With energy and potash prices in decline, agriculture minister says farming has been punted into a key economic position
Forty Saskatchewan crop research projects got the good news about funding Jan. 12 in Saskatoon. “Funding for these projects ensures the long-term success of this industry and the province,” Saskatchewan agriculture minister Lyle Stewart said while announcing the $7 million funding package to a meeting at CropSphere, which ran Jan. 12-13 in Saskatoon. Farming’s role […] Read moreNews
Saskatchewan crop research gets $7 million boost
One down, lots to go
Everyone helps with chores at the Alberta Hutterite Colony near Cayley, Alta., where lambing got underway the first week in January. | Mike Sturk photos
Farmers want carbon sequestration payment
The resolution approved by a variety of Sask. commodity groups is a response to expectations for a national carbon tax
Saskatchewan crop commodity groups want governments to compensate farmers for carbon sequestration. A resolution that made the rounds at the CropSphere conference directs crop associations to work together to formulate a unified front in advance of what they feel is a pending carbon tax. The resolution was put forward by Dave Sefton, a director of […] Read moreShared goals critical to success for multi-owner farm operations
Multi-owner farms are nothing new. For years we have seen two and sometimes three generations of a family farm together. Grandpa and Grandma often still “farm” a few acres or have a few cows, Mom and Dad will often have the lion’s share of the operation and a son or daughter will be just starting […] Read more
Saskatoon crop show moving
A major component of jointly held farm meetings, seminars and exhibits held in early January plans to move out of Saskatoon’s downtown. CropSphere, which consists of several farm groups that broke from Crop Production Week and Crop Production Show three years ago to create a third event at a downtown convention centre, is moving to […] Read more
Ont. beekeepers dispute latest neonic study
Three government agencies in North America determine imidacloprid as a seed treatment doesn’t threaten honeybees
A Health Canada study on neonicotinoid seed treatments has irritated beekeepers in Ontario and delighted defenders of the technology. However, it’s probably premature to be outraged or to celebrate because Health Canada will release two more reports on neonicotinoids later this year. The Pest Management Regulatory Agency, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the State […] Read moreSocial media plays role in fanning food fear
A story by Western Producer reporter Sean Pratt on page 63 of this week’s paper holds some good lessons for those of us who work, or spend any time, in the world of social media. Pratt’s story talks about how the Saskatchewan Canola Development Commission intends to use social media to help dispel some common […] Read more
Survey looks at rotations
A researcher at the University of Saskatchewan is hoping that a national survey on crop rotations will shed new light on the contributions that farmers have made toward reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Stuart Smyth, a professor from the U of S, has launched an online survey aimed at learning more about rotational practices and how […] Read more
ChemChina eyes Syngenta
ZUG, Switzerland (Reuters) Syngenta is in talks about a possible merger and is weighing several options, said the Swiss agrichemicals group’s chair Jan. 13. Michel Demare said last month that the crop chemicals and seeds company was talking with China’s state-owned ChemChina, U.S. seeds giant Monsanto and others. When asked about the prospect of Syngenta […] Read more
Manage field like business and cut money losers
Profitability varies from field to field; revenue mapping system will determine areas to focus on and those to ignore
RIDGETOWN, Ont. — Pumping resources and dollars into sub-par field locations makes little sense. Instead, it’s better to limit input expenditures in those spots or take those areas out of production entirely. That was David Muth Jr.’s advice at the recent Southwest Agriculture Conference Jan. 4. “We have to understand the impact variability has our […] Read more
