Reading Time: 7 minutes What’s vertical tillage? It seems like a simple three-word question, and you’d expect the answer to be just as straightforward. But no matter which farmer, equipment dealer or agronomist you ask, or how many times you ask them, you’re likely to get a different answer every time. In no small part that’s because the focus […] Read more
The evolution of vertical tillage
It’s how you use your deep tiller that makes all the difference in crop performance
Brave new world of corn
It can feel like the glory days are over for corn, until you take a harder look
Reading Time: 7 minutes It’s easy enough to get pessimistic about corn these days. Just look at Chicago prices, or look at all the news reports from all around the world about the tremendous corn production potential of everywhere from Brazil to Ukraine. Or you could look closer to home, and get a dose of optimism. That’s what Ken […] Read more
On the rebound
Higher premiums and strong global demand are rekindling interest in IP soybeans
Reading Time: 6 minutes Ask anyone involved in identity-preserved (IP) or non-GMO soybean trade, and there’s plenty to say in favour of Canada’s reputation abroad and its leadership in quality. Unfortunately, they’ll also tell you that it’s been a tough go in the past two or three years. Since 2010, as total soybean production in Canada has increased, the […] Read more
The big change
It’s a safe bet that today’s tough market outlook is already fuelling the next big wave of farm innovation. But which innovation?
Reading Time: 9 minutes It wasn’t so long ago that the talk at farm meetings was of how everything was different this time. Demand would never fade. The emerging middle classes of the world’s developing nations were hungry and they were ready to pay. Plus, as if that wasn’t enough, new government policies in favour of biofuels had shot […] Read more
Tufted vetch takes off
Tufted vetch not a new weed, just a different weed challenge
Reading Time: 3 minutes The battle with weeds just never seems to end, and now, as if resistant weeds, dandelions or Eastern black nightshade don’t provide enough challenges, there’s some concern that tufted vetch will be a growing issue for an increasing number of farmers. To be fair, Canada fleabane, giant ragweed and common ragweed are still the “Big […] Read more
The wild side of chickpeas
New genes from wild relatives will make chickpeas a better option for more farmers
Reading Time: 4 minutes It wasn’t all that long ago in Canada that it was hard to find hummus in a grocery store — unless you went to a specialty shop. “Now hummus is everywhere!” says Bunyamin Tar’an, associate professor at the University of Saskatchewan. “Any food store you go to has it, so it’s a growing market, and […] Read more
Fine tuning for weeds
With more resistance, it’s time to be sure we’re using the right words the right way
Reading Time: 4 minutes In Ontario alone, farmers are now facing three different weeds with resistance to glyphosate, and a considerably longer list of those that are resistant to Group 2 chemistries. No one is blaming farmers, or saying today’s farmers aren’t as sharp as their parents. After all, today’s farmers have had to learn about new pests, new […] Read more
A faster start
Cigi takes on early-generation testing in support of new wheat varieties
Reading Time: 3 minutes Testing early-generation samples is an important part of a process that is ultimately intended to improve the quality of Canadian wheat varieties. To support this process, the facilities at Cigi (the Canadian International Grains Institute) were put to the test from last November to the end of March, with more grain samples than ever coming […] Read more
12 insect tips for canola
Use these management tips throughout the growing season for effective, economic and practical insect control
Reading Time: 5 minutes Diamondback moths are in a deadly battle in canola fields — yet their primary adversary isn’t the grower. In fact, producers are learning to leave low populations of diamondback moth larvae alone because, in many cases, well-established beneficial insects will prevent the pest from becoming a major economic problem. The main parasitoids of diamondback moth […] Read more
What is the best way to clean your sprayer?
#PestPatrol with Mike Cowbrough, OMAF and MRA
Reading Time: 2 minutes Cleaning the sprayer is a critical part of every spray day. Pesticide residues clog and corrode equipment and can injure crops. So what is the best process for sprayer cleanout? Operators should clean out their sprayers every time they switch pesticides, but respondents of a survey conducted by Colorado State University in 2013 said they […] Read more
A message from April Stewart, Country Guide's Associate Editor
