Farmers usually appreciate Canadian Wheat Board payment adjustments. But that was not the case for Kirk Torkelson, an organic farmer who recently received an unexpected invoice from the grain marketing agency. In November 2002, the Beaubier, Sask., producer sold 76 tonnes of No. 2 CWRS wheat to a commodity broker through the board’s producer direct […] Read more
News
CWB proves costly, says organic grower
Tiny pest causes concern for pea growers
BRANDON – Pea aphids might be puny compared to voracious grasshoppers, but the fast-breeding bugs can significantly lower pea yields. At only an eighth of an inch long, the green, soft-sided insects can be hard to spot and it takes serious scouting to determine whether they are numerous enough to warrant spraying, said Bruce Brolley, […] Read more
Tale of success inspires others
WETASKIWIN, Alta.- Listening to an Ontario family’s story of the transformation of their pumpkin farm into a haunted Halloween entertainment venue was the push many farmers needed to proceed with their own on-farm ventures. “It’s knowing you’re on the right track that yes, I have the same creative ideas and it’s working,” said Tam Anderson […] Read more
Brazilians flock to promise of soybeans
RONDONOPOLIS, Brazil – Farmer Eloi Marchett migrated north from Brazil’s traditional agricultural southern heartland to break new land in the state of Mato Grosso Do Sul in 1974. He moved north again in 1978, into hotter and wilder countryside. He now farms in what Brazilians consider the country’s “wild west,” a region of open and […] Read more
Creeping red fescue growers reduce tillage
Reduced tillage can be an effective way to save time and money when growing creeping red fescue. Also known as creeper, it is a popular special crop in Alberta’s Peace region, said Nick Underwood, an agronomist with Reduced Tillage Linkages in Grande Prairie, Alta. “Creeper is one of those grasses that is hard to remove […] Read more
Ideas grow from metal
ARDATH, Sask. – Ornamental metal wizard Darryl Turley can thank an agronomic decision for one of his more interesting creations. Turley and his brothers, who grow crops and raise cattle on 2,000 acres in the Ardath area northwest of Outlook, Sask., have never regretted their switch to zero tillage 10 years ago, but soon discovered […] Read more
Schmeiser draws global attention
The Sacramento Bee newspaper in California last week proclaimed him “Canada’s most famous farmer.” A television reporter from France asked him how he had the strength to carry on. Bruno, Sask., farmer Percy Schmeiser stood before the international media last week and proclaimed himself a simple 73-year-old farmer fighting for ancient rights of farmers to […] Read more
Profits begin with a good bull
Farmers who plan to keep their old bulls another year or swap bulls with a neighbour to save money may end up costing themselves more money in the long run, said an Alberta Agriculture beef specialist. Farmers may be swapping dollars now for more open cows, slow-growing calves and lower growth rates that will hurt […] Read more
Coming Events
Jan. 28-30: FarmTech, Mayfield Inn, Edmonton, 866-327-6832 Jan. 30: Cocktails for Cattle fundraiser and benefit auction of western art, fashion and lifestyle items, Coyotes Bar & Dance Saloon, Calgary (Heather Hartmann, 403-291-7077) Jan. 30-31: Ranchers Bull Congress, Exhibition Grounds, Stettler, Alta., 866-742-6288 Westman beef seminar (John Popp, 204-867-3961) Feb. 3: Miniota, Man. Feb. 4: Belmont, […] Read more
CWB cautious in durum calls
The Canadian Wheat Board plans to adopt a cautious approach in calling forward durum deliveries for the remainder of the crop year. The board wants to avoid a repeat of last year, when it issued calls for all the durum farmers had available to deliver to enable them to take advantage of higher prices in […] Read more
