Two-to-three leaf stage ideal | Spraying glyphosate on Roundup Ready varieties after the six-leaf stage can reduce 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 moreTag Archives Agronomy
Trials show early spraying boosts canola yields
Eyes in the skies better than feet in the field
The science of crop scouting is reaching new heights, with remote control helicopters flying at altitudes from 10 feet to 100 feet. Although battery powered RC fixed wing planes are gradually gaining acceptance by crop consultants, these aircraft require speed to stay in the air. They can’t slow down or stop and hover to focus […] Read more
Farmers urged to guard against Swede midge
Control and research | Sask. producers should closely monitor their canola fields as application thresholds rise with prices
Swede midge has been known in Saskatchewan for several years but made its first attack on producers’ bottom lines last year, says Scott Hartley of Saskatchewan Agriculture. The insect was first identified in 2007 in the province’s northeast but didn’t cause economic damage until last year, when the pest, from the same family as wheat […] Read more
U.S. scientist rejects anti-glyphosate claims
Different views | Iowa State University professor challenges findings that link glyphosate to diseases
It’s safe to say that Don Huber, a retired plant pathologist from Purdue University, is popular among activists who believe genetically modified crops and glyphosate poison plants and humans. For years, Huber has waged a war against glyphosate, claiming the world’s most popular herbicide increases the likelihood of plant diseases, eradicates beneficial organisms in the […] Read more
Tubers tested for ability to tap nutrients, aerate soil
Deep tap roots increase available nutrients for next year
MEDICINE HAT, Alta. — Scott Lehr is trying to solve a soil compaction problem. He’s experimenting with tillage radishes to see if that problem can be solved without dragging out the iron. Lehr, who farms north of Medicine Hat, planted 300 acres of tillage radishes this year along with winter wheat and triticale. “Because we’re […] Read more
Crops’ potential in your hands
Greenseeker | NDVI scanning goes handheld to help producers make decisions on the go
WOODSTOCK, Ont. — Green-seeker’s machinery-mounted crop analysis system has been released in a handheld version. The new tool puts normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) referencing in the palm of a producer’s or agronomist’s hand. Portable meters have been available to measure plant vigour, vegetative cover and chlorophyll levels by recording the amount of near infrared […] Read more
RR canola and RR soybeans can be compatible
How does a farmer grow Roundup Ready canola in rotation with a higher value Roundup Ready soybean crop? It’s a challenge many producers are facing in light of the improved economics and expansion of soybeans on the Prairies. But it’s a problem growers are solving, said Monsanto’s weed management technical lead Sean Dilk. “Growers want […] Read more
Perennial sunflowers?
Developing commercially viable oilseed Researcher looks to develop high yielding, disease resistant perennial grain crop sunflowers
CARMAN, Man. — A commercially viable perennial sunflower crop may eventually become a reality but not for 15 to 20 years. Sean Asselin, a University of Manitoba masters student, told a recent tour of the U of M research farm near Carman that his native sunflower project has a two-pronged approach. He is looking for […] Read more
Researcher looks to beetle in fight against leafy spurge
Usually, an empty pizza box on an office desk indicates an employee just finished a hasty lunch. But in the case of Bev Dunlop, a range management specialist with Agriculture Canada in Brandon, the white pizza box on her work desk is a crucial piece of office equipment. On a Wednesday afternoon in early July, […] Read more
Saskatchewan groups make bug collecting a priority
This summer has been a banner year for the distribution of leafy spurge beetles in Saskatchewan, as more than 400,000 beetles were dispersed on pastures and parks with spurge infestations. There are two sites in the province where agencies and landowners can collect beetles — one south of Weyburn and another west of Moose Jaw, […] Read more
