August 1, 2012 officially changes the way the wheat producers and industry members do business out west. With that date spelling the end of the single desk marketing system, farmers, buyers and processors have to look closely at their respective businesses and adapt to a whole new ball game. For some involved in the industry,… Read More
Now that you have probably picked up your pea or lentil inoculant from your retailer, you need to make sure that you are storing it properly on farm. You need to remember that your inoculant is a living biological organism. It needs to be taken care of handled in a proper manner before it is… Read More
Wireworms are one of the pests that come with a lot of speculation and misinformation for many farmers. Patchy stands are often blamed on poor seed or conditions when the blame should be placed on wire worms. Dr. Bob Vernon’s research shows that wire worms are not isolated to the light brown soil zone of… Read More
This episode of the Corn School finishes our three part series on what possible issues producers can expect this spring due to the mild winter conditions. It’s not a topic we’ve had to address too much in the past and for that reason alone it warrants some attention. Above average or below average conditions in… Read More
The economic sway of canola is visibly obvious across the West. A flyover of the prairies in the summer would show you what looks to be a sea of yellow. That sea of yellow shows you just how profitable canola is. The fact that aerial view doesn’t change much from year to year reinforces just… Read More
Every producer is looking for the edge when it comes to their crop. That’s all well and good, but it’s a pursuit that has to be balanced with a good level of realistic discernment. If that discernment isn’t there it can leave producers that are chasing that edge vulnerable to the “snake oil” or “silver… Read More
RealAgriculture.com is teaming up with the Alberta Canola Producers Commission to bring you a brand new season of fresh, interesting and informative content through the Canola School. The first episode of the new season brings us to the CanoLAB 3D diagnostic training sessions in Edmonton, Alberta. The event was co-hosted by the Canola Council of… Read More
In this episode of the Corn School we continue to look at the potential issues that could arise from this year’s mild winter. This time around we look at the sphere of disease and what producers should be aware of as we head toward planting. To do that, we spoke to Purdue University Plant Pathologist… Read More
As producers get closer to planting their soybeans, now is the time to consider all of the potential issues the year may throw at you and how you can deal with them before you get the seed in the ground. If there is a history or a threat of insect pests or soil borne disease, a… Read More
In some areas of Canada winter was practically non-existent. From a visual absence of snow to a prolonged period of warmer than normal temperatures, it was definitely an oddball season. Many producers are struggling with whether or not they need to start planting and get the season started. In this episode of the Corn School,… Read More
We’ve talked before about the importance of soil tilth in contributing to corn yields. The logic behind it is fairly simple. The easier it is for root structure to grow and spread out, the more access to nutrients, water, etc. Not only that, but the effect compounds itself over time as those roots decay and… Read More
There are big strides to be made in the area of soybean yields. A big part of increasing those yields comes from from finding out what’s holding your plants back. The truth is that their is a wide range of limiting factors that vary from field to field. Instead of becoming overwhelmed with intricate details… Read More
It looks as though soybean growers in Ontario may see an early planting opportunity this year. Mild conditions through the past few months and especially over the last few weeks have farmers more than ready to get in the fields. With the advantages of early planting in soybeans established, when an opportunity presents itself, farmers… Read More
There is always some risk involved when it comes to early planting of corn. The risk-reward scenario has to be weighed using a number of factors, some of which, like the weather, are out of the farmer’s hands. This year you can add another factor to that scenario: tight corn seed stocks. If something does… Read More
In any situation, broadleafs and wild oats left unchecked in your field can end up robbing you of the yield you desire. The best way to manage these nutrient scavengers is to make sure you are using your crop protection products that work quickly and effectively. Ensure that you do your own research on the… Read More