Reading Time: 6 minutes On-farm research trials help producers make better management decisions and in the greater scheme of things might help other farmers refine their agronomic decisions as well. Those are two of the main reasons Alberta producers Roy Newman of Okotoks and Devin Hartzler of Carstairs have been involved in some aspect of on-farm research trials for […] Read more
On-farm research helps producers evaluate best crop options
Being a “co-operator”with seed and crop protection companies or applied research organizations yields more than just a number of bushels
Research on the farm
After observing higher yield in some fields, an agronomist worked with a farmer client to set up a trial that yielded practical results
Reading Time: 8 minutes On-farm research is one of those things that sounds great in theory, especially with the technology at hand today. But how can agronomists and farmers reap results they can use, and count on? Saskatchewan crop consultant Mike Palmier offers one case study. Working with a farming client, he’s found that leaving taller crop stubble in […] Read more
Agronomists give predictions at Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show 2024
Reading Time: 2 minutes Tar spot is present is nearly every Ontario corn field this season due to a wetter spring.
MNP to launch agronomy practice
Company to consolidate six agronomy firms under MNP umbrella
Reading Time: < 1 minute MNP will consolidate six Prairie agronomy firms into its own practice, the accounting and professional services company announced today.
Flax production lowest since 1967, StatCan predicts
Returns on effort invested 'not attractive right now'
Reading Time: 2 minutes MarketsFarm — After going into its least acres seeded since 1950, the 2023-24 Canadian flax crop is projected to be at its smallest in decades. Statistics Canada (StatCan) reported in its principal field crop estimates on Thursday that 267,900 tonnes of flaxseed are expected to be produced in this year’s harvest. The total not only […] Read more
Sampling plant tissue for a mid-season boost
Precision ag technology provides an opportunity to determine if applications are effective
Reading Time: 5 minutes Growers are challenged to achieve the highest yields with the least inputs, and more agronomists, advisors, technicians and researchers are interested helping them focus on specific soil and plant needs such as what macronutrients and micronutrients are needed, and when and where is best to use them. The 2022 growing season was the first year […] Read more
Supply chain working but canola groups have concerns
Federal field trials need to continue and growers need protective equipment, they say
Reading Time: < 1 minute There have been no issues so far with supplies of inputs and parts, transportation or oilseed processing during the pandemic, canola industry officials report. “We’ve been really focused on making sure farmers have access to inputs and resources to get the 2020 crop in the ground,” Canola Council of Canada president Jim Everson said during […] Read more
At a glance: 10 tips to improve survival of your canola seed
Reading Time: 2 minutes Only about 50 to 60 per cent of canola seeds survive to become productive plants, on average. With the following tips, canola farmers can increase seed survival and get more from their seed investment. 1. Seed shallow. Half an inch to one inch below the packer furrow is the recommended seed depth for canola. This […] Read more
Farming Smarter to make research pay
What’s the best way to fund local research when the usual sources dry up? This research group has new ideas
Reading Time: 5 minutes By keeping its efforts limited to southern Alberta, Farming Smarter, a farmer-led applied research and extension service, is proving it can respond quickly to local crop producers’ immediate needs. “We’re focused on creating opportunities and dealing with issues that farmers themselves face,” explains general manager Ken Coles. “It’s about crop producers saying, for example, ‘We […] Read more
Taking a long-term look at agronomy for canola
Researchers say canola’s environmental footprint has improved but a new agronomic struggle is on the horizon
Reading Time: 4 minutes Canola-based rotation systems can improve long-term sustainability by using less energy and storing carbon below the ground, but keeping them going on top is proving to be a challenge. A study by Saskatchewan Research Council’s Susan MacWilliam, along with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada research scientist Reynald Lemke and others, compared the impact of changing management […] Read more
A message from April Stewart, Country Guide's Associate Editor
