It’s that time of year where we transition from killing weeds to protecting our crops from diseases. Growing conditions across much of Western Canada have been good, with adequate moisture (to too much moisture!) and warm temperatures; this is excellent for the crops, but also creates a conducive environment for diseases to thrive. Scouting: As… Read More
Category: Spraying
With a tight spray window and lots of ground to cover, farmers are always on the hunt for ways to cover more acres in a day. In a pinch, many will simply go faster, and, while that does work, it’s not without increased risks or potential reduced product efficacy. Instead, Tom Wolf, sprayer specialist and… Read More
Farmers in Canada may be the first in North America to have access to the latest soybean technology as Dow AgroSciences LLC and MS Technologies LLC have received approval for Enlist E3 soybeans. Canadian regulatory authorities have approved Enlist E3 soybeans, which are part of the Enlist Weed Control System, and the third Enlist trait… Read More
When considering tank mixes, whether in-crop or pre-seed, most farmers spend most of their time ensuring the products will control what they’re targeting and if there are any re-cropping restrictions. Rightly so, as these are the two most important factors, however how much thought do you give to the water volume and nozzle selection when… Read More
Many soybean fields have taken a beating this year, unlike last year’s straightforward early season. A late May frost, then really hot temps have stressed plants, plus crusting in some areas has entombed the poor beans under ground. In this RealAg Crop Update Ontario, Dan Foster with PRIDE Seeds, gives an update on not only… Read More
Regardless of the disease pressure mix on your farm, maintaining a disease-free flag and penultimate leaf is a key means of ensuring max wheat yield. Early season leaf disease can seem benign enough, but in the right conditions diseases like tan spot and septoria can move up through the canopy quickly and eventually begin compromising… Read More
You’ve gone out to check fields. Last week’s herbicide application should be in full force, but when you get out to the field, targeted weeds aren’t showing the signs they should, or the crop looks sickly or both. Was this product failure or human error? Both or neither? Spraying pesticides — be they insecticides, fungicides… Read More
They’re back! While it’s a bit early to be alarmed about armyworm feeding, early is also the prime time to be scouting for this leaf chewer. Armyworms start out very small (which happens to be the best time to control them) and like to feed in the evenings, so if you’re doing most of your… Read More
Targeting wheat heads requires a very different approach when spraying than when looking after the flag leaf — water volume and travel speed play a role, but it’s the upright, thin nature of the head that requires a switch in nozzles for best coverage. In this interview, Ontario cereal specialist Peter Johnson reviews what it… Read More
Big iron, excellent distribution networks and long hours meant that roughly 80% of the southern Ontartio corn and soybean crop went in the ground between May 6th to 20th. As Ken Currah, with PRIDE Seeds notes in this RealAgriculture.com Crop Update Ontario, available horsepower and machinery means that when the ground is fit, it’s off… Read More
As wheat heads first emerge from the boot, the clock starts ticking — from fully emerged you’ve got about six days to protect the head from the dreaded fusarium head blight. Farmers should target a fungicide application to coincide with heads on 75% of plants at around Day 2 to Day 4. Not sure what… Read More
We’ve talked about the importance of pre-plant control of Canada fleabane, and how to avoid letting this weed get a foothold in your field, but what are your options when it is there? There are several options, but the effectiveness of both tillage or herbicides is influenced by many factors. Tillage is only about 70%… Read More
Towering yellow-flowered plants in a soybean field don’t just look a bit out of place, these volunteer canola plants are actually competing with the crop and using valuable soil nutrients. Just how much of an impact this has on final soybean yield is important to know, as, just like with any pest, it’s important to… Read More
Protecting the almighty flag leaf of a wheat crop is paramount, as this single, fat leaf contributes the vast majority of energy to fill those kernels. Timing a fungicide application to protect against leaf diseases like tan spot or septoria must happen before heads emerge to really benefit the crop. Of course, as heads start… Read More
Does your farm have the cleavers? In this episode of the Pulse School, Ken Sapsford, research assistant at the University of Saskatchewan, explains issues surrounding the abundance of cleavers across the prairies. With the shift towards no-till farming practices, cleavers, which were once considered a summer annual, are now overwintering, particularly in the presence of… Read More