Crop Management
The farmer in Lanny Faleide knew there had to be better ways to understand the land and ways to market that type of information. It was the early 1990s, the dawn of precision agriculture. After the droughts of the late 1980s, farmers were taking a keener interest in their soils. Reductions in tillage, new approaches […] Read more
Crop Management
GM alfalfa protest blossoms
NORTH BATTLEFORD, Sask. – Rallies staged by the National Farmers Union and the Canadian Biotechnology Action Network to protest the commercial growing plans for genetically modified alfalfa hit locations in several cities across Canada today. Events were scheduled for 17 communities in Ontario and 21 others in Western Canada including federal agriculture minister Gerry Ritz’s […] Read more
Get the most from a quick start with a well designed weed management plan
Weed control Direct seeding, crop rotations and an early start help farmers to eliminate weeds at the start of the season and net higher yields at the end, says researcher
Seeding early can give producers a good shot at a better yield, but only if a well designed weed control strategy is executed. The best way to get the crop in early and at the optimal seeding time is to use a combination of integrated weed management (IWM) strategies, says Alberta Agriculture researcher Ross McKenzie, […] 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 moreMana releases herbicide mixes
Mana Canada has registered two new herbicides for cereal growers. Andrew Mann of Mana Canada, a division of Makhteshim Agan, the Israeli off-patent chemical producer, says the new products will open up the market for producers looking for a choice beyond a chemical company’s bundled product list. Mana has registration for a florasulam and MCPA […] Read more
Farmers 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 moreMap thyself, says American mapping data expert
An American geographer is urging farmers to manage their own digital mapping data. “If you have the desire to know more about your farm, then digital mapping is for you,” says Noel Anderson, who specializes in digital mapping and soil surveying. “And with basic computer skills you can do it yourself. You don’t need a […] 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
Farmers need to tweak corn planter adjustments
PORTAGE la PRAIRIE, Man. — Growing a profitable corn crop is all about perfect seed placement, and that depends on the grower and the planter. Corn planter guru Bill Lehmkuhl says good corn crops are based on how well every component of the planter is maintained and adjusted. He said producers should take the time […] Read more
