Nobody likes counting soybean plants to determine whether a field needs to be replanted. It’s never fun, but it’s now easier thanks to the Bean Cam phone app. On this episode of the RealAgriculture Soybean School, University of Wisconsin-Madison soybean extension specialist Shawn Conley explains how growers can use the app to do quick and… Read More
From the barn to the boardroom, agriculture is full of job opportunities and employers are looking for talent. But it’s not that easy to find qualified people to do the job. That’s Melissa Brinn’s take on the challenges agriculture employers face and the incredible opportunities job seekers have throughout the industry. “Every company, everywhere is… Read More
New technology and design modifications make the GEA R9500 dairy robot a smart option for producers looking at automated milking systems, the company says. The box-style robot from GEA Farm Technologies delivers real-time somatic cell count (SCC) monitoring, more precise and speedier teat cup attachments, as well as a redesigned frame to enhance cow flow,… Read More
The Canadian dairy industry has made great strides in cow comfort over the past 20 years. It’s a story EastGen genetics veterinarian Dr. Tim Henshaw feels all dairy farmers should be actively telling all friends, neighbours ,and consumers within earshot. From mats and bedding for cows to lie on, to adequate stall space and better… Read More
Herbicide resistant weeds are spreading across counties, the country, and the continent. Weed seeds are hitching a ride on wind and water and being transported by everything from machinery and migrating geese to ducks and earthworms. On this episode of RealAgriculture’s Resistance Management School, we’re joined by University of Guelph Ridgetown campus weed researcher, Dave… Read More
Milking with single-box automated milking systems (AMS) has revolutionized the way dairy producers manage their herds. Current estimates indicate that 10 percent of the Canadian dairy herd are now milked by automated systems, and it’s growing. Globally, nearly 30,000 farms employ robots, according to a 2014 survey. Much of the conversation around dairy robots focus… Read More
Every year the Canadian Dairy XPO (CDX) attracts companies from all over the globe. Many of them have deep roots in Canada, but others, like Turkey’s Çapar milking systems, are new to the country, seeking to set up shop in one of the world’s most attractive dairy industries. Çapar started producing milking machines in Turkey… Read More
At its annual general meeting, the Canadian Western Agribition (CWA) gave an update as to how the 2018 performed. The organization called it another successful year and reports a profit of $190,671. “It’s important for Agribition to continue to operate responsibly, and to ensure the show and the organization is sustainable in the long term,”… Read More
Are you farming vertically? That’s a question Illinois-based agronomist Ken Ferrie believes every grower needs to ask when making soil and field management decisions. At the CropSmart 2019 conference held earlier this year at Kitchener, Ont., Ferrie, who operates Crop-Tech consulting, explained that vertical farming refers to the ability for water to move up and… Read More
When it comes to diversification, Stratford, Ont., dairy farmers Henry and Inge Koskamp are adding a new twist to the term. With an eye on future opportunities for five children actively involved in the dairy operation, the Koskamps are now milking 110 Mediterranean water buffalo to go along with the 130 Holsteins. RealAgriculture’s Bernard Tobin… Read More
Look for poultry producers to flock to Stratford, Ont., on November 4 and 5, 2020, for the newly-minted Canadian Poultry XPO. The new poultry industry tradeshow was announced today at the opening of the 2019 Canadian Dairy XPO by show founders Jordon and Donna Underhill, who will now bring the dairy showcase model to the… Read More
Lameness can have a significant impact on a dairy cow’s health, longevity, and productivity. Are dairy farmers doing a better job preventing lameness on their farms than they have in the past? What risk factors can producers better manage to reduce lameness on their farms? Those are questions University of Calgary graduate student Michelle van… Read More
Growers looking to place dry fertilizer in-furrow with seed in cereal crops will want to take a look at the new Avatar SD40 single disc air seeder from Horsch. The launch of the Avatar SD40 marks the German engineering company’s first entry into the North American single disc air seeder market. Horsch product manager Jeremy Hughes explains what really makes the… Read More
Reproduction performance on Canadian dairy farms is getting better but there’s still room for improvement. That’s the message Mark Cason, EastGen Genetics reproductive solutions manager, shared with producers attending the Western Canadian Dairy Seminar at Red Deer, Alta., earlier this month. Carson’s insights are based on analysis of CanWest DHI herds greater than 150 cows from… Read More
Herbicide resistance will sneak up on you if you don’t change up your management practices from time to time. Steve Shirtliffe works to help farmers develop strategies to keep resistance issues at bay. He is a professor at the University of Saskatchewan, and I caught up to him at the recent CropConnect conference at Winnipeg,… Read More