If you attended this year’s canolaPALOOZA in Lacombe, you might still be singing Don Ho’s Tiny Bubbles. The 1966 release drifted through the air alongside hundreds, if not thousands, of tiny iridescent soap bubbles. The bubbles — and the hit earworm — were part of a spray demonstration that was organized to help producers visualize spray droplets,… Read More
Category: Tradeshows & Events
When it comes to row-by-row seed distribution, let’s just say there’s room to improve the accuracy of bulk metering systems on many air seeders. “Right now in the marketplace, with bulk metering that delivers the product through those manifolds, the deviation is approximately 20 to 23 percent throughout industry at this time,” says Owen Kinch,… Read More
Grains had another red-banner week…red being the colour that grain markets were wearing basically all week as weather risk premium and fund selling continued to plague the bulls. Rains from last weekend through next week are massively discounting the threat of high heat and high humidity being felt by those in major grain-growing regions across… Read More
How often do you check to make sure tire air pressure is appropriate for the tire type and conditions? Higher inflation can increase compaction and reduce soil productivity, as was demonstrated at the Ag in Motion show at Langham, Sask. this week. As Michelin’s Mike Pantaleo explains in this video, they dug two soil pits, filled them with… Read More
If there was a “celebrity” category for machinery, Versatile’s one-of-a-kind four-axle, articulated tractor might top the list. Nearly everyone who passed by it at Ag in Motion this week stopped to take or pose for a photo with “Big Roy.” As part of the company’s 50th anniversary celebration, Versatile unveiled the fully-restored 600 horsepower machine… Read More
A Dutch tractor manufacturer has developed a stabilizer system to improve safety and driver comfort when operating articulated loader tractors. Giant’s Stabilo System made its Canadian debut at Canada’s Farm Progress Show in Regina last month, participating in the Farm Progress Innovation Showcase. As Frank Michielsen of Prairie Side Equipment at Taber, Alberta explains in this short… Read More
The word “biosecurity” can conjure up some interesting images, not limited to an overabundance of showers, hard-drives of paperwork and hazmat suits. But, ensuring good levels of on-farm biosecurity doesn’t have to be overwhelming. “There’s been so much focus on biosecurity as a word,” says Franklyn Garry, professor at Colorado State University, “that it does, it… Read More
Disc drill or hoe drill? Does it have to be an ‘or’ question? Since 2008, Pillar Lasers Inc., based at Warman, Saskatchewan, has been making hybrid disc/hoe openers that are designed to give the grower the best of both worlds. As Pillar’s Mike Friesen explains in this video filmed at Canada’s Farm Progress Show in… Read More
It’s a diagnosis no cattle producer wants to hear, and it’s likely much more prevalent than we realize. Caused by Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP), Johne’s causes chronic enteritis (inflammation of the intestine), diarrhea and progressive weight loss in cattle. Despite the seemingly obvious symptoms in infected animals, the disease has characteristics that can make it difficult… Read More
There are many potential stressors for cattle during transport, as Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s Karen Schwartzkopf-Genswein pointed out at the recent Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association conference and annual general meeting. Animals have to contend with handling (often by unfamiliar people), a unique environment, mixing with new animals, feed and water restrictions and the energy/focus required to remain on… Read More
SeedMaster is bringing some of its seeding technology to the application of granular herbicides and fertilizer. The Emerald Park, Saskatchewan-based company debuted its 70′ Nova Flex granular applicator bar at Canada’s Farm Progress Show ’16 in Regina. As research manager Owen Kinch explains in this video, the unit connects to SeedMaster’s Nova cart, either tow behind or… Read More
Dry conditions at seeding followed by plenty of rain left some canola growers in Western Canada wondering if their canola had enough nitrogen to reach its yield potential. As a result, there was increased interest in top-dressing N on canola this growing season. As Jack Payne, regional agronomist with Farmers Edge, explains in this Canola… Read More
As with other aspects of farming, automation is finding its way into the process of managing mortalities. Dutch Industries, based at Pilot Butte, Saskatchewan, has designed what looks like a big top-heavy green box that it calls the “BioMulcher.” The unit heats, grinds and mixes, composting up to 2,500 pounds of material per batch. “After… Read More
Farming Smarter hosted its field school in Lethbridge, AB this week. RealAgriculture’s Jason Stroeve was there and took the opportunity to speak to Farming Smarter’s assistant manager Jamie Puchinger. In the below interview, Puchinger describes this year’s agenda, which included morning sessions on herbicides and weather considerations for spraying. The afternoon offered participants the opportunity to choose their… Read More
It’s easy to jump to conclusions when diagnosing issues in livestock. But, when a team from the University of Calgary, stumbled upon a case of lameness that just didn’t seem to be going away, they knew to look beyond the oft-blamed culprit of footrot. “This was a very experienced producer. He had a lot of animals,… Read More