LOUISVILLE, Kentucky – Research indicates that willow has the best biomass potential for Canadian climates. It has potential for an annual average of 4.16 to 8.3 tonnes dry matter (DM) per acre in a three-year cutting rotation. According to agricultural engineers at Laval University in Quebec, producers require the right harvest equipment to reach that […] Read more
Production
Willow best biomass bet, but harvester still a hurdle
Wireworm appetite takes heavy toll
Wireworms could be a significant problem this spring – partly because of population increases and partly because of economics. The immature click beetles are attracted to carbon dioxide produced by seedling germination. In the past, producers often controlled the insects only on cereal grain and perennial grass, but the prairie grain wireworm is now known […] Read more
On the wireworm trail
Bob Vernon is tracking the not-so-elusive wireworm. The Agriculture Canada entomologist and researcher from Agassiz, B.C., has started a national survey of the crop pest. “We’re trying to find something that kills wireworm,” said Vernon. He said available insecticides only stun wireworms until the crop has a chance to advance. Lindane, which was banned in […] Read more
Crop rotation key to increasing grain’s nutrient content – Organic Matters
A long-term study at the University of Manitoba is adding more weight to the theory that crop rotations in organic agriculture can affect nutrient content in grain. Martin Entz, Soleil Turmel and Keith Bamford of the university’s plant science department compared the concentration of 10 mineral nutrients in wheat grown organically and conventionally in two […] Read more
Spring maintenance key to good performance
Your tractor was in storage all winter and now that spring has arrived, you’re ready to take it into the field. Before you do, check a few things to avoid breakdowns and ensure your tractor performs to expectations. Before you start the tractor, check the fuel. If it is more than three months old, drain […] Read more
Poplars provide energy, carbon credits
ST. CLEMENTS, Man. – Pete and Irene de Graaf planted their entire century farm to poplar and willow trees in June 2005. Some are already 15 feet tall. “My dad spent his youth, 20 years, clearing this land by hand and horse,” says Irene. “If he saw me putting it all back into trees, I’m […] Read more
Money trees compete with canola
Consider an annual return of roughly $60 to $80 per acre on a tree crop planted only once every 15 to 20 years. Forest 2020 co-ordinator Derek Sidders understands the deGraafs’ frustration waiting for a financial return on their three-year old tree crop. “The only thing I can say today (April 24) is to be […] Read more
Alfalfa out, annual crops in
Shifting from alfalfa to a spring seeded annual requires careful management and some rain. “Replacing alfalfa with a spring crop using spray and direct seeding? It’s the only call I get these days,” said Calvin Yoder, an Alberta provincial forage specialist talking about spring inquiries from farmers. Yoder said the low price of cattle and […] Read more
New Products
Welder generator Miller Electric has increased the output of its Bobcat 250 and Trailblazer 302 Kohler gas-powered and Kubota diesel-powered welder generators. The reconfigured machines now offer an Accu-Rated 11,000 watts of useable peak power, which enables the units to better handle sudden electrical loads. Accu-Rate is Miller’s guarantee that the welder-generator will provide the […] Read more
Soil sampling goes to the robots
Farmers, engineers and soil labs have been trying to take the drudgery out of soil sampling for decades. A new machine might be just what they’ve been looking for. Introduced this winter by the AgRobotics company in Arkansas, AutoProbe is an automated robotic soil sampling machine that penetrates six inches into the soil to pull […] Read more
