Although farming is a year-round activity, many critical crop and weed management decisions are made in spring. The following tips will help successfully manage weeds and secure a good harvest. Establish a healthy crop: A well-established and healthy crop that develops a uniform stand is the most effective tool against weeds. Use the best available […] Read more
Production
Ten tips for better weed control
End of pesticide rebates applauded
A month has passed since Nufarm announced it was eliminating all grower rebate programs on its herbicide products, effective this spring. The move is in response to producer complaints over the years that the chemical industry has too many programs that are complicated and time-consuming and compel farmers to make wrong agronomic decisions in order […] Read more
Chemical firm’s new system rewards client loyalty
For 2005, Dow has replaced the traditional grower rebate programs with a system that rewards clients for past loyalty rather than enticing them to make chemical decisions based on package deals. “We did a lot of talking with farmers and retailers, discussing what was wrong with the way industry approached grower rebates and offers,” said […] Read more
Multi-purpose building wears many hats
REDCLIFF, Alta. Ñ When Vern and Vivienne Pancoast started planning a new shop and storage building on their farm near Redcliff, they had no idea how versatile it would be. As the project progressed, however, they soon discovered what a properly planned and designed building can do. “Prior to having this building, all we had […] Read more
Crop rotation offers range of benefits
A properly managed crop rotation can yield many benefits, says an agronomist with Reduced Tillage in Lethbridge: good economics; improved soil conservation; lower-cost weed control and reduced greenhouse gas emissions. “With increased interest in zero tillage and continuous cropping, we’re finding a proper crop sequence is important to making the systems work,” Don Wentz said. […] Read more
New Products
New Cover-All building Cover-All Building Systems has expanded its Legend series with the introduction of a new 65 foot wide building. It is a cost efficient building system with lower installation costs. It has a 10-foot tall leg component that provides ample clearance for moving machinery, managing livestock and storing goods. The building is ideal […] Read more
Mobile seed treater doubles as generator
PICTURE BUTTE, Alta. Ñ To simplify the spring seed treatment process, Haney Farms near Picture Butte, Alta., uses a farm-built mobile seed treating system. “With this unit, the basis was a Versatile 400 swather. It’s a totally self-contained unit. Rather than push, pull or drag (equipment around), the machine drives itself from bin to bin […] Read more
Count your blessings, count your sheep
MINNITAKI, Ont. Ñ With each passing year, farmers get more involved with the idea of keeping profit inside or at least near the farmgate. That’s the way Robert Egli has been running his 960 acre sheep farm since emigrating from Switzerland 53 years ago. “If there was to be only one thing I’ve learned in […] Read more
Lupins, fababeans hold promise
Promising results from the first year of a three-year study have convinced researchers there is huge potential for two pulse crops in Alberta. Alberta Agriculture is looking for something to replace the shrinking pea acreage in the Parkland and Peace River regions of the province. The search led the agency to fababeans and lupins, the […] Read more
High fan speed can damage flax
REGINA Ñ A crop expert says more work needs to be done warning farmers about fan speeds on their air seeders. “I think we’ve done a good job with pulse growers, warning them about fan speed, but we haven’t done a good job with some of these other crops,” said Brent Flaten, an agronomic crop […] Read more
