There are significant differences between what is available in Canada and the U.S. when it comes to adjuvant additions to the spray tank. But that’s not to say there aren’t options for Canadian farmers — there are — and knowing what’s available, how they work, and when to use them is key to getting the… Read More
If you change how you deliver seed to the ground, what else has to change? From fertilizer planning, to seeding rate, to weed control, the planter vs. seeder decision isn’t as easy as which unit does the most consistent job. To explore considerations for canola and soybeans, and to kick off the 2022 season of… Read More
In looking back at the top stories of 2021, a few themes emerge: the year was one of uncertainty, friction, and rising costs. Yes, there were some high points, such as the dream of a snack-fetching drone and announcements of planned domestic processing, but for most of the year, labour issues, supply chain disruption, and… Read More
It’s time to wrap up the 2021 growing season, with a discussion on the most challenging agronomic topics of the year: from soil management, to determining yield capacity, to managing plant growth regulators. For this special year-end edition of The Agronomists, host Lyndsey Smith is joined by Jeremy Boychyn with the Alberta Wheat and Barley… Read More
Every selection tool shifts the weed spectrum, and that includes farmer-controlled decisions such as tillage, crop rotation, and seeding rate. It also includes non-farmer controlled selection tools, such as wet or dry weather cycles. To unpack what we can learn from shifting weed patterns, we go to Mike Cowbrough, weed specialist with the Ontario Ministry… Read More
There are plenty of things farmers can add to soil other than a commercial fertilizer to add carbon and feed microbes. Increasingly, there are products that promise increased nutrient availability or even nitrogen-fixation for non-legumes. Whether or not the products work as they should and determining the best situation to use them is yet to… Read More
Fall seeding of spring cereals may sound like a wild idea — and it is — but research out of Western Canada is trying it for durum. Meanwhile in Ontario, a new seeding trial could help farmers decide if it’s time to upgrade the drill. For this episode of The Agronomists, host Lyndsey Smith is joined by Agriculture… Read More
If one crop is good, two could be better. Intercropping and relay cropping is gaining momentum in Ontario and Western Canada, in an effort to maximize yield, decrease fertilizer use, and possibly reduce herbicide and fungicide passes. To explore what the science tells us, we go to Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada researchers Eric Page at… Read More
We’re not about to let some technical difficulties keep us from having The Agronomists go live! In this episode, storm-stayed Tom Wolf and mall-Santa-ready Jason Deveau join host Shaun Haney for an engaging conversation about new sprayer technology, the rate of commercialization, and strategies for effective product application in the face of possible shortages in-season…. Read More
Phosphorus is a key nutrient for crop production, and requires careful management to ensure there’s enough P to feed a growing crop, but not so much that the nutrient moves off the field in run-off or soil movement. For what makes phosphorus management different versus say, nitrogen, we go to experts Dr. Merrin Macrae, professor… Read More
It’s time for a fun — ok, they are all fun, but even more fun than usual — episode of The Agronomists. It’s time for a free-for-all, featuring questions from you, the audience! Tonight’s episode is fuelled by host Lyndsey Smith, and guests Peter “Wheat Pete” Johnson, RealAgriculture’s resident agronomist, and Jeremy Boychyn, agronomy research… Read More
Throughout corn harvest, much attention is paid to test weight as the crop works through the combine, into the bin, and off to market. But does test weight really matter? On this episode of The Sharp Edge, Maizex Seeds agronomist Greg Stewart explains why he believes growers would be better rewarded if they focused on… Read More
Using cover crops in a grain rotation can help achieve several goals: decreased soil erosion, decreased loss of nutrients off the field, increased weed suppression, and more. The research suggests that incorporating cover crops in to a grain farm increases crop yield, too. To discover how the tool can be used — yes, even in… Read More
Despite major concerns from farmers, the European Union’s proposed Farm to Fork strategy received a show of support from members of the European Parliament last week. The policy, which the European Commission says is aimed at making the EU’s food systems “fair, healthy and environmentally-friendly,” would introduce significant restrictions to the amount of pesticides, fertilizers,… Read More
From simply leaving a check strip to replicated trials, field-level data collection and analysis can be overwhelming. For this episode of The Agronomists, host Lyndsey Smith is joined by Jenn Sabourin of Manitoba-based Antara Agronomy, and Aaron Breimer of Deveron, based near Chatham, Ontario. The three talk about field trial set up, data collection, and… Read More