Reading Time: 8 minutes The off-label application of pesticides in Canada is going to increase exponentially over the next few years. This is what I believe and expect, and I expect too that it will pit farmers, government regulators, pesticide companies, equipment manufacturers and environmentalists against one another. In fact, the blame game has already started. At issue is […] Read more
Summer Series: Drone spraying
[Change Management] Farmers really don’t care who is to blame for the delays. They just want the regulations changed yesterday so they can spray tomorrow
Farmers are losing the perception battle on food prices
[Make It Count: The Battle] No wonder consumers are confused. One moment we say the carbon tax will drive up the cost of food. The next we say it can’t
Reading Time: 6 minutes Like many farmers I am worried about the the misunderstandings the general public has about farming and where their food comes from. This concern has prompted me to spend many hours in classrooms talking to students about agriculture. For a number of years, I was a regional co-ordinator for the classroom agriculture program arranging speakers […] Read more
Sustainability must be farmer-driven
Others talk about sustainability but do precious little about it. Farmers actually get it done
Reading Time: 6 minutes It seems I cannot pick up a farm paper, click on an ag website, listen to a newscast about food, or attend a workshop without hearing about the need for farm sustainability. For 106 years my family has farmed the same land. That’s a lot longer than most of the local businesses that we purchase […] Read more
It’s time to be paid for oil content in canola
Farmers are encouraged to select varieties and use production practices to boost oil content, but they don’t get paid for it on the driveway
Reading Time: 8 minutes Growers have been paid for high protein in wheat for more than 40 years. It’s time they’re also paid for high oil content in canola. Discussions on paying oil premiums have been around for years, culminating about a decade ago when a major push by farmers and farm organizations for the introduction of oil premiums […] Read more
TELUS targets the farm
Maybe it used to be just a telephone company, but the TELUS of today is assembling a powerful list of technology services that it says will shape tomorrow’s agriculture. In fact, you may already have bought in without knowing it
Reading Time: 6 minutes Farmers have seen the consolidation of equipment dealerships, input suppliers, grain companies, and feedlots. Consolidation of farms themselves has and is occurring. So should we be surprised that consolidation of ag data companies is now happening? TELUS has entered the agricultural industry in a big way. Yes, TELUS, the outfit that many farmers view as […] Read more
Lack of choice in herbicide options
There may be dozens of brands, but when it comes to choosing herbicide groups to avoid resistance, your options are limited
Reading Time: 5 minutes Given the possibility of supply shortages of agricultural inputs, including herbicides, I’ve spent more time this winter than most looking into which herbicides have the best fit for my farm. I would much rather purchase now than scramble in the spring, seeking herbicides unavailable or in short supply. Early planning has also prompted me to […] Read more
Is farming on the cusp of being redefined?
The future could be much better than today. But will we decide that we want it?
Reading Time: 6 minutes Farming has been described as the backbone of civilization. Without the domestication of crops and livestock, society as we know it would have been impossible. So, since it’s so important, everyone knows what farming is, right? If you ask a random group of people what farming is, and what role farmers play in society, you […] Read more
A better prescription for pesticides
Instead of more regulations, give farmers more information on better use of pesticides for each field and crop
Reading Time: 7 minutes This thought occurred to me as I was getting a prescription refilled. Even though I had used the drug previously, the pharmacist reviewed when and how often it was to be taken, and reminded me that it should be taken with food. This information was also clearly detailed on the label and an accompanying printout. […] Read more
Rolling coal on the rails
If Alberta approves new coal mines, how will we ship our grains to the West Coast?
Reading Time: 7 minutes The coal question is one that should be on the mind of every western Canadian grain producer, and one that every farm organization should be asking right now. It is a question that every federal, provincial and local politician representing rural ridings should be asking. Unfortunately, I don’t know of anyone who is asking it. […] Read more
Steps you can take now to prevent combine fires later
Prevention and preparation are key to protect your equipment from burning
Reading Time: 7 minutes Can anything instil more fear in farmers than the smell or sight of smoke while combining. The potential for loss in terms of equipment, crop and even life because of a fire during harvest operations is huge. Unfortunately, fires while harvesting are not uncommon. This past fall, the fire departments in the County of Forty […] Read more
A message from April Stewart, Country Guide's Associate Editor
