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 moreTag Archives Sunflower
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
Manitoba growers wrap up corn, sunflower harvest
Even with last month’s winter weather, corn and sunflower producers in Manitoba had a strong finish to their 2023 growing season. Anastasia Kubinec harvested her corn and sunflowers with great yields this fall, and she was lucky enough to have her sunflowers off before the snow came. She said the warmer weather created some muddy […] Read more
Pooled resources benefit specialty crop research
The Diverse Field Crops Cluster works with camelina, carinata, canaryseed, flax, hemp, mustard, quinoa and sunflowers
After five years of research through a time that included a drought and a pandemic, the Diverse Field Crops Cluster has issued a report on its achievements. Carol Ann Patterson, DFCC project manager, said researchers showed their resourcefulness in keeping projects going despite health restrictions. “People were shut down for a year sometimes or with […] Read more
Sunflower acres expected to drop
It’s become a familiar story in Manitoba. If growers have a choice between soybeans and another crop, beans usually win out. Such is the case this spring with sunflowers. Soybeans will set another acreage record and sunflowers will possibly hit the second lowest level ever in the province. Statistics Canada has predicted 50,000 acres of […] Read more
Sunflower acres expected to drop
It’s become a familiar story in Manitoba. If growers have a choice between soybeans and another crop, beans usually win out. Such is the case this spring with sunflowers. Soybeans will set another acreage record and sunflowers will possibly hit the second lowest level ever in the province. Statistics Canada has predicted 50,000 acres of […] Read more
Sunflower industry hopes for recovery
Sunflowers are down but not out in Manitoba. Seeded area fell to 66,000 acres this year, one of the smallest plantings in the last decade. However, industry representatives are feeling hopeful about next year because more buyers are interested in Canadian sunflowers. “We’ve had a couple of new organizations get into the business,” said Troy […] Read more
Sunflower industry hopes for recovery in Manitoba
Sunflowers are down but not out in Manitoba. Seeded acreage fell to 66,000 this year, one of the smallest plantings in the last decade. However, industry representatives are feeling hopeful about next year because more buyers are interested in Canadian sunflowers. “We’ve have a couple of new organizations get into the business,” said Troy Turner, […] Read more
Markets are sunny for Manitoba’s sunflower crop
Planted acres have been declining over the past decade, while prices and yields have both pushed higher
Manitoba sunflower growers didn’t reap a bumper crop this year, but the industry is well positioned for growth because acres are on the rise and yields this fall were decent. Troy Turner, National Sunflower Association of Canada agronomist, said most producers were satisfied with the oilseed’s performance in 2015. “With (rain) and the humidity we […] Read more
Farmer proves sunflowers work in short growing season
LESLIEVILLE, Alta. — Roger Bott decided eight years ago that he wanted a challenge, so he set aside two acres of his mixed farm and grew sunflowers. Sunflowers in Alberta are not uncommon, but the idea seemed out of reach for someone living near Rocky Mountain House with its short growing season. “Somebody said you […] Read more
