NISKU, Alta. – Before cultivated grain crops arrived on the Prairies, the insect now known as the wheat stem sawfly was at home living in large-stem native grasses. The larvae lived in the stem of the host plant, but never caused enough damage to seriously harm the overall plant population. The fly’s numbers were kept […] Read more
Production — page 82
Swat that sawfly
Fabricating equipment adds versatility
LAKE ALMA, Sask. – Like most farmers, Wayne Hagen has a shop in his yard for fixing and building things. Unlike many shops however, many of Hagen’s tools are homemade. Hagen runs a fabrication and manufacturing sideline on his farm and ranch near Lake Alma. The first machine he designed and built was a four […] Read more
Plan ahead before converting to forages
An increasing number of Saskatchewan farmers are looking at converting crop land to pasture or forage. Crops such as alfalfa, timothy, brome and grasses generate a lot of interest. But according to Andre Bonneau, a forage conversion specialist with Saskatchewan Agriculture, there’s one ingredient that producers can’t overlook in their efforts. That’s planning. “Generally we […] Read more
Twin Wing separates seed, fertilizer
Since the early 1990s, most producers have been gradually moving toward wider row spacing. Farmers have come to recognize the advantages of lower machine investment, less soil disturbance, plus the savings on diesel with the reduced power requirements. But lately, wheat stem sawfly has altered those plans. Producers who had grown comfortable with having their […] Read more
Twin cultivator fin does weeds in
MINTON, Sask. – Weed control with tillage can be a hit and miss proposition. When field crop acres are organic, poor weed control can spell big trouble. Ken Tatarliov started the conversion to organic on his farm near Minton in 1990 and was certified in 1994. “We had spent some time getting experience on how […] Read more
Device controls plant populations
SASKATOON – Precise plant density is an agronomic factor still beyond the control of small grain and oilseed farmers. Corn growers in the United States mastered it decades ago, but for the rest of the farming community, it remains a problem. Producers can do everything exactly according to recommendations and still end up with erratic […] Read more
New Products
New sprayers New Holland’s new SF210 and SF216 sprayers are available in suspended-boom or wheeled-boom configurations. The SF210 has a 1,000-gallon capacity and the SF216 has a 1,600-gallon capacity. Suspended booms are 80, 90, 100, 120 and 134 feet. They feature high-clearance suspension with parallel tanks designed for stability and accuracy. A joystick provides in-cab […] Read more
Temporary trenches save crops
FARGO, N.D. – Crop kill from summer flooding can suddenly occur. On any given afternoon, a sudden, severe storm can dump 100 millimetres of rain on a crop that held promise just a few hours earlier. Steve Raguse is all too familiar with the problem. The Wheaton, Minnesota, farmer has seen his share of good-looking […] Read more
New Products
New Holland flex header New Holland’s new 74C flex header fits both the CR9000 Series twin rotor combines and the CX8000 Series super conventional combines. The 74C flexible auger cutter bar header is available in three cutting widths, up to 35 feet. Each is equipped with a twin-knife drive. The header offers a choice of […] Read more
Quick Hitch makes hookups a breeze
MELVILLE, Sask. – Like most farmers, Allen Schwitzer finds hooking implements to his tractor a hassle. “We were tired of getting in and out of the tractor all the time, trying to hook up and unhook. Hooking up isn’t as bad as unhooking because you can always put the pin in, but you can’t seem […] Read more
