Just forty or fifty years ago, weed control strategies and options differed greatly from what farmers have to deliberate between today. With a heavy reliance on tillage, physically destroying weeds took a heavy toll on soil moisture reserves and soil structure, leading to issues with salinity and erosion. Today’s western Canadian farmers have moved en… Read More
Category: Crop Production
Canada’s Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister, Lawrence MacAulay is supporting the United Nations’ proclamation of the International Year of Plant Health for 2020. In a news release, MacAulay says the federal government recognizes protecting Canada’s plant resources is vital to food security and Canadians’ wellbeing. “Plants are not only the first link in the food chain, they are… 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
Happy New Year, listeners! Peter ‘Wheat Pete’ Johnson is back with the 191st episode of Wheat Pete’s Word and it could be the very first episode in months not to use that dreaded three-letter word (DON). Instead, this episode talks soil sampling and nutrient recommendation philosophies, dealing with ruts and wet fall conditions, winter manure… Read More
As 2018 ends, many want to forget about the tough harvest this past year. Everything from drought and high DON levels, to frost in August and snow in September — it all played a major factor of the stress of farming and hampered this year’s crop quality and tonnage. The wonky harvest caused a lot… Read More
2018 was a difficult year for soybean markets. The U.S.-China trade war triggered a $2.00-$2.50 per bushel reduction in the futures market and neither side appears willing to relent in their sanction tug-of-war. In RealAgriculture’s final Soybean School episode of the 2018 season, we asked ag economist, market commentator, and farmer Philip Shaw for his take… Read More
Although the equine industry wasn’t Linnaeus Plant Sciences’ (LPSI) main target for marketing their camelina product, the company has formed a new bond with horse owners across Canada. LPSI owns new varieties of high yielding and disease resistant camelina. The company says the oil from the crop is high in omega-3 fatty acids, and this caught… Read More
There is no mineral that provides nitrogen for plants. No rock, like there is for phosphate or sulphur. There is some nitrogen in the organic matter of soils but any additional nitrogen that a plant needs has to come out of the air. The good news is that about 78 percent of the air around… Read More
A French company is purchasing 15 malt barley facilities from Cargill. The purchase includes Prairie Malt, located in Biggar, Sask. The two companies, Cargill and Axéréal’s malt subsidiary, Boortmalt, entered into an agreement expanding Boortmalt’s global economic footprint. In a news release, Cargill states existing clients should also see further opportunities for growth as a result… Read More
There are a lot of different strategies farmers can use to delay or manage for herbicide resistant weeds. Some are complex and some are expensive, but sometimes a simple thing like making sure the ground is covered can make a big difference. RealAgriculture’s Dale Leftwich recently had the chance to speak with Ian Epp, Canola… Read More
What can corn growers expect from the markets in 2019? In Ontario, will sufficient markets be found for high DON corn? After three years of sideways trade, will world markets finally break the mold and push corn higher? On this edition of RealAgriculture’s Corn School, host Bernard Tobin travels to the ‘Agridome’ at Dresden, Ontario… Read More
Will pulse growers get a great gift of pea export movement in the new year? Will the Canadian dollar get back to tracking crude oil? Will soybeans have another tough year in Western Canada? Chuck Penner, of LeftField Commodity Research, joins RealAg Radio host Shaun Haney for a market melee full of holiday joy and… Read More
As 2018 winds down, so does Ontario’s corn and bean harvest — finally. It’s been a trying harvest across much of Canada, and more than a few weary farmers are absolutely relieved to finally be able to park the combine for a another year. But just because harvest is finally done doesn’t mean the field… Read More
If your goal is to eat local, mushrooms should figure prominently on your list. Canada’s commercial fresh mushroom growers produce about 99% of what you’ll find at the grocery store. What’s more, about 40% of the over 130,000 tonnes of mushrooms produced are exported, mainly to the U.S., and that demand is growing, says Ryan… Read More
There is a nondescript building in the north end of Saskatoon that produces live organisms that are shipped around the world to help plants feed themselves and produce grain. It takes some management to make sure the live organisms make it to their destination – farmer’s fields – healthy and vibrant, so they can get… Read More