When you look at the scope of Canadian agriculture, the discovery of a handful of wheat plants containing an unapproved genetically modified trait growing on a remote site in southern Alberta last summer is a testament to the rigour of the Canadian regulatory system. First and foremost, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) says none… Read more »
Category: Crop Production
Canola School: Clubroot monitoring key to protecting Saskatchewan industry
Relatively few cases of clubroot have been confirmed in Saskatchewan, but with many documented cases just to the west in Alberta an obvious question emerges – has Saskatchewan been good or has it been lucky? In this episode of Real Agriculture’s Canola School, Errin Willenborg, research director with SaskCanola, discusses the status of the clubroot… Read more »
Corn School: Time to trap western bean cutworm
Have you set your western bean cutworm (WBC) traps yet? Setting traps is the most effective means of determining whether the yield-robbing pest is setting up shop in your cornfields. In this episode of RealAgriculture Corn School, OMAFRA field entomologist Tracey Baute shows growers how to set traps and discusses the growing importance of the WBC Trap… Read more »
SaskCanola research manager receives recognition
Errin Willenborg, research manager with SaskCanola recently took home some hardware from the Saskatchewan Institute of Agrologists (SIA). Willenborg manages $3 million in investments per year on behalf of Saskatchewan canola growers. “We’re invested in a lot of research in agronomy, and looking at some of the genetics behind diseases in the province. We have… Read more »
Unapproved GM wheat plants discovered in Alberta
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has confirmed the discovery of unapproved genetically modified wheat plants containing a trait developed by Monsanto in southern Alberta. The isolated patch of wheat plants were found growing on an access road to an oil platform last summer, the agency said in a briefing on Thursday. The plants were… Read more »
CFIA finds isolated case of biotech plant product not allowed in Canada
Update: The CFIA has confirmed the discovery of several GM wheat plants in southern Alberta. Here’s the updated story. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) will be holding a technical briefing this afternoon to provide information on a case of an unapproved biotech plant product being found in Alberta. The agency describes it as “an… Read more »
Soybean School: Bean leaf beetle making a comeback
Many Ontario farmers will remember when they routinely sprayed soybean crops to control bean leaf beetle. That changed 10 years ago with the introduction of neonicotinoid insecticide seed treatments, which helped suppress populations of the pest in Ontario and many U.S. states. But the pest is mounting a comeback as neonic use continues to decline and… Read more »
Wheat Pete’s Word, June 13: Weevil whacking, the nitrate report, and dry bean replants
It’s dry, dry, dry in some areas of Ontario, but some relief could show up as many forecasts are calling for rain. Just how dry is it? As Peter Johnson, host of Wheat Pete’s Word, shares in this week’s edition, dry beans have failed to emerge and relay crop soybeans are wilting. The lack of… Read more »
Corn School: Will drone sprayers fit your farm?
Is the clock ticking on the future of your ground sprayer? Could it eventually be replaced by a swarm of UAV sprayers that could better target weeds and deliver herbicide to exact locations in the field? These are questions we explore with AGRIS Co-operative agronomist Dale Cowan on this episode of RealAgriculture’s Corn School. Cowan recently… Read more »
Canola School: How much seed is enough and how much is too much?
Seeding rates are always a hot topic, and for good reason. The only thing more expensive than buying and planting too much canola seed is not having enough seed in the ground and losing yield potential. Canola Council of Canada agronomist Ian Epp is often asked, “Can I lower my seeding rate?” as farmers are… Read more »
Wheat School: Should you worry about head snag?
Hot days and warm nights have produced lots of head snag in Ontario winter wheat fields. RealAgriculture agronomist Peter Johnson explains that a string of 30-degree days and 20-degree nights earlierthis spring promoted rapid growth in wheat fields just as the wheat crop was heading out. Those are perfect conditions for head snag. “Some of… Read more »
Farmers Edge, Lindsay Corporation form partnership to improve irrigation precision
Digital agriculture company Farmers Edge has announced a partnership with Nebraska-based irrigation equipment manufacturer Lindsay Corporation to sync the companies’ farm management and water application technology. Farmers Edge says its digital agronomic tools, including satellite imagery, will be offered through Lindsay’s Zimmatic network. Lindsay’s FieldNet software and Farmers Edge’s digital platform will also have the ability… Read more »
‘Learn to Lead’ heading into its third year
SaskCanola is working to encourage and train the next generation of farm leaders. Tracy Broughton, policy and producer relations manager for SaskCanola, says that it’s leadership development is key to making sure the baton will be passed to eager and capable hands. With that in mind, SaskCanola is starting to plan the third year of… Read more »
Weather and geopolitical risk —This week in the grain markets
Except for wheat, grain markets this week trended mostly lower. The oilseed complex saw a significant sell-off as the start to the U.S. growing season has been good. Further, there haven’t been any noticeable discussion between the U.S. and China regarding trade. The market is interpreting this as bearish for soybeans. Next week Tuesday, June… Read more »
Is the dicamba spray window closed?
Spray early, that’s the mantra with Xtend technology for soybeans. An early dicamba application means pre-emerge or early post-emerge — so, have we missed the window? That depends, says Tom Wolf, spray specialist and co-founder of Agrimetrix, on where you farm. Spraying early is the name of the game (with dicamba) to avoid the heat and thus… Read more »