Crop Management
Satellite data and machine learning are yielding powerful tools for crop management in Western Canada
SASKATOON — Information is power, and by putting that power into farmers’ hands, Steve Shirtliffe wants to help Western Canada continue its record of world-leading innovation. “My vision is that we build a digital agriculture economy here in Saskatchewan,” he said. “ We’ve done it before. Where did no till come from? Where did people […] Read more
Crop Management
A little less acid can boost crop nutrition
Altering soil pH may reduce fertilizer needs by reclaiming residual nutrients and increasing use efficiency
SASKATOON — With farmers in Western Canada facing another year of expensive crop inputs, a soil amendment that helps cut these costs by using what’s already there could be attractive. “We’ve been over-fertilizing for 50 years,” said Morgan Duggan, sales agronomist with NorStar Agriculture, which specializes in amendments to deal with pH, salinity, toxicity and […] Read more
Sask. growers can expect strong seed supply this spring
SASKATOON — The seed supply in Saskatchewan is in good shape. Sandy Junek of Saskatoon-based Discovery Seed Labs said weather patterns in the previous growing year largely dictates the quality of seed available to farmers. “Dry conditions tend to produce decent quality seed, maybe not the yields that people are looking for, but the quality […] Read more
Company deploys million worms to improve soils
Annelida Soil Solutions of Alta. recently received an innovation award for its soil amendment that is based on worm castings
CALGARY — An Alberta company wants to turn poop from about 80 million worms into a natural superfood for the soil. “Essentially, what we’re doing is using Mother Nature and creating a soil microbiome through our technology,” said Jamie DePape, co-founder and director of sales for Annelida Soil Solutions Ltd. Related stories: Regenerative ag reaches […] Read more
Finding the best pulse for a dry year
Although it’s too early to tell for sure, trusted sources are suggesting drought conditions on the horizon for 2024. According to Agriculture Canada’s Canadian Drought Monitor in its December 2023 drought assessment, 100 percent of the prairie region at month-end was classified as abnormally dry or in moderate to exceptional drought. This includes all of the […] Read more
Online resources support pulse crop planning
Online tools are available to help pulse growers work their way through a number of key management decisions. Here are a few dedicated to the prairie provinces. Saskatchewan There’s an online tool for lentil growers who are wondering if they are at risk of aphanomyces root rot in their fields. Related stories: Lentil carryout to […] Read more
Glyphosate, glufosinate prices hit rock bottom
Producers are urged to take advantage and book one or two year’s supply, but many are reluctant to buy too far ahead
SASKATOON — Farmers should seriously consider locking up their glyphosate and glufosinate needs at today’s rock bottom prices, say suppliers of the products. “I absolutely think growers should be pouncing,” said Joel Merkosky, president of Johnston’s Grain. “If I was a producer and I was sitting on a solid cash position, I’d be looking at […] Read more
Farmers to plant more pulses this spring
SASKATOON — Fewer cereals and oilseeds and more pulses — that sums up Agriculture Canada’s first crack at predicting what Canadian farmers will plant in 2024. The federal government agency is forecasting a three percent drop in wheat and a five percent decline in barley acres. Canola plantings are anticipated to be down 1.5 percent, […] Read more
Russian wheat estimates can be tough to make
A limited U.S. diplomatic presence in Russia following that country's invasion of Ukraine can make forecasting difficult
SASKATOON — The U.S. Department of Agriculture says strained diplomatic relations with Russia are hampering its ability to properly forecast the country’s wheat production. The USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) has been way off the mark the past couple of years with its early estimates for the Black Sea country. It initially pegged the 2023-24 […] Read more
Producers urged to buy urea sooner than later
Trader says recent price spike is likely short-term, but farmers should make their purchases no later than mid-March
BRANDON — The global market for urea is in a period of mixed signals. Buyers in Australia and Southeast Asia made purchases in early January, putting upward pressure on price. Plus, stocks in North America are relatively low, which is also supportive of prices. On the other side of the coin, China may delay exports […] Read more
