BRANDON – Carrying feed pails to cattle has always been a pain in the back, whether it’s 30 above, 30 below or in between. Lawrence Delichte knows this from personal experience, having used the traditional pail method for many years. “We had too many cattle and too many pails to carry,” said Delichte from St. […] Read more
Production
Big bucket gives back a break
Slow release urea study examines yield, protein
LETHBRIDGE – The decision to stop manufacturing ammonium nitrate in 2006 partially because of its link to bomb making prompted fertilizer companies to develop new products to replace it. One product, a slow release, polymer coated urea produced by Agrium, is called ESN. Researchers have been working with ESN for a few years, trying to […] Read more
Early bird on field gets the yield
LETHBRIDGE – Spreading the workload is a big issue on prairie farms as producers try to find enough time for field preparation and seeding in the spring. Rob Dunn, a conservation cropping specialist with Alberta Agriculture in Lethbridge, says earlier seeding dates can help solve the problem. He said farmers in southern Alberta probably have […] Read more
Seeding rate can boost crop competitiveness
LETHBRIDGE – Seeding rates can have a dramatic effect on the success of cereal crops grown in Western Canada. At the Agronomy Update conference held earlier this year in Lethbridge, Brian Beres presented research results from his own studies as well as related study results from other researchers. Beres, a research scientist with Agriculture Canada […] Read more
Pulse, canola growers get pre-seed herbicide
A new herbicide combination may control volunteer herbicide-tolerant canola plants without the risk of carryover that 2,4-D or other burn down products carry. Marketed by Nufarm, CleanStart combines glyphosate with carfentrazone for pre-seed burn down with no residual effects and no cropping restrictions. Producers generally grow pulses with limited crop protection products. Broadleaf weed control […] Read more
Input self-sufficiency nears reality
WINNIPEG – Fossil fuel energy to power machinery and produce nitrogen fertilizer has been gobbling up an ever-larger slice of the profit pie since the petroleum crisis of the 1970s. An alternative that’s receiving more attention lately is the closed loop system that sees farmers producing more of their own inputs on the farm rather […] Read more
Welders need right stick electrode
Stick welding can be difficult to master. It begins with selecting the correct electrode for each job. Stick electrodes are available in many types, each of which provides different mechanical properties and operates with a type of welding power source. When selecting a stick electrode, farmers must consider base metal type, joint fit and welding […] Read more
New Products
TwinFan nozzles The new TurboDrop TwinFan (TDTF) and AirMix TwinFan (AMTF) nozzles, designed specifically for penetrating the soybean canopy and providing improved coverage for rust fungicides, have proven effective for aphid insecticide applications, as well. Creating a proper droplet size is critical for penetration and coverage with contact chemicals. The TDTF creates a 200 to […] Read more
Timing plays critical role when applying nitrogen
LETHBRIDGE – The high cost of nitrogen fertilizer makes it more important for producers to know their crops’ growth cycles and when nitrogen is most needed. Ross McKenzie told the recent Agronomy Update in Lethbridge that it’s important to understand the relationship between nitrogen and crop production before finalizing cropping decisions. “Crops take up a […] Read more
Treatments boost safe level for seed row nitrogen
LETHBRIDGE – Grain farmers are restricted in the amount of seed row nitrogen they can apply without damaging germination and thinning plant stands. However, with the loss of ammonium nitrate, fertilizer companies have started introducing new technologies to slow the release of nitrogen. One aspect of these products is that more nitrogen can be applied […] Read more
