When it comes to cover crops, there are many equipment and planting options. But regardless of the tools you choose, seeding at the right depth and achieving an even spread pattern are key for success. In this video, Real Agriculture’s resident agronomist Peter Johnson visits the Elgin Soil and Crop Improvement Association field demonstration day… Read More
Category: Agronomy
Did you know in-bred(parent) corn lines are short wee things? And that gibberella genetic resistance is a multi-gene trait? If ever you’ve been curious as to where hybrid corn lines originate, this latest Corn School is for you. RealAgriculture’s Lyndsey Smith visited Ottawa’s Central Experimental Farm to meet with Dr. Lana Reid, corn breeder for Agriculture… Read More
As we roll into October, some later-seeded soybean yields are coming in better than expected, but there are still some disappointing stories where growers in the driest areas aren’t even bothering to harvest their beans. Meanwhile, decisions have to be made for fall weed control and wheat planting as the days get shorter. Peter Johnson,… Read More
A wet harvest has left farmers in many areas of Western Canada considering options for addressing soil compaction. One of the options that’s seen increased interest in recent years is the use of cover crops, specifically radishes, to break up root-restricting compacted soil. “Radishes are a cover crop that are being sold specifically for compaction alleviation. You… Read More
It’s been dry, to very dry, to a full-on drought in Ontario this year, and that dry trend doesn’t look to be letting up substantially heading into the harvest season. That’s according to Bryce Anderson, senior agriculture meteorologist with DTN, who spoke with Shaun Haney, to recap what weather farmers can anticipate for the #harvest16 season. From… Read More
Yes, we’re a day late with Wheat Pete’s Word, but it was so worth it because we broke a record for most questions in a week! Well, OK, that’s not quite true, but it was so close — so hats off to you, dear listeners and readers, we really do appreciate all the interactions and… Read More
Could the great dry up finally be on for Western Canada? Will we stay frost-free to Thanksgiving? Real Agriculture’s Shaun Haney is joined by senior agriculture meteorologist for DTN Bryce Anderson to talk current weather trends for Western Canada — including what’s behind the cool, wet weather trend most farmers have been grappling with for… Read More
Virtual reality technology is making it possible to get a close look at a crop without having to set foot in the field. Someday you might not even have to leave the farmyard or office. Using a 360-degree camera mounted on a quadcopter drone and an off-the-shelf virtual reality headset to hold a smartphone, Matt Johnson… Read More
New genetics are expected to help dry bean growers fight back against common bacterial blight — the number one foliar disease in beans in Western Canada. Annual dry bean field surveys in Manitoba, Alberta and Saskatchewan show common bacterial blight “is usually quite severe and widespread,” explains Bob Conner, pulse crop pathologist with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC),… Read More
Sponsored Post: If the average farmer starts making key decisions on their farm in their early 30s and farms into their 70s, you’ve got about 40 seasons to get it right. With that in mind, how do you approach agronomic decisions for each new growing season? For this first episode of the Growing Series podcast,… Read More
There’s a new conservation tillage practice in town. Move over no-till, reduced till and strip till, here comes reservoir tillage. The RT850 reservoir tillage tool from Minnesota-based Willmar Fabrication is designed to run between crop rows and make depressions in the ground using 10-inch teeth to create better water infiltration and reduce runoff. “You’re just… Read More
Judging by conversations with farmers across the prairies, social media, and conferences, 2016 is the year of straight-cut canola. Not long ago, canola straight-cutting was a fringe activity but it appears to be going mainstream. Increase in canola straight-cutting is due in part to tailored hybrids, growers learning from each other, and a focus on lower… Read More
Syngenta’s SeedCare Institute is officially setting up shop in Canada. The company’s Canadian facility, located at its Honeywood research facility in Plattsville, Ontario, is now part of a network of 12 centres of excellence around the globe, focusing on advancing seed treatment technology and innovation. At the official launch last week, Anja Pires, Syngenta Global… Read More
It’s late September, the days are warm, and the combines are starting to roll into the edible beans and soybeans. Corn silage harvest has also started and that means we kick off this week’s Wheat Pete’s Word with a reminder and a plead — stay safe and use those lights! From there, we head into… Read More
Georgia cash cropper Randy Dowdy has been farming for less than ten years. In that time he has broken the world record for corn yield, and now he’s laid claim to the soybean yield record. Earlier this month Dowdy’s record 171.8 bushel/acre soybean yield was celebrated at a press conference hosted by the University of… Read More