Have you heard of the United Nations’ (UN) “International Year of…” designations? The UN has put together various observances, as far as three years out, in an effort to help it reach its objectives on things like food security, for example. This year is the year of the family farm. Next year is the year… Read More
Category: United States
Palmer amaranth could be the next glyphosate resistance weed problem for Ontario farmers. University of Arkansas weed scientist Jason Norsworthy calls it “pigweed on steroids.” Norsworthy, who first saw glyphosate-resistant palmer amaranth in Arkansas in 2006, says the weed can grow two to three inches a day after it reaches four inches tall. “You can… Read More
Listen to this week’s market wrap-up on Soundcloud: Grains are mostly lower this week as the market chews through a bearish report from the USDA on Friday, July 11th. The only place you would’ve seen bulls roaming around was at the Calgary Stampede, I’m afraid. Managed money continues to be net sold of all grains,… Read More
I don’t mean to alarm you, farmers, but your job is in danger. Career Cast, a job-hunting site, recently released its “Most Endangered Jobs for 2014” with the role of farmer listed in the No. 2 position, faring only slightly better than the much-beleaguered mail carrier. Two things: this is not shocking, nor necessarily negative…. Read More
Kansas-based Peterson Farm Brothers — Gregory, Nathan and Kendal — haven’t just put together a fun new parody video, but they’re also using their music and blog to help share a message of environmental stewardship and sustainability. The latest song, “All I do is Farm,” seen below, is just as much fun as past parodies, but… Read More
If you’ve been drooling over the neighbour’s corn field and wondering how they managed to get such a nice looking crop, wonder no more! As Aaron Stevanus, market agronomist with PRIDE Seeds, shows us in this Corn School episode, the wins of this spring are a combination of timing, patience, homework and, yes, luck. From… Read More
By now, you’ve likely heard about or seen an ‘undercover’ video that shows terrible abuse of dairy cows on a farm in British Columbia. In the disturbing video, cows are kicked, caned or beaten up simply because they were weaker than the young workers. After that video release, dairy farmers across the country did something… Read More
Do you ever wonder where equipment manufacturers get their great new ideas? While some will get inspiration from their own on-the-farm experiences, some new innovations are dreamed up on paper long before they ever hit the field. Still other manufacturers use a collaborative approach, seeking out feedback from their customers and problem solving for them…. Read More
What limits yield on your farm? Too much water? Not enough? Low soil nutrient levels? Not enough heat? At least one scientist will tell you it’s none of the above — the most limiting factor for crop production in North America is actually soil carbon. “Our soils are starved for carbon,” says Kristine Nichols, a… Read More
One of the coolest things at Canada’s Farm Progress Show is how all of the seeding equipment manufacturers lay all their cards on the table to try and prove who is the most innovative. Regina is the home for Canada’s Farm Progress Show, and Saskatchewan is the home for some of the biggest players in… Read More
A conundrum. A quagmire. An imbroglio. Quite simply put, we’re in a bit of a predicament between some very wet conditions creating production concerns in Western Canada and the northern U.S. states, but also because the market it chewing through a neutral-to-bearish report from Statistics Canada on Friday, June 27th and a surprising USDA report… Read More
An ever-increasing global population is putting stress and strain on our existing farm land and food resources — that much we know. But what do we do about it? Launched last fall, the Good Growth Plan is Syngenta’s answer, at least in part, to that question. A global initiative with six commitments, the plan is… Read More
The Sp400F, the highest capacity sprayer in New Holland’s Guardian series, made its debut at Canada’s Farm Progress Show. The Guardian models have 300-380 horsepower, selective catalytic reduction, Tier 4B compliant engines and 1000-1600 US gallon tanks. They also have 50/50 balanced weight distribution on a four-wheel hydrostatic drive with hydraulic suspension, allowing for maximum traction, floatation and… Read More
Good forage makes money, but poor forage is money lost. Tom Kilcer, of Advanced Ag Systems in Kinderhook, NY, has spent years researching forage production, forage quality, and livestock performance. Here’s what he’s learned. Contrary to common assumptions, forage does not dry by the same mechanisms from start to finish. They are, in fact, three… Read More
This week, Winnipeg, Man., hosted the World Congress on Conservation Agriculture — a three day event that brought together research and extension staff with farmers and industry to discuss the state of conservation agriculture all over the world. Conservation agriculture, a combination of zero-tillage, cover crops, extensive crop rotation and more, looks very different from… Read More