Are spider mites poised to infest your soybean fields? With drought conditions persisting across Ontario, Huron Commodities agronomist Wayne Wheeler says “it’s not a case of whether spider mites will show up, but when.” In this episode of Real Agriculture Soybean School, Wheeler explains that one of the major attractions for spider mites are well-groomed… Read More
Month: July 2016
Last January, camelina, a drought-tolerant oilseed high in protein and omega-3 fatty acids, was approved as a feed ingredient for broiler chickens. Now, work is underway to see the approval for inclusion in laying hen rations and dairy animal diets. Camelina Approved for Broiler Chicken Feed “Can you imagine a day when all our eggs… Read More
Changes to wheat classes in Western Canada are just around the corner. Two classes will be created, while three others will be dropped, on August 1, 2016. Murdoch MacKay, commissioner with the Canadian Grain Commission, joins us for this episode of the Wheat School to discuss the changes and why they’re being made. As he… Read More
When you see two tillers growing out of a corn root you may suspect the wannabe plants are stealing nutrients from the main stalk, along with yield potential. But that’s not the case, explains Pride Seeds’ market agronomist Aaron Stevanus on this episode of Real Agriculture Corn School. “Tillers are actually a good thing. It… Read More
The word “biosecurity” can conjure up some interesting images, not limited to an overabundance of showers, hard-drives of paperwork and hazmat suits. But, ensuring good levels of on-farm biosecurity doesn’t have to be overwhelming. “There’s been so much focus on biosecurity as a word,” says Franklyn Garry, professor at Colorado State University, “that it does, it… Read More
GrainsConnect Canada held a sod-turning for its first high-throughput grain terminal in Western Canada on Tuesday. The elevator will be built on CN Rail’s Prairie North line at Maymont, Saskatchewan, 90 kilometres northwest of Saskatoon. “This is a significant milestone for GrainsConnect Canada as it represents the first stage of our substantial investment in Canadian… Read More
We can expect salad dressing to someday provide some of the same health benefits as fish, adding value to canola as a food ingredient and addressing marine sustainability concerns. Scientists with Dow AgroSciences say they’ve figured out a new way to produce canola oil rich in DHA and EPA — the omega-3 fatty acids found in fish oil associated with heart… Read More
Disc drill or hoe drill? Does it have to be an ‘or’ question? Since 2008, Pillar Lasers Inc., based at Warman, Saskatchewan, has been making hybrid disc/hoe openers that are designed to give the grower the best of both worlds. As Pillar’s Mike Friesen explains in this video filmed at Canada’s Farm Progress Show in… Read More
If the world of soil biology had its own version of Facebook, crops like peas, lentils, corn and flax would be listed as “in a symbiotic relationship” with mycorrhizal fungi. The microscopic organisms help these crops access phosphorus in the soil. Wheat would probably be friends with mycorrhiza, as cereals see some benefit from having… Read More
One for the “not-so-bright criminals” list… Alberta RCMP say an online tractor ad led them to three suspects and the stolen property a day after the police investigated a break and enter at a Stettler-area equipment dealership. Police initiated the investigation into the theft of a tractor worth approximately $25,000 on July 4. After discovering the… Read More
Ketosis, a negative energy balance problem, dogs dairy producers almost everywhere. It affects up to 40 per cent of dairy cows in Canada, and can lead to reduced milk yield, impaired reproduction, weight loss and fever. As well, it puts affected cows at increased risk of developing other health conditions, such as metritis and mastitis…. Read More
It’s a diagnosis no cattle producer wants to hear, and it’s likely much more prevalent than we realize. Caused by Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP), Johne’s causes chronic enteritis (inflammation of the intestine), diarrhea and progressive weight loss in cattle. Despite the seemingly obvious symptoms in infected animals, the disease has characteristics that can make it difficult… Read More
There are many potential stressors for cattle during transport, as Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s Karen Schwartzkopf-Genswein pointed out at the recent Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association conference and annual general meeting. Animals have to contend with handling (often by unfamiliar people), a unique environment, mixing with new animals, feed and water restrictions and the energy/focus required to remain on… Read More
SeedMaster is bringing some of its seeding technology to the application of granular herbicides and fertilizer. The Emerald Park, Saskatchewan-based company debuted its 70′ Nova Flex granular applicator bar at Canada’s Farm Progress Show ’16 in Regina. As research manager Owen Kinch explains in this video, the unit connects to SeedMaster’s Nova cart, either tow behind or… Read More
Dry conditions at seeding followed by plenty of rain left some canola growers in Western Canada wondering if their canola had enough nitrogen to reach its yield potential. As a result, there was increased interest in top-dressing N on canola this growing season. As Jack Payne, regional agronomist with Farmers Edge, explains in this Canola… Read More