Farmers normally have a 24 to 48 hour window to get their pulse seed into the ground after inoculating it with nitrogen-fixing bacteria. Wait too long and the bacteria start to die off. But coating the inoculated seed with a polymer can extend the life of those bacteria up to 30 days, allowing growers to […] Read more
Production — page 93
Polymer coat extends rhizobia life
Keep heart of seed drill pumping
There’s no room for hot air when talking about air cart servicing, says Clint Rousell of CNH’s Flexi-Coil division in Saskatoon. Rousell, who trains mechanics and farmers about CNH air seeding equipment, said too little attention is paid to seeding equipment “unless it fails us loudly.” He told producers attending the Canola Council of Canada’s […] Read more
Seed canola early, but don’t be in rush
Getting canola in the ground in the first week to 10 days of May generally improves yield by between five and 12 percent over later seeded crops, says the Canola Council of Canada. Research trials conducted by the council show that 70 percent of the time, canola yields are highest when planted by the end […] Read more
New Products
Easy move auger Buhler Manufacturing has introduced its new 16104 Backsaver auger. The auger, with a 16 inch diameter and 104 foot tube, has been in development for nearly four years. The 16104 comes with standard equipment features most requested by farmers, including a swing away auger with a self-leveling hopper. Using the tractor hydraulics, […] Read more
Life after ammonium nitrate
The loss of ammonium nitrate should not be viewed as a major problem for winter wheat growers, says Cindy Grant, a researcher with Agriculture Canada in Brandon. She said there are two good alternatives: liquid UAN 28-0-0 and granular 46-0-0 with a urease inhibitor. Grant, who conducted 12 years of field research on urease inhibitors […] Read more
Folicur receives registration
Folicur has been accepted for registration in Canada, giving wheat growers improved access to a fungicide they use against leaf diseases in wheat. Folicur is the only product registered for protection against fusarium head blight. The fungicide has been available under emergency use registrations for the past seven years, but it is now accepted for […] Read more
Alta. drops surveys for West Nile virus
Alberta will no longer conduct extensive surveys regarding West Nile virus because of the low incidence of the disease in the province, said the province’s chief veterinarian. While West Nile virus is still a reportable disease in Alberta, the agriculture department won’t conduct its post-illness surveys, said Gerald Ollis. “What we have stopped is the […] Read more
Breakaway anhydrous couplers require close inspection
TRANSCONA, Man. – One heavy shot of anhydrous ammonia to the face can kill a guy, says Jim Ross, owner of Canadian Spectrum Equipment in Transcona. Ross’s company specializes in anhydrous ammonia equipment and he has been a certified technician for 38 years. In that time, he has inspected a lot of faulty equipment relating […] Read more
Seed quality needs testing for spring 2006
Good weather during seed development is critical to the full maturity of the crop, according to Sarah Foster of 20/20 Seed Labs in Saskatoon. However, the poor environmental conditions experienced last fall can harm its quality, longevity and early field emergence this spring. “Testing seed this year has been extremely challenging for germination and vigour. […] Read more
Auger reduces handling of seed, inoculant bags
BIGGAR, Sask. – Anyone who has hauled canola seed or granular inoculant bags up an air cart ladder understands the desire to find a better way. Some air seeder manufacturers have devised lifts and other systems, but Richard Elenko came up with his own solutions. “Most of these air seeder carts have either an eight-inch […] Read more
