By the time a new variety becomes available to farmers, it’s been through up to 10 years of trials and the registration system for three years
LANGHAM, Sask. — It’s become commonplace to buy things that aren’t complete right out of the box. There’s probably no better example of this than the software industry, where products are often released to customers and released again when the “bugs” have been removed. Todd Hyra can’t speak for the entire grain industry, but as […] Read moreWP100 Research
Seed growers prove new varieties
Melting permafrost threatens agriculture in the Yukon
Senator Pat Duncan has championed farming in the territory, arguing the sector has improved food self-sufficiency
WHITEHORSE — Senator Pat Duncan was on the Senate agriculture committee for only a short time but made sure she used it to put the Yukon on the agenda. The committee was studying soils at the time and released its report, Critical Ground, in June. “My contribution there was ensuring that there was an awareness […] Read more
Agriculture community invited to ‘talk it out’ about mental health via free online platform
Agriculture community invited to ‘talk it out’ about mental health via free online platform Farmers and other folks working in agriculture are invited to ‘talk it out’ about mental health via a free, online support platform from the Do More Agriculture Foundation (Do More Ag). “None of us have to be alone with our thoughts. […] Read more
Science still not sure how tornadoes form
There are four main theories for how tornadoes are formed: The first two are tied together because they both involve super-cell thunderstorms. Thunderstorms are fuelled by warm, moist air near the surface and colder air aloft. What makes a super-cell thunderstorm different from a regular thunderstorm is the ability for the storm to sustain a […] Read more
Heat takes toll on crops
SASKATOON — A prolonged hot and dry spell has withered notions of a Prairie-wide bumper crop. Brian Allison, who runs a mixed farming operation near Red Deer, Alta., said the growing season started out full of promise. His farm received more than 89 millimetres of rain in May. “We had really good moisture for germination,” […] Read more
Moisture welcome, but some areas receive too much
A western Sask., farmer says a moisture probe in one of his canola fields has indicated saturation every day since June 2
REGINA — The 2024 growing season for many Prairie farmers is characterized by the old saying, it never rains but it pours. Most of Manitoba has received far beyond 100 per cent of normal rainfall, leading to unseeded acres and flooded crops. Saskatchewan’s most recent crop report highlighted crop flooding in low lying areas and […] Read moreLong-range weather forecasts prove unreliable
Why do we do it? Why do we listen to all the long-range weather forecasts over the winter that try to predict what the growing season will be like, when year after year they prove themselves to be largely useless? In 2021, the Prairies had an epic drought and this year has seen an abnormally […] Read more
Agco unveils Outrun autonomy kit
In a windy field near Salina, Kansas, Agco unveiled its prototype retrofit autonomy kit for tractors in late June. The system, called Outrun, is in keeping with Agco’s strategy of making its retrofit technologies compatible with multiple brands. The kit has been engineered to work on a John Deere 8R tractor as well as select […] Read more
Farmers spend money on hail coverage this year
Customers take out an average of $230 per acre and do it earlier than normal, a trend seen since ‘hectic’ 2021’ season SASKATOON — Farmers have been active buyers of hail insurance the past three years, says an industry official.Interest in the product jumped after a “pretty hectic” 2021 hail season when there was plenty […] Read more
Plan for drought while rainfall plentiful
The best way to weather a drought is to be ready when it comes. Preparation is needed before the rains stop, says Joe Harrington, irrigation specialist with Alberta Agriculture and Irrigation. “Over the years, I’ve been through several of these dry cycles. We’ve had a funding program since the drought of 2001,” he said during […] Read more
