Three out of four farmers may suffer health problems associated with exposure to grain dust, according to a study by the Institute of Agricultural Rural and Environmental Health at the University of Saskatchewan. The institute said human activity in closed environments, such as grain bins, increases a farmer’s exposure to moulds that cause health problems. […] Read more
Production
Grain dust affects health
New Products
Spray tip The new Turbo TeeJet Induction spray tip is designed to apply chemicals accurately in areas where off-target drift is a concern and good overlap distribution is required. A pre-orifice design eliminates smaller droplets and produces large, air-filled, drift-resistant droplets. Based on the design of the original Turbo TeeJet spray nozzle, the TTI offers […] Read more
Diseases not always boosted by zero till
NISKU, Alta. – As more farmers have adopted zero tillage, minimum tillage and other direct seeding methods during the past two decades, it has generated questions about increased disease risks. Jeannie Gilbert, a cereal disease researcher at Agriculture Canada’s Cereal Research Centre in Winnipeg, said there’s no simple answer to which diseases increase with reduced […] Read more
Larger boom more environmentally friendly
Regulations and changes in sprayer technology over the next few years will be geared toward greater environmental protection, say Canadian researchers. Is the key to go faster, or slow down and use wider booms? A 150-foot boom may not be out of the question. Federal and provincial laws will require producers to place greater emphasis […] Read more
New Products
McCormick tractors McCormick’s XTX tractor series is now available in Canada. The tractors have six-cylinder engines and are available in three models with maximum power outputs ranging from 165 pto horsepower to 200 pto hp. The tractors feature electronically operated hydraulic valves using seat-mounted controls and a new four-post cab design with full-length doors, new […] Read more
Air velocity solves residue challenge
Experienced no-till farmers say the straw spreader on their combine is the number one item in their implement lineup. Direct seeding is difficult without a wide and uniform residue spread. If you can chop straw and throw it out in a swath that matches your header width, direct seeding can be achieved without the expense […] Read more
Winter wheat stressed in Alta.
Last fall’s wetter-than-normal conditions may not have been the best for harvesting, but were good for winter wheat seeding and establishment. Most winter wheat fields were seeded in September, allowing for good establishment and over-winter survival. Few winterkill problems were observed this spring. “Producers were very optimistic and looking forward to good yields with winter […] Read more
Residue managers can help save time, money: farmers
Ernie Luchsinger bought one of the first maximum air velocity residue managers on the market in 2004, and had it installed on his new New Holland CR970 last fall. The producer from Rosthern, Sask., put 4,000 acres on the combine without a problem. He said if the high performance residue manager does eat extra power, […] Read more
Late seeding changes fertilizer requirements
Seeding operations have generally been delayed because of wet soil conditions in much of the Red River Valley. As seeding is backed into June there are some fertility and nutrition concerns with nitrogen and phosphorus that should be recognized. Cool season crops generally respond less to applied nitrogen fertilizer as seeding is delayed. Two reasons […] Read more
Manipulating Group 1 herbicide rates
EDMONTON – Recent surveys suggest 40 percent of farmers in Western Canada have applied herbicide at lower-than-recommended rates at one time or another. Eric Johnson, weed biologist with Agriculture Canada at Scott, Sask., said the practice can pay off, but farmers must be aware of how to minimize the risks. Johnson said recent research with […] Read more
