WINNIPEG — It’s possible to make more money from oats by reducing fertilizer rates, says research done at four sites in Saskatchewan. However, like most things in farming, a lot depends on the weather. Less nitrogen equalled more profits in trials done in 2023 because it was a dry growing season. “When you are reducing […] Read more
Canola yields fizzle
WINNIPEG — Like most farmers, David Altrogge likes to talk about yield. Altrogge has spoken to multiple growers this fall in northeastern Saskatchewan and he’s learned that most producers were disappointed by their canola yields. In a good year, farmers in the region around Melfort and Humboldt would post yields higher than 50 bushels per […] Read more
Man. crop almost harvested
Harvest operations across Manitoba are nearly complete, with only sunflowers and corn left to come off the fields, according to the latest provincial crop report for the week ended Oct. 22. The total harvest hit 95 per cent complete, with the majority of fall field work also finished. Of the major crops, an estimated one […] Read more
Sustainability program for soybeans expands
Industry says Sustainable Canadian Soy program creates value for farmers and encourages exporters to work together
Interest in the Sustainable Canadian Soy program has nearly tripled since its launch last year, and the international customers who were asking for the program are happy with the results. “This is a great success story for our industry. The complete value chain came together to seize an opportunity to enhance value for growers, exporters […] Read more
U.S. research could protect sunflowers from blackbirds
A study that tracked the birds’ behaviour during critical feeding times could help farmers develop effective strategies
Sunflower growers who grapple with crop losses from blackbirds might find help through new data. Research from the University of North Dakota used weather surveillance radar to track red-winged blackbird behaviour during critical feeding times, which could help farmers develop effective strategies to protect their harvests. The research comes from a long-term project at the […] Read moreRolling budgets, storage costs can help farm decisions
One-and-done crop budgeting leaves room for profit to fall through the cracks; also, remember that storing grain is not free
Effective grain storage strategies and budgeting in the year to come will be crucial to maximize profitability, says Darren Bond, a farm management specialist with Manitoba Agriculture. Speaking in the final Crop Talk webinar hosted by the province this year, Bond urged farmers to regularly update crop budgets throughout the season and understand the cost […] Read more
Homegrown sunflower genetics out for tender
Man. Crop Alliance courts seed companies for the first hybrids to come out of its confection sunflower breeding program
The Manitoba Crop Alliance’s confection sunflower breeding program has yielded its first registered hybrids. The hybrids, MCA-359239 and MCA-359306, have been officially registered with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency. On Oct. 15, the alliance put licences for the varieties out to tender. “This is a made-in-Manitoba success story and it’s an exciting time for our […] Read more
Canada’s war brides are the world war’s happy ending
During the first and second world wars, many Canadian servicemen fell in love and married British and European women. These women came to be known as “war brides.” It is estimated that 25,000 Canadian servicemen married British women during the First World War and an estimated 48,000 women married Canadian servicemen during or following the […] Read more
Weather called biggest ‘yield robber’ this year
Too much rain and heat on many parts of the Prairies caught canola at vulnerable stages, reducing yields
The biggest “yield robber” of canola on the Prairies turned out to be the weather, says an authority on the subject. Although periodic heavy rainfall compounded the emergence of diseases and predatory insects, disagreeable weather caused considerable damage all on its own. Both the western and eastern Prairies received extreme weather that weakened canola production […] Read more
U.S. says agriculture trade opens case by case
U.S. agriculture secretary Tom Vilsack believes his country is making progress as more dairy products move into Canada
The United States still isn’t thrilled about how Canada distributes its dairy market share, but Tom Vilsack, U.S. secretary of agriculture, said progress has been made in sending more U.S. dairy products to Canada. “Last year was a record for exports to Canada of dairy products,” he said during the Global Dairy Summit at the […] Read more
