Crop Management
The Canadian Canola Growers Association is accepting applications for cash advances under the 2011 Post-Harvest Advance Payment Program. The program offers advances of up to $400,000, with the first $100,000 interest-free. This is the first year that the association will accept applications by fax at 204-788-0039, which is expected to shave three to five days […] Read more
Crop Management
Canola cash advance applications available
Rainfall limits quality of this year’s canola in Manitoba
Chuck Fossay knew canola yields would be down on his farm near Starbuck, Man., after an incredibly wet spring and a blazing hot summer. However, the severity of the yield loss was astounding when he began combining his fields in late August. “Our yields have been very disappointing. As low as six bushels (per acre) […] Read more
Alberta survey predicts 2012 bug levels
If southern and central Alberta farmers see someone standing in their fields later this month, it might be the folks surveying for wheat midge and wheat stem sawfly. Scott Meers, insect management specialist for Alberta Agriculture, said 240 fields will be soil sampled for wheat midge larval cocoons starting in mid-September. Surveyors will also check […] Read more
Nutrition test advised before using old hay
This year’s hay is usually a better bet than last year’s hay when it comes to feed value, but if quantity is short in some parts of the Prairies this year, buyers may see old hay as an option. And sellers with lots of old hay may want to move it out to make room […] Read more
Rain dampens outlook in Germany
HAMBURG, Germany (Reuters) — Rain in Germany may spoil an otherwise positive picture for European Union winter rapeseed seeding after bad weather significantly hurt this year’s crop. “It looks like the problem with German rain threatening EU rapeseed supplies will not end with this year’s terrible German rapeseed crop,” one trader said. “Unless the weather […] Read more
Likelihood of weak La Nina returning is 50-50
GENEVA, Switzerland (Reuters) — La Nina could occur in a weak form this year, says the World Meteorological Organization. The weather phenomenon is typically linked to flooding in the Asia- Pacific region, drought in the U.S. southern plains and a more intense hurricane season over the Atlantic Ocean. A borderline La Nina situation has developed […] Read more
Manure rules force soil sampling regulations
SPRINGFIELD, Illinois – There’s a reason why advances in soil sampling technology are flying at us left and right: manure. There were a number of new soil sampling machines on display at the recent InfoAg conference in Illinois. When asked why these machines are now in such a competitive market, the consensus of the manufacturer […] Read more
Getting the sample right, over and over again
SPRINGFIELD, Illinois — The new Wintex 1000 Automatic uses a computer controlled probe to repeatedly hit the exact same depth for each soil sample. Built in Denmark and marketed by Precision Technologies in Iowa, the Wintex made its North American debut at InfoAg here last month. One big factor in sparking the plethora of new […] Read more
Bad rap for flax could soon see turnaround
VEGREVILLE, Alta. — Farmers in the northern half of the Prairies hate growing flax. If any moisture comes at harvest, the plant starts to reflower. If the plant is tough, the crop wraps around the cylinder and farmers spend hours hacking the woody stems out of the combine. “Farmers looked at flax as a poor […] Read more
Man. insect report lists pest, virus expectations
Weather and insect populations go together like soup and marriage, horse and sandwich, love and carriage. “The weather certainly has an impact on insect populations. It affects different insects in different ways,” said John Gavloski, Manitoba provincial entomologist. The cool wet spring followed by a hot dry summer affected the 2011 insect population and is […] Read more
