Annual barley plantings in Western Canada continued their downward trend in 2017, slipping to roughly 5.44 million acres — the crop’s smallest seeded acreage in more than a decade. Nonetheless, there is cause for optimism, according to the head of the Canadian Malting Barley Technical Centre. Despite reduced acreage and relatively tight margins, global demand […] Read more
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Canada taps into Chinese barley demand
Global demand for top quality malting barley continues to grow
High-yielding canola farmer shares his secrets
He favours split nitrogen application and avoids fall application
BRANDON — If you’re willing to work for it, you can get huge canola yields, says a Saskatchewan farmer who averaged more than 70 bushels per acre in 2017. “The most yield potential (comes from) doing that extra work, that extra labour, that extra pass,” said Florian Hagmann, a Birch Hills farmer who spoke to farmers […] Read more
VIDEO: Parks receive failing grade in education
The former superintendent of Banff National Park says national, provincial and municipal parks protect nature to some extent but generally fail in the more important goal of educating and connecting people with the natural world around them. A park boundary is not a halo, said Kevin Van Tighem. “We’re doing parks wrong in many cases. […] Read more
VIDEO: Farmer advocates for gay rights, rural lifestyle
STEINBACH, Man. — Farming, singing and travel. Those are Chris Plett’s favourite things. And being a farmer, a singer and an airline employee is how Chris automatically describes himself. But the warm, affable man is defined by many other people in many other ways, and that’s just a reality he accepts about his situation. “The […] Read more
VIDEO: Crowd-funding helps greenhouse adopt hydroponics
BRUDERHEIM, Alta. — An Alberta ornamental plant greenhouse operator has received crowd funding of almost $30,000 to help diversify into vegetables. Nadine Stielow, owner of Thiel’s Greenhouses in Bruderheim, Alta., raised the money through the Alberta Treasury Branch’s BoostR program, a platform that encourages the public to fund ideas developed by local entrepreneurs. Stielow said […] Read more
VIDEO: Alberta ag minister focuses on innovation
Oneil Carlier talks about further tapping into food processing sector as well as new farm safety rules
Alberta Agriculture Minister Oneil Carlier sees greater use of green technologies and boosting the food processing sector as important factors in the future success of the agricultural sector. Carlier spoke with The Western Producer about his vision and what producers can expect in 2018, during a recent year-end interview. He said Alberta saw big investments […] Read more
VIDEO: Alberta family getting out of cattle
DONNELLY, Alta. — Frank Cote will miss his cattle once he sells the herd, but he finds solace in the change too. It maintains a long-held philosophy of moving in a direction that’s right for the family. For Cote, the sale means he can take it easier as he grows older. His feedlot isn’t large […] Read more
VIDEO: In-ground steel continues to evolve
FARGO, N.D. — Within the overall realm of cultivation and seed and fertilizer placement equipment, the in-ground working tool is the one singular component that continues to evolve rapidly. Every farm show seems to feature new soil-working steel. Money is a chief reason for the on-going focus on developing new soil-working tools. When dealing with […] Read more
VIDEO: Plant breeding charts future
CALGARY — Biotech pioneer Rob Fraley feels the biggest benefits to agriculture from genetic tools haven’t come from inserting genes or building custom chemical compounds to support plants, but in plant breeding. “And Canadian farmers have benefited greatly from this technology,” he said. The head of Monsanto’s global research program said the current success and […] Read more
VIDEO: Cereals Canada urges Canadian trade action against Italy
The top executive with Cereals Canada says it’s time for Ottawa to launch a formal trade challenge against Italy over its treatment of Canadian durum wheat. Cam Dahl, executive director with Cereals Canada, said Ottawa has raised concerns in Europe and Italy regarding an Italian policy that requires country-of-origin labels to be attached to pasta […] Read more
