If you are looking for a simple design combined with precision and accuracy in a planter, the new Maschio Chrono 924 may be what you are looking for. The accuracy the company boasts has to do with a vacuum that singulates the seed, with an air compressor for adjustable airflow. Alessandro Cazzin, of Maschio Gaspardo,… Read More
Author: Kara Oosterhuis
Kara Oosterhuis is a Field Editor for RealAgriculture, covering all things agronomy in Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba. She grew up on a mixed irrigation and dryland farm northeast of Bow Island, Alta. Kara has always had a love for agriculture and a desire for telling stories - so she figured she may as well choose a career that lets her do both. You can find her on twitter at
Kinze Manufacturing featured it’s high-speed planting technology at the 2022 Farm Progress Show at Boone, Iowa, including the newest model, the True Speed Planter, which debuted this past spring. On display at the Farm Progress Show at Boone, Iowa, the planter hopes to grab the attention of farmers for the upcoming growing season. Eric Broadbent,… Read More
Boron is one of the essential micronutrients needed to grow a high-yielding crop of canola. When looked at in the plant and how it is used, boron doesn’t move about all that quickly. As Erika Dowling, technical sales manager with Mosaic Company, explains in this Soil School episode, due to the slow mobility of boron… Read More
There’s no doubt that nitrogen prices have seen a steep price increase again as of late. Most of this momentum is being propelled by the current state of the natural gas market. Sam Taylor, farm input analyst with Rabo AgriFinance, says North American natural gas prices are the highest they’ve been since about 2008. “What… Read More
The next generation of leaders were at the Canadian Beef Industry Conference (CBIC) this year as a part of the Cattlemen’s Young Leaders (CYL) Mentorship Program, provided by the Canadian Cattle Association (CCA). Young producers — between the ages of 18 and 35 — are provided with industry-specific training, with a highlight in whatever interest… Read More
Olds College has been working on a multi-year project on in-bin drying, which was on display at AgSmart at Olds, Alta. The technology, developed by Top Grade Ag, at Calgary, Alta., uses a proprietary algorithm with pressure, temperature, and humidity sensors to optimize the grain drying process. Daniel Stefner of Olds College says the system… Read More
In 2020, the Canadian Beef Advisors (CBA) set industry-wide carbon goals for the next decade, spanning to 2030. Now, two years into the set goals, the CBA made working groups for all of those goals. Brenna Grant, executive director of CanFax Research Services — the secretariat for the CBA — was on hand at the… Read More
Replacing the good ol’ trusty calving book can be difficult, but there are systems out there that can help with that. Flokk Systems is one of them. The handheld device for data collection with a built in tag reader is important for traceability, says Jody Bell, of Flokk Systems. “It’ll collect all your calving data,… Read More
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) published its August World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE) report on Friday. Looking globally, the USDA’s projected lower world ending stocks for wheat and corn, while soybeans saw an increase of 1.8 mmt. Of note, soybean production for China was increased on higher area cited in recent provincial… Read More
Although livestock and crops have some similar concepts, one of the differences is that you don’t have to keep your crops from escaping. The Razer Grazer, by Range Ward, is working to help keep your cattle in. Neil Thorsteinson, sales manager with Range Ward, was on hand at AgSmart at Olds, Alta., to show off… Read More
Olds College and Agricultural Financial Services Corporation (AFSC) have created a formal partnership by signing a memorandum of understanding (MOU). As part of the MOU, AFSC will provide support for applied research activities on the Olds College Smart Farm that will drive innovation in agriculture. Dr. Joy Agnew, associate vice president of applied research at… Read More
Can we improve yield parameters for farmers through enhanced efficiency fertilizers (EEFs)? That’s the question that Adam Fast, masters student at the University of Alberta, is looking to answer. Fast was at WheatStalk at Lethbridge, Alta., to discuss the projects he and the team are working on, and what results they have seen so far…. Read More
Although not an overly common disease, wheat streak mosaic virus can cause an immense amount of damage to final yield. Reports in southern Alberta have indicated the appearance of the virus. Although alarms aren’t being set off, it’s important to be aware of it, as the virus can spread quickly and easily. The initial signs… Read More
The Successors is a RealAgriculture podcast series hosted by Kara Oosterhuis focusing on agriculture from the perspective of the up-and-coming generation. How do you find time for yourself, in the midst of volunteering, a career, and helping out on the family farm? What can you do to chase your passion? Why is it important to… Read More
When thinking about protecting yield from disease, one of the first things to understand is where yield actually comes from. Jeremy Boychyn, agronomy research extension specialist with Alberta Wheat and Barley Commissions, understanding how the each leaf of the wheat plant builds yield helps inform decisions on how to best manage risks to yield. “One… Read More