Farmer directors representing five Manitoba producer organizations have completed a proposal to amalgamate into a single, new not-for-profit organization focused on research, communication and market development. The five groups looking to form one organization are: the Manitoba Corn Growers Association (MCGA), Manitoba Flax Growers Association (MFGA), National Sunflower Association of Canada (NSAC), Manitoba Wheat and Barley… Read More
There are many challenges that have the potential to dash the business plans and hopes of farmers —from trade agreements, to climate change, and primary risks. Strong government policy is part of the solution. Helping shape effective policy will be one of Dr. Alan Ker’s goals as he assumes the newly-created Research Chair in Agriculture… Read More
It’s nearly Christmas and finally — finally! — corn harvest is done for many, but there are actually many acres of soybeans still yet to be harvested in Ontario. Could soybean seeding be impacted? It’s quite possible given some fields that are still left out are seed crops. Peter Johnson, host of Wheat Pete’s Word, is… Read More
The federal government has announced support for oilseed research in the east with $3.7 million going to the Eastern Canada Oilseeds Development Alliance (ECODA). According to a news release, oilseed crops are one of the fastest-growing markets in eastern Canada. One example given is the soybean production in Prince Edward Island has roughly tripled in an… Read More
The recent WASDE report created barely a ripple in the markets, and now traders are trying to figure what’s going on. The November report is often a bit of a snoozer, and this year is no exception, but the underlying political currents make this year a bit harder to decipher. RealAg Radio host Shaun Haney… Read More
Improvement of soil moisture conditions were not widespread as some would like it to be, but the good news is there was increased precipitation for much of Western Canada, according to the latest report via the Canadian Drought Monitor. Looking at the latest report (see below), producers will see a big change in southern Saskatchewan… Read More
One thing that is becoming very clear at the agronomy meetings this fall is that, when it comes to clubroot, the maps are changing and not in a good way. Bruce Gossen, plant pathologist with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC), gave a presentation on clubroot at the Canola Industry Days held at Saskatoon recently. He… Read More
The Canola Council of Canada (CCC) presented its slimmed-down budget and re-directed strategy to the Canadian canola value chain gathered for the Canola Industry Days December 5, 2018, at Saskatoon, Sask. CCC president Jim Everson took some time out of the conference to discuss what the new priorities will mean. “The board of directors really… Read More
There’s no understating just how significant the loss of Canadian pulse exports to India has been this past year. Carl Potts, executive director of the Saskatchewan Pulse Growers, says that the organization’s budget — directly funded through a value-based levy — fell short by nearly 40%. It shows just how dire the situation has been… Read More
When it comes to Saskatoon, former Saskatchewan premier Brad Wall has not been seen much in these parts. In fact, except for the Saskatchewan Party leadership convention, he has not made a public appearance in Saskatoon since he retired as premier. When he showed up at a recent Farm and Food Care Saskatchewan event he… Read More
“Patience is a virtue” – William Langland It’s been six years in the making as the Canadian canola industry waits for the approval of three canola traits for export into the Chinese market — Bayer’s TruFlex (introduced under Monsanto), Optimum Gly, owned by Corteva, and BASF’s Rf3. Whether it’s the opportunity for expanded application windows… Read More
The 2018 Ontario soybean harvest got off to a roaring start in early fall but quickly ground to a halt as poor weather parked combines. In early December, many growers are still struggling to bin their beans. The wet weather has left growers asking how they can manage higher moisture, wet soybeans. Management decisions are… Read More
There are a number of reasons why herbicides sometimes fail to control weeds. Perhaps surprisingly, one of the easier things to rule out is whether the weed is herbicide resistant. Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs weed specialist Mike Cowbrough says many universities across Canada conduct testing for herbicide resistance, but growers have… Read More
When it comes to making more money with crop marketing, there’s no magical formula —it requires attention, some learning, still more effort, and discipline. That said, there are some ways to make the process easier and more streamlined, which could, in turn, make you a little more profit. John Snell, senior vice president at INTL… Read More
Many farmers and seed industry members have come to realize that business-as-usual will not be a business at all unless some changes are made to the way plant breeding is funded in this country. Everyone recognizes that most of the money that goes into plant breeding goes into just a few crops through private investment,… Read More