There have been significant shufflings and a few surprises since Manitoba Agriculture brought out the first draft of its 2014 cost of production spread sheet in January. The final version, which was just released, is more accurate than the first draft but does not paint a pretty picture for producers, says spread sheet engineer Roy […] Read more
Tag Archives Agronomy
Try this with a truck-mounted soil probe
The Arkansas-built AutoProbe typically bags one section of soil samples in a normal working day. On a really good day, AutoProbe samples two sections. But these are not random samplings with a core here and a core there. The AutoProbe pulls up to 40 cores per sample for each 2.5 acre grid square, at a […] Read more
Poor crop performance can be linked to phosphorus, potassium deficiencies
The forgotten nutrient | Researchers say farmers need to keep an eye on phosphate levels before deficiencies develop
Terry Buss knows what to expect when his office phone rings in late July. Buss, a Manitoba Agriculture farm production adviser in Beausejour, says soybean growers often call him in the third and fourth weeks of July because their crop is looking peculiar. More often than not, the problem is potassium and phosphorus deficiencies in […] Read more
Burn, bale or smash to fight resistance
57 percent weed reduction | With herbicide resistant weeds on the rise, interest in mechanical weed seed removal grows
EDMONTON, Alta. — Herbicide resistant weeds were an issue for Australian farmers long before they became a serious problem for Canadian growers. Michael Walsh, a professor and researcher with the University of Western Australia, has just completed more than 10 years of research into the value of mechanical weed seed removal in combination with herbicide […] Read more
Poly cup flighting gives tender seeds more TLC
The ability to auger seed at the same rate as a rubber belt conveyor but with 4.4 percent less seed damage might catch farmers’ attention. Researchers at Ohio State University recently moved soybean seed through a six-inch auger with poly cupped flighting, and ended up with a germination rate of 86 percent. A rubber paddled […] Read more
Shorter canola rotations said OK
Canola council changes policy | Researchers worry the new recommendations will lead to future troubles
There has been a seismic shift in agronomic philosophy at the Canola Council of Canada. A group that once preached sticking to longer rotations now suggests that growing canola once every two years might not be a bad idea. “Our best wisdom is changing, and growers are leading the way,” the council said in a […] Read more
Scout canola now for sclerotinia
Spraying is advised if yield potential is 35 bushels per acre or more
Conditions across the West are ideal for the development of scler-otinia, which can reduce canola yield by 50 percent or more if left un-checked. Dense canola stands across the Prairies, frequent rains and moist, humid conditions in the crop canopy have combined to make an ideal environment for sclerotinia infection. Clint Jurke, agronomy specialist with […] Read more
New biological agent a first in Canada
Biological partners | Inoculants co-operate with natural soil microflora instead of competing for supremacy
Two new liquid rhizobial inoculants, the first of their kind to be registered in Canada, are available for soybeans, peas and lentils. Developed by the Winnipeg bioresearch company XiteBio Technologies, these inoculants differ from conventional products in the way they form co-operative, synergetic partnerships with background rhizobia that have inhabited the soil for millions of […] Read more
Trials show early spraying boosts canola yields
Early weed control in canola results in yield advantages at no extra cost to producers. Canola Council of Canada agronomist Kristen Phillips said canola typically emerges within seven to 10 days and gains a leaf every five to seven days. “Spraying before that two-to-three-leaf stage gives you the biggest yield benefit,” she said. “Once you […] Read more
Are Clearfield canola’s struggles over?
Market share | After experiencing up-and-down popularity, can the new Clearfield hybrids regain lost acres?
One horse has fallen way behind in what used to be a three-horse race in the herbicide tolerant canola business. Growers have rejected Clearfield canola in favour of the Roundup Ready and Liberty Link systems but the developer of Clearfield said better times are ahead. “What we’re seeing in the marketplace is some trends and […] Read more
