Let’s start this week’s Word on a super positive note — Peter Johnson is a grandpa for the sixth time! Host Johnson takes that wonderful piece of news as inspiration for this week’s Wheat Pete’s Word and tries to keep it upbeat and positive (meaning, yes, he talks corn, but mostly not, OK?) From winter… Read more »
Category: Seed
Sleeping or dead? Tough harvest has induced major seed dormancy
Seed quality from the 2018 harvest was actually quite good, until wet and cold weather stranded crop standing and in the swath. That nasty weather interlude has left many farmers with seed that’s in a rather deep dormancy, and it’s going to take some time to fully evaluate the quality and germination of seed lots… Read more »
Wheat School: Watch out for spoilage moulds in seed samples
Every year is different when it comes to growing a crop. The summer growing conditions are unpredictable and, as we have seen this year, harvest can go from great to brutal in one weather event. The same is true with seed: every sample can offer its own surprises. RealAgriculture’s Dale Leftwich recently attended the Western… Read more »
Maizex Seeds focused on the future of Canadian agriculture
Focus on growth by meeting the needs of farmers across Canada is the clear direction for the team at Maizex Seeds. Under the theme of “Together We Grow”, the joint venture between Maizex Seeds and La Coop fédérée will see Maizex assuming the management of the corn and soybean businesses for both the Maizex and… Read more »
Soybean School: Helping varieties ‘flex’ for higher yield
The concept of ‘flex’ corn hybrids has been talked about in seed circles for several years. The idea is quite simple: these corn hybrids have the ability to flex and create larger ears with more girth at lower populations. They produce higher yields when planted in the 28,000 seeds per acre range. The idea of… Read more »
Start your seed testing story with 20/20 Seed Labs
As the 2018 growing season comes to a close, it’s a good time to evaluate what impact the environment has had on the seed during both the growing and harvest season. It’s important to consider that your seed analyst and disease diagnostician are very much on the front lines again this year – and as… Read more »
Health Canada proposes ban of remaining two main neonics
Health Canada has proposed banning two of the most commonly used neonicotinoid insecticides (neonics) used in Canadian agriculture in the next three to five years following a review of their impact on aquatic insect species. The proposal published on Wednesday would end outdoor agricultural and turf uses for clothianidin, and all outdoor agricultural and ornamental uses… Read more »
Wheat School: How do we fund wheat research?
Over the last decade, the average yield increase for corn tips the scale at five bushels per acre, per year. During the same period wheat yield gains have averaged a meagre one bushel per acre, per year. What is the future of wheat if it can’t match the yield gains of crops like corn and… Read more »
InVigor planning to roll out canola seed count packaging in 2020
The concept of buying seed based on number of seeds, rather than weight, is certainly familiar for farmers who grow corn and soybeans, but it’s a new approach for canola. InVigor — which changed owners this week, from Bayer to BASF — plans to introduce seed count packaging to the canola market in 2020. “Starting… Read more »
Ode to the plant breeder
Personally, I know that I lack the ability to focus on one thing for very long. I bounce from topic to topic every day as new issues develop and new questions arise. Authors commit months, or even years, to one subject when writing a book. Their ability to make that time commitment is so amazing… Read more »
Brevant seeds launches in Canada
As the dust settles on the recent major crop company mergers and acquisitions, the new, re-branded entities are beginning to emerge. Brand new for this year is the Brevant seed brand, by Corteva. Brad Orr, marketing leader for Corteva explains that, in Western Canada, producers will see canola and soybean offerings under the Brevant brand… Read more »
Wheat School: Waxy wheat shines in droughty climes
Do wheat varieties with higher leaf wax levels perform better in dry, stressful growing conditions? That’s a question RealAgriculture agronomist Peter Johnson and C & M Seeds general manager Ellen Sparry tackle on this episode of the Wheat School as they tour C & M’s research site at the company’s Harriston, ON, location. Sparry notes that… Read more »
CSTA welcomes Todd Hyra as its new president
The Canadian Seed Trade Association (CSTA) welcomed their new president, Todd Hyra, this past month. As the presidency term only lasts for one year, Hyra says the nice part is that you still get to see projects you’re passionate about go forward as you’re part of the board two years leading up as vice president… Read more »
Wheat Pete’s Word, July 11: Peduncles, double crops, and chewing vs. sucking insects
It’s July and that means two things: sunburns and field tour season! Our apologies for this week’s Wheat Pete’s Word being posted a day late, but it was actually a field tour (and plot harvest) that pushed host Peter Johnson right to deadline. We promise it’s worth the wait, however, as this week’s episode is… Read more »
Wheat School: CRISPR technology could be a boon for wheat breeding
Wheat breeding is a poor cousin when you compare it to the investment and resources corn and soybean plant breeders have at their disposal to develop new and improved plant genetics. The arrival of CRISPR technology, however, is giving wheat breeders hope that they may finally get a leg up on their big-crop cousins. At… Read more »