Is there a tool out there or a method for assessing and interpreting soil health? Research out of the University of Saskatchewan could provide such a tool, where farmers could put in their soil data, find out their soil health score, and receive interpretation and management advice. “Soil health is defined as its capacity to… Read More
Author: Lara de Moissac
Today is World Soil Day, and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations has dedicated this year’s celebration to soil biodiversity. The slogan for this year: “Keep soil alive, protect soil biodiversity.” Closer to home, the Canadian Society of Soil Science’s goals for today’s celebrations are to draw attention to the importance of… Read More
We know you’ve probably been to numerous online meetings now, and you probably don’t want to think about them for a while — but hear us out, here. Like it or not, there are going to be even more online meetings and virtual events with conference season coming up, and although these meetings don’t always… Read More
A recent pulse agronomy webinar hosted by Saskatchewan Pulse Growers (SPG) focused on an emerging chickpea issue found in southwestern Saskatchewan. The presentation was spearheaded by Dr. Michelle Hubbard, research scientist in pulse pathology, who, in conjunction with other researchers, is leading studies on the issue. The as-of-yet unnamed health issue was first observed in… Read More
As the holiday season approaches, you may be stocking up on libations, goodies, groceries, and more. Well, this year, if you live in Ontario, the cream liquor you so admire for your coffee or over ice, will have the Dairy Farmers of Canada blue cow logo. Dairy Distillery, the creators of Vodkow Superior spirits made… Read More
Protein Industries Canada (PIC) has announced a new partnership with the goal of opening new markets for pulse-based proteins and increasing the functionality of these ingredients. Ingredion Inc., Ingredion Plant Based Protein Specialties, located at Vanscoy, Sask., O.M.D. Food Products, Verdient Foods, and T Base 4 Investments have formed a consortium to focus on commercializing… Read More
If you’re a frequent traveller on highway seven in Saskatchewan you’ve seen the large Providence Grain Solutions grain handling operation at Marengo, Sask. Unfortunately, on Thursday night, Kindersley, Eatonia, Kerrobert, and Oyen fire departments were dispatched to a large fire at the elevator. The village of Marengo and surrounding rural municipality of Milton were evacuated…. Read More
Syngenta announced the acquisition of Valagro, an Italian biological crop input company, on Tuesday. The deal will boost Syngenta’s presence in the growing biologicals market, which some have predicted could nearly double in size over the next five years. “We are looking forward to welcoming the Valagro team to Syngenta Group,” says Erik Fyrwald, CEO… Read More
How will a short stature corn benefit not only farmers in the highest corn-yielding state in Mexico, but also across the world? A recent session of the Future of Farming Dialogue series, hosted by Bayer, focused on the VITALA short stature corn (SSC) system, bred with shorter stalks and a lower ear height, and is… Read More
The Saskatchewan Pulse Growers (SPG) breeding agreement with the University of Saskatchewan Crop Development Centre (CDC) is ending, and as it stands, will not be renewed. SPG has invested upwards of 40 million dollars in pulse crop breeding with an additional 20 million dollars in genetics and gene sequencing or market development. Most of that… Read More
Being thoroughly trained to operate a truck and trailer is incredibly important. It’s been a little over two years since the fatal Humboldt Broncos bus crash with a truck and trailer unit which claimed 16 lives, injured 13, and spurred an inquiry into how truck drivers are trained and licensed. The accident, and others like… Read More
Harvest season is upon us, and with hot, dry conditions comes the concern for equipment fires in the field. Are you prepared in case of an emergency? The first line of defence is to clean equipment of caked-on oil, grease, and crop residues and by regularly removing excess residues or plant materials wrapped around bearings… Read More
A few of our pea fields looked a bit pale in comparison to the others earlier this season. The crop colour was off, and not just in low lying spots, as one might expect with all the moisture west central Saskatchewan has received. On further investigation, ruling out other reasons like fertility and plant stand,… Read More
Any flax producer knows that the biggest challenge to growing the crop is the long, fibrous residue left behind. The following seeding season, these long-stem fibres — also known as shive — get wrapped around discs, wheels, or seeder-shanks. It’s known as “the straw problem” according to the former Flax Council of Canada, and it… Read More
Have you ever wondered what the carbon offset value is of those shelterbelts on your land? A new app developed by researchers at the University of Saskatchewan (USask) may soon be able to help you estimate their economic value. “People tend to focus on the negative environmental aspects of farming such as the greenhouse gases… Read More