It might seem counter-intuitive, but slowing down corn emergence may actually boost yields. Last fall, RealAgriculture agronomist Peter Johnson took a close look at corn research plots and concluded that optimum distance between corn plants matters far less than uniform emergence. He also discovered that achieving perfectly uniform emergence takes planting deep. We already know… Read More
As Canada continues to develop a new seed royalty structure, researchers have been comparing models in other countries to better understand the financial implications to farmers, the effectiveness and ease-of-use of the options, and the eventual impact of changes on plant breeding programs. Richard Gray, professor and Canadian Grain Policy Chair at the University of… Read More
Corn is moving into new territory — mainly west and north — but the agronomic information farmers in these new areas rely on is still largely based on data from places such as Illinois and Iowa. This has provided a basis for new corn farmers to get started, but there are a lot of differences… Read More
There’s a new research project underway and a soil scientist from the University of Manitoba is taking the lead on the team. Dr. Mario Tenuta will be guiding a team of Canadian researchers to determine best practises on how to apply nitrogen fertilizer in corn crops in ways that not only increase yields and economic benefit… Read More
Imagine planting corn hybrids that could produce 40 to 80 percent of their nitrogen requirements. It’s only 10 years away, says University of Wisconsin–Madison researcher Dr. Vania Pankievicz. The breakthrough comes from a Mexican corn variety called Sierra Mixe. At the recent Innovative Farmers Association of Ontario conference in London, Ontario, Pankievicz explained that the 15-foot tall variety,… Read More
The integration between Alberta Wheat and Alberta Barley has been extremely successful, says Tom Steve, executive director with the now one-year-old Alberta Wheat and Barley Commission. “We’ve realized cost savings of about $350,000 a year,” Steve says. “A lot is related to salaries for sure, but we have a stronger management team now that’s focussed… Read More
There are a lot of concerns in the pulse market at the moment. Things such as competition from the Black Sea region, and what’s happening with the election in India, can keep farmers up at night. While you have one eye on the markets, it’s also important to keep the other on agronomy. This is… Read More
Any golfer will tell you that sometimes you have to go back to the fundamentals to find success. You make sure your feet are planted in the right place and then you build from there. The same analogy works for hockey, or welding, and even farming. RealAgRadio host Shaun Haney and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada… Read More
Seeds are certainly fascinating: life, plants, flowers, and food all stored in a beautiful unique little structure. At 20/20 Seed Labs, we know that every seed has its own personality and beauty, and we have come to understand that every seed type behaves differently and is affected differently by environment, maturity, weathering, and aging. As we… Read More
In an effort to keep its producers at the top of the global stage, the Manitoba government unveiled a first-of-its kind provincial protein strategy. The strategy has several prongs and will help both animal and plant protein development in the face of global demand, according to Manitoba Agriculture minister Ralph Eichler. “With world demand continuing… Read More
Things are looking up for the barley market. That’s the message from the SaskBarley annual general meeting held recently during CropSphere at Saskatoon, Sask. “I think the industry has never been stronger. We’re seeing huge exports on the feed side going into China, we’re strengthening in the malt side, both domestically and globally, and we’ve… Read More
The flax industry has had some tough years. Still recovering acres from the Triffid issue from a few years ago, this past year’s drought in the southern half of the Prairies also limited production. SaskFlax, however, has continued to move forward and plan for success. After the annual general meeting at CropSphere recently, Wayne Thompson,… Read More
Crop research in Saskatchewan will see a sizeable funding boost from the federal and provincial governments for 44 crop-related research projects through Saskatchewan’s Agriculture Development Fund (ADF) and the Strategic Research Initiative (SRI). Federal Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Lawrence MacAulay and Saskatchewan Agriculture Minister David Marit announced the more than $12 million in funding this week… Read More
Mapping the wheat genome has been a major goal of scientists for decades. Getting it sequenced was a major accomplishment, but it wasn’t the end of the journey – it was, in reality, only opening the door so the journey could begin. Curtis Pozniak, professor at the University of Saskatchewan and plant breeder with the… Read More
Farmers need seed to grow crops. It’s just that simple. This is why public institutions have played such an important role in plant breeding over the years. But, just as new varieties are needed when environmental conditions change, new funding models for plant breeders are needed when economic conditions change. Kofi Agblor knows all to… Read More