New research could help Canada develop a new generation of high pigment durum varieties to strengthen its position in top world markets. A study at the University of Saskatchewan’s Crop Development Centre aims to pinpoint the genes responsible for bright yellow pigment in durum, a trait that is desired by foreign markets. “This study will […] Read more
Production
Sask. researchers study durum pigment
Controlling round-leaved mallow
A two-year study at the University of Saskatchewan has verified that four products registered for cereal crops that aren’t registered for control of round-leaved mallow do in fact provide acceptable levels of control for that weed. Ken Sapsford, a research assistant at the Crop Development Centre at the U of S, said the study was […] Read more
Maximizing crop yields on high potassium soils
If your soil test finds high potassium, should you add additional potassium fertilizer? This is a question that Adrian Johnston of the Potash & Phosphate Institute tackled in a recent paper, Potassium Responses Ñ Managing High Potassium Testing Soils. The following is a summary of his paper. The answer is generally no, but there are […] Read more
Pulse inoculants may offer cheap insurance
Inoculating pulse crops with peat or liquid formulations can be a hassle. It has to be done in the field, with the seed used as soon as possible after application to give the bacteria the best chance to survive and work their magic. Granular formulations have made the job easier, but they’re more expensive and […] Read more
Assessing spring frost damage in canola crops
One of the major factors affecting canola production in Western Canada is the short frost-free period. The frost-free period is the number of days between the last freezing temperature in the spring and the first frost in the fall. It varies considerably from one location to the next. Significant variations usually occur on a local […] Read more
New Products
Floor squeegee The Pro-Series Hydro Squeegee by Kadon Industries of Pierceland, Sask., is a heavy duty squeegee designed to clean driveways, patios and floors in dairy barns, garages, industrial shops and other farm buildings. It attaches to a standard garden hose and features a flow control valve at the top of the handle, offering convenient […] Read more
SprayTest designed to save time, money
WINNIPEG Ñ Farmers can’t waste time when it’s a busy season like spraying, says Dale Wiens. The Beechy, Sask., farmer and inventor of the SprayTest remote valve control said checking for plugged nozzles is a routine task that is often skipped because the clock is ticking. “You’ve got to stop your sprayer, open up the […] Read more
Chemical losses during nozzle check can be costly
Beechy, Sask., farmer Dean Stockman said one check for plugged nozzles will dump six gallons of product on the ground. “That’s six gallons if you don’t have any plugged nozzles. If you need to clean a nozzle and then check again, it’s 12 gallons. If you missed the first time, and that does happen, then […] Read more
Low budget fertilizer cart allows in-cab rate changes
ROULEAU, Sask. Ñ Daryl Tiessen has used liquid fertilizer for the past 10 years. His first two pull-behind carts were 800 and 1,250 US gallon commercial units, but he wanted more capacity. “I thought with the high cost of buying a new one, I could build one myself for a lot less money, with some […] Read more
New Products
Compact tractors New Holland’s new TZ Boomer series of sub-compact tractors comes in three models. All three have enough power to handle front or rear-mounted implements including snow blowers, tillers and front-end loaders. The optional Sensitrak system, available on TZ22DA and TZ25DA models, engages and disengages the four-wheel drive automatically when required. The Sensitrak system […] Read more
