluable when making decisions. Templates are available that can prepare a cost of production worksheet for each crop and each field. […] Read more
Who owns your data?
Editor’s note: This is the final part of a two-part column on data use in agriculture. Information privacy and ownership are popping up in conversations as big data develops in agriculture. The issue is further complicated because the collected data is transferred over the internet and aggregated by different companies for a variety of purposes. […] Read more
Is data the next disruptive force in the world food supply?
This is the first of a two-part column that deals with data use in agriculture. The second part will appear next week. Disruptive technology is a buzzword that is frequently thrown around in the high tech world these days. It is technology that helps create a new market and eventually disrupts an existing market, displacing […] Read more
Effective weed control begins in autumn; timing is key
Fall is a good time to control perennial and winter annual weeds. In fact, for many weeds, it is the best time for control. However, timing for optimal herbicide control varies with the type of weeds are in the field. Dandelions are best controlled from the middle of September until the end of October. However, […] Read more
