With two potential new models for collecting seed royalties on the horizon, farm groups across the Prairies are wanting to hear from producers as to what their preference would be. Currently, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) have put their consultation process on hold with farmers. This comes after… Read More
Farmers in Western Canada will now access the Pride Seeds portfolio of hybrid corn, soybean seeds, and agronomic resources only through the Canterra Seeds retailer network in Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta, the company says. This partnership will allow Canterra to expand its line of silage corn hybrids, grain corn hybrids, and soybeans. To effectively take… Read More
For several weeks the message has been that growers need be adjusting their corn variety heat units based on late planting. For some growers, it has become too difficult to drop much further based on hybrid availability in certain heat unit ranges. RealAg Agronomist Peter Johnson recognizes the challenge. “As you move into the lower… Read More
Planters are parked across Ontario as rain-soaked and flooded fields are far from fit for corn seed. But soil conditions can turn around in a hurry with better weather and there’s still plenty of yield potential for growers to chase, says Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) corn lead Ben Rosser. In… Read More
A new distribution partnership between Maizex Seeds and BrettYoung was announced today by the two companies. BrettYoung will now distribute the Elite Soybean brand in Western Canada starting in the 2020 production year. All Maizex and Elite soybean varieties will soon be consolidated and marketed under the Elite brand. According to a news release, Maizex… Read More
What’s yellow, baled, and wanted all over? Straw of course! The pretty sad wheat crop in Ontario has many farmers asking, “what’s straw worth?” and, “which cereal crop will give me the most?” Host Peter ‘Wheat Pete’ Johnson tackles that question and so much more in this week’s Wheat Pete’s Word. Hear more about straw… Read More
From the sweet, sweet taste of maple syrup, to the sad state of this Ontario wheat crop, this week’s Wheat Pete’s Word has something for just about everyone. Host Peter Johnson covers soil structure problems, patchy wheat problems, seed-placed fertilizer and so much more in the audio below. Listen now or listen later! Have a… Read More
Variable seed size, seed costs, and unique seeding equipment can make recommending a canola seeding rate nearly impossible except on a farm-by-farm basis. What agronomists can do is help farmers work backwards from the desired plant stand count to get where they need to be, but what if that number proves very expensive? The Canola… Read More
Maizex Seeds has announced it is expanding seed corn production for Canada through the purchase of the former Dow AgroSciences seed corn facility located at Blenheim, Ont. Maizex currently produces and processes seed corn in its facility located near Tilbury, Ont. This expansion follows a recently announced joint venture with Sollio Agriculture, the rebranded agriculture… Read More
It’s too bad we can’t go a week or so without some troubling news, and this week is no exception after reports of European corn borer developing resistance to a hybrid trait. But, don’t fret, as this week’s Wheat Pete’s Word features some real neat and positive discussions, including some soil chat about the hard… 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
Limagrain and Canterra Seeds have announced the Limagrain Cereals Research Canada (LCRC) will register its first two new wheat varieties following the support from the Prairie Grain Development Committee, calling it an important day for Canadian wheat breeding. “This is a watershed moment for LCRC as it focuses on developing new milling wheat varieties that will deliver… Read More
What does your swimming pool and seedbed have in common? Very little! So why is one farmer worried about potassium chloride’s impact on soil bugs? It’s all about the form of nutrients, says Wheat Pete’s Word host, Peter Johnson. In this week’s episode, Johnson wants to hear from you on your top spring wheat yields… Read More
Besides being the most beautiful crop the Prairies grow, Michelle Beaith, agronomist with Saskatchewan Flax, is encouraging farmers to think about growing the oil and fibre crop this season and in the future. “It’s a good alternative,” she says. “It has a lot of unique diseases. You can break that disease cycle, whether it be… 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