The factors involved in weed management decisions vary greatly from farm to farm, so many herbicide research projects deal with variances in weather, soil and weed population presence. Products and even rates, for example, will often be catered to a specific soil zone. And, with the growing threat of herbicide resistance, it boils down to... Read More
Category: Crop Production
Results from a seed test could shape several management decisions made at seeding — from fine-tuning the seeding rate to determining the viability of the seed lot for seed at all. Though damaged seeds and vigour issues can be assessed, arguably the biggest factor for consideration in seed test results is the type and level... Read More
Grains are seeing more premium priced in this week as the complex continues to deal with cold weather in North America and the political unrest in Eastern Europe. Due to depreciating currencies and affordable financing available, it’s expected that grain and oilseed acres and production in the Black Sea will decline significantly from last year.... Read More
Calling them the soybeans of Alberta isn't being fair to soybeans, but faba beans are enjoying a similar surge in popularity, due in part to the crop's ability to fix its own nitrogen and broaden farmers' marketing options. Being a relatively new (or newly popular, depending on how you look at it) crop for many... Read More
UAVs (drones) have become the newest crop scouting tool for farmers to implement on the farm. Last year you maybe knew one farmer that owned one. This year I bet you can name five to 10. I know I can, and that's just in my local area. Indiana farmer, Brian Scott is going to put... Read More
Managing for nitrogen losses in crop production is important, absolutely, but N isn't the only nutrient at risk of being lost from the plant's refrigerator. Phosphorus, that other macro-nutrient we know and love, is also subject to losses — and while losses may go relatively unnoticed in the cropping system, our lakes are rivers pay... Read More
Ontario isn’t letting politically charged energy issues such as the ongoing gas plant cancellation controversy get in its way of its clean air policy development…and neither should farmers. Regardless of what party is in office after the next election, over the past couple of weeks it’s become even clearer the future of energy production here... Read More
Phosphorus management is and must be a long term proposition. Phosphorus behaves very differently than nitrogen in the soil, as it binds tightly to soil particles and releases slowly over time. This is good and bad — it's not subject to the same loss risk that N is, but it also means that sometimes the... Read More
It's worrisome, though not terribly surprising, that Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Development (MAFRD) announced today confirmed glyphosate resistant kochia biotypes were found in the province. MAFRD jointly conducted a kochia survey across Manitoba in the fall of 2013, in conjunction with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (the Saskatoon Research Centre) and the University of Manitoba,... Read More
In this episode of the Corn School, Bernard Tobin and OMAF Corn Lead Greg Stewart turn to a chalkboard to draw up some nitrogen strategies for the 2014 corn crop. Throughout the winter meeting season, Stewart touted a split application approach to nitrogen. He recommends growers put down 100 lb of nitrogen pre-plant and then... Read More