Widespread blackleg is reducing yields in south-central Manitoba and making producers rethink their crop choices
DAUPHIN, Man. — Farmers in south-central Manitoba are backing away from canola because blackleg is curbing yields and cutting into profits. Canola yields of 45, 50 or 55 bushels per acre have become normal in many parts of the Prairies, but growers in pockets of southern Manitoba are struggling to achieve those targets. “They’ve moved […] Read moreTag Archives Agronomy
Disease avoidance important factor in seeding plans
Lots of farmers don’t want to grow durum this summer. Few blame them, considering the hit they took last fall when they discovered that their crops were badly damaged by fusarium. However, can farmers in southwestern Saskatchewan and other durum-growing pockets really switch many acres into other crops? “There’s definitely that rumour,” said Brandon Motz […] Read more
Whistle blown on canola danger
One of canola’s fathers thinks farmers might need to force their neighbours to stop over-growing canola. And a leading canola developer thinks canola’s future could be grim if endemic problems aren’t controlled. “If we abuse it, we’re going to lose it,” Garth Hodges, Bayer CropScience vice-president of marketing and business development, told the Canola Council […] Read more
Soybeans attracting attention in Alberta
Lethbridge-based Agriculture Canada researchers are stepping up their interest in soybeans as the crop’s popularity grows in Alberta. Frank Larney and other scientists are examining row spacing, plant densities and nitrogen benefits that soybeans offer to the subsequent crop. However, they have only one year of data from two sites and further research continues. Early […] Read more
Weather data can provide valuable farm advice
Hindsight has its benefits, but foresight, when it comes to weather and crops, would be even better for farmers. That’s hard to come by, said Dan Heaney of Farmers Edge, but existing weather data does have plenty of information on probability, and that can pay off. He told those at Agronomy Update in Lethbridge Jan. […] Read more
Pulse industry eager to expand acres in Alberta
Three million acres of pulse crops grown annually in Alberta is a goal well within reach, says an Alberta Agriculture pulse crop specialist. Mark Olson believes growers are already 75 percent of the way there, based on the 2.4 million acres planted to beans, peas, lentils and fababeans in the province in 2016. “I’m confident […] Read more
Interest surges in cover crops
It’s become difficult to avoid cover crops. The crops, which improve soil health, help boost the yields of subsequent cash crops or provide forage for livestock, are constantly in the agricultural media, and many farm conferences have them on the agenda. Many farmers remain skeptical of the hype, but the innovation has become a normal […] Read more
Change is in the air for food sustainability
There are many innovative products and services available to Canadian crop producers that could help improve sustainability. However, the global food sector is struggling to find ways to reward growers who adapt sustainable technologies and techniques. Big food companies have made public commitments to source ingredients that are better for the environment, and more opportunities […] Read more
When canola gets to 100 bushels
Of the eighty farmers that participated in the first year of Agri-Trend’s Canola 100 Challenge, 16 decided to pay the $1,000 fee to have their crop verified. “Mother Nature took over and we won’t get the last four or so verified because they are buried underneath snow and rain, but we do have a list […] Read more
Ont. crops rebound, but climate change weighs on minds
CHATHAM, Ont. — Farmers in the Great Lakes Basin may no longer be able count on stable weather patterns, according to an agronomist with AGRIS Cooperative. “We used to try to predict the future from the past and now our future is looking to be nothing like the past. We’re working on a blank piece […] Read more
