Crop Management
Cutting down trees was a common way to clear land for agricultural production a century ago on the fringes of the Prairies. When they were done, the pioneers dragged the trees into windrows or brush piles and burned them. But a strange thing happened when they finally got around to sowing a crop, said Jerome […] Read more
Crop Management
Turn ash into cash
Tissue tests can pay by revealing true crop needs
Tissue tests are money well spent for growers who are unsure if their crop needs more nutrients, says John Heard, a soil fertility specialist with Manitoba Agriculture. “If (it) looks like there’s some ailment, you should do a complete diagnostic evaluation, which generally includes a tissue test and a soil test,” he said. Farmers Edge, […] Read more
Is the small, mixed farm a model for safer food production?
The farm in a toddler’s storybook has a few chickens, cattle and sheep, rolling green fields and a garden. For many city folks, this is the vision of the ideal farm, the place they think their food comes from, if they think of it at all beyond the grocery store shelf. But in agriculture, we […] Read more
Japanese brome grass
Japanese brome grass, a cool season annual, is native to the eastern region of Japan, as the name bromus japonicus implies, and central Europe. It is considered an invasive alien species and competes with native perennials for resources in pastures and where reclamation is taking place on oil and gas sites, roadsides and where water […] Read more
Canadian tiny tractors in top 10 at competition
REGINA — All of Canada’s agricultural engineering programs made it into the top 10 in a recent quarter scale tractor design competition, but Manitoba’s team was most improved. Universities from across North American compete annually for top 10 finishes in the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers quarter scale tractor design competition in Peoria, […] Read more
Ag manufacturers eyeing Saskatchewan tractor design team
Engineering students from the University of Saskatchewan continue to get high marks in competition while attracting attention from U.S. Midwest implement manufacturers. The Sled Dogs team put in its best showing at the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers’ annual quarter scale tractor international student design competition, held this year in Peoria, Illinois, June […] Read more
Western Producer Crop Report – for Jul. 7, 2011
MANITOBA SOUTHWEST Wet conditions hurt development Many crops are suffering from soggy conditions in the region. Crops are yellowing and showing signs of nutrient deficiency. Crops broadcasted onto wet fields are beginning to establish. Pasture is exceptionally wet, and standing water is hindering growth. Higher pasture land is in good condition. Hay crops look promising, […] Read more
Sprouting business resists expansion
Mumm’s Sprouting Seeds has come a long way from the kitchen table of a small family farm. Jim and Maggie Mumm started an organic farm near Shellbrook, Sask., in 1972. They raised livestock and devoted a few acres to crops, including alfalfa. Over time, the Mumms found demand for their alfalfa seeds growing, primarily among […] Read more
Cover crop an option for late season seeding
With 2,400 acres of unseeded land on his farm north of Souris, Man., Andy Barclay is definitely in unfamiliar territory this summer. Like many farmers in Manitoba and southeastern Saskatchewan who are staring at soaked, weedy fields in July, Barclay isn’t sure what he will do with his cropland next year. Barclay said he might […] Read more
Crop insurance workers return
Saskatchewan Crop Insurance Corp. reached a tentative agreement with its workers last week after a short strike. The 470 Saskatchewan Government and General Employees Union members walked off the job June 21. They settled three days later for a 5.5 percent wage increase over three years plus .25 percent in the third year, as well […] Read more
