Crop Management
Too often the term global food security is used to justify our existence as farmers. As an industry, we’ve named organizations, government departments and major marketing campaigns based around the term food security. What usually begins as frightening projections on global population growth urges us as farmers to produce more to feed a “growing global […] Read more
Crop Management
This is what I’ve learned from the last 12 months
This is the time of year when there is time to reflect back on the season that just wrapped up and try to take some lessons from what we did and what happened. Here are a few notes that I made. Wheat planted early, followed by three weeks of cold weather, will successfully germinate and […] Read more
Rising ozone called a threat to corn varieties
Current levels will decrease yields by as much as 10 percent, which is the same level of threat as drought and flood
While rising carbon dioxide and methane levels in the atmosphere are a concern, little attention has been paid to the problem of rising ozone levels. In a new study, researchers have discovered that some varieties of the corn family are more susceptible than others to yield losses when exposed to high levels of ozone air […] Read more
Marketing key in hemp sector
Advance research into markets and agronomy is vital for those who want to grow hemp. Jeff Kostiuk of Hemp Genetics International fields calls from producers interested in growing what could be a lucrative crop, but they have to know ahead of time how to plant it and later market it. “You have to realize what […] Read more
China approves two new GM crops from U.S. for import, renews 10 others
BEIJING, (Reuters) – China approved two new genetically modified (GM) crops for import earlier this week that could boost agricultural purchases from the United States, while renewing permits for 10 others, the Chinese agriculture ministry said. Earlier this month, Beijing and Washington announced a Phase 1 trade deal, under which China has agreed to import […] Read more
China plans to issue biosafety certificates to domestic GM soybean, corn
BEIJING – China’s agriculture ministry said earlier this week it plans to issue biosafety certificates to a domestically grown, genetically modified (GM) soybean crop and two corn crops, in a move towards commercializing GM grain production in the world’s top market. China will grant the certificate to SHZD32-01 soybean developed by Shanghai Jiaotong University, provided […] Read more
WP January 2nd edition will arrive late
Due to unforeseen circumstances the January 2nd issue of The Western Producer will be late arriving. We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience. The January 2, 2020 “Digital Edition” will be available online at its usual time, early Thursday morning, here: https://www.producer.com/digital-edition/
EU and US wheat markets up
Euronext wheat futures rose to a six month high on Friday, tracking a rally in Chicago, as technical momentum and export demand buoyed wheat markets. A sharp rise in the Euro, which reached a two-week high against the dollar, curbed gains on Euronext. March milling wheat, the most active contract on the Paris-based exchange, was […] Read more
Greenhouse strives to be responsible planetary tenant
MEDICINE HAT, Alta. — Sustainability isn’t just a buzzword at Big Marble Farms. The largest indoor vegetable production greenhouse in Alberta practices sustainability at every stage, operating year-round to supply cucumbers and tomatoes. Beginning as a four-acre farm 10 years ago, subsequent small expansions followed by a 20-acre addition in 2016 and another 10 acres […] Read more
Sustainability finding home in mainstream agriculture
It’s pretty easy to scoff at the term “sustainable” when it’s bandied about by urban hippies. It’s harder to laugh off when hardcore agronomic and marketing professionals embrace the terms. And in finding ways for commercial farmers to embrace both profitability and sustainability, professionals such as Lana Shaw and Brenda Tjaden are also discovering a […] Read more
