The planned expansion of canola crushing capacity in Saskatchewan is nothing short of amazing and will have wide-reaching ramifications. Here’s a recap of recent announcements. Ceres Global is planning a 1.1 million tonne facility near Northgate along the United States border. Cargill has plans for a one million tonne crush plant in Regina. Meanwhile, Viterra […] Read more
Tag Archives Hursh on Ag
Herbicide use can be needlessly complicated
Herbicide use is more complicated than it needs to be. The trouble starts with units of measure and extends through to recommended practices. Once you’ve chosen an in-crop herbicide, the most basic question is how many acres per jug or per litre. All too often, it’s difficult to find the answer. Yes, rates vary for […] Read more
Boom times bring with them unique challenges
Economically, the grain sector has rarely been more buoyant and optimistic. Grain prices have surged and drought worries have been reduced by the recent widespread rains. This comes as grain sector income levels were already showing significant increases. It’s the best of times, but that comes with ramifications. The most recent data on land prices […] Read more
Improved varieties would reduce herbicide waste
Here are some random ideas for cutting waste, cutting costs and thereby reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Alfalfa is a great forage crop, but as a grain producer who collaborates with cattle producing neighbours, I see it as a difficult-to-control weed. While this deep-rooted perennial will sometimes be killed over winter, trying to kill it with […] Read more
All eyes locked on the sky as dryness persists
Over the years, I’ve written many columns about moisture concerns and how the lack of rain was going to result in a below average crop either regionally, provincially or across Western Canada. Often I’ve been proven wrong. Rain has arrived and yields have been much better than expected. That makes me hesitant to sound alarm […] Read more
Variety of factors complicate seeding these days
Every year, the rush to spring seeding has new wrinkles and complications. That’s certainly the case with the 2021 seeding season just weeks away. With plant breeders’ rights protection increasingly prevalent, accessing new varieties isn’t as simple or as inexpensive as it used to be. As for cleaning farm-saved seed, there are many proficient seed […] Read more
Resources available for production economics
For some inexplicable reason, provincial agriculture departments have a tendency to bury some of their best work deep within their websites where it’s less likely to be discovered. With the amount of time and effort going into some of these reports, there should be more promotion and better website placement. Without a Crop Production Show […] Read more
Government support for farmers seldom simple
Increase AgriStability support to 85 from 70 percent of the reference margin and compensate producers for the carbon tax expense on grain drying. Farmer and farm group seem to have galvanized around these two requests, but neither are as simple or effective as they seem. Producers are justifiably upset over a carbon tax that applies […] Read more
Have you ever considered an equity partner?
Want to expand your farm for the next generation? Want to buy out some of your landlords? Want to work your way out of a difficult financial situation? A Canadian company called Area One Farms partners with producers to meet these sorts of objectives. The company has relied on word-of-mouth advertising and even though it […] Read more
Farming without glyphosate forms future
Our heavy reliance on glyphosate is going to change. Exactly how this is going to play out is anyone’s guess, but with the tidal wave of lawsuits alleging cancer from Roundup herbicide the status quo is not sustainable. When the first lawsuits were launched in the United States, many observers expected them to be defeated. […] Read more
