Taking advantage of the Decade of Family Farming
It seemed like a rare opportunity to bring agriculture to the fore when, in 2014, the United Nations’ General Assembly declared it to be the International Year of Family Farming. At the time, it said the declaration was to “raise the profile of family farming and smallholder farming by focusing world attention on its significant role in eradicating hunger… Read More
Soybean School: Assessing stand establishment 30 days after emergence
Your soybeans likely well-emerged in Manitoba, which means it’s time to take a look at stand establishment. This can sometimes be an overwhelming task when you are dealing with a few acres. In this episode of RealAgriculture’s Soybean School, Kara Oosterhuis talks to Dennis Lange, who is the interseed development specialist with Manitoba Agriculture, about… Read More
Will single-use plastic ban impact agriculture? Perhaps not in the way you might think
While agriculture plastics were not mentioned in the federal government’s recent pledge to ban single-use plastics, the pre-campaign promise certainly has many asking if ag plastics, such as twine, bale wrap, and grain bags, might end up being impacted. According to Christina Seidel, executive director of the Recycling Council of Alberta, the federal government’s direction… Read More
Beef Market Update: Don’t get yourself into the “shoulda, woulda, coulda” pattern
At the 106th Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association annual general meeting, Gateway Livestock Exchange’s Anne Wasko presented on the current situation in the beef markets. The theme of the two-day convention was Strategies for Success, and in this episode of the RealAgriculture Beef Market Update, Wasko goes over just that. She says the biggest topic she’s… Read More
June WASDE and weather boosts — this week in the grain markets
Grain prices gained a lot of ground this week as the complex was supported by a bullish WASDE report from the USDA and wet weather from Mother Nature. In contrast to last week, the hard red spring wheat ticker in Minneapolis was the only one in red this week. On the flip-side, corn and winter… Read More
St. Lawrence Seaway shipping season off to a strong start
After ice blocked many ships from reaching ports in April, the latest numbers show that cargo shipments via the St. Lawrence Seaway rebounded in May. According to The St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation, shipments from March 22 to May 31 totalled 8.3 million metric tons, equaling last year’s performance. Tim Heney, CEO of Thunder Bay… Read More
Addressing gumming in pulse width modulation sprayers
While pulse width modulation (PWM) offers much to pesticide application – variable rates, individual nozzle control – it’s not without its challenges, namely “gumming up.” “It has a moving part – it’s called a poppet,” explains Tom Wolf of Sprayers 101, on RealAg Radio. “It looks like a little piston moving inside a cylinder. So… Read More
Exchange rates, market uncertainty push ag equipment sales down
The numbers are out, and according to the Association of Equipment Manufacturers’ May ag tractor and combine report, equipment sales could be much better. Canada “We’re kind of disappointed with the latest Canadian ag tractor and combine reports,” says the Association of Equipment Manufacturers’ Curt Blades. “We’ve started seeing softness across all the categories that… Read More
Wheat School: Proper timing of PGRs for maximum effectiveness
If you are planning on applying a plant growth regulator to your wheat crop, you are most likely aware that proper timing is critical to success. But how do we know when that timing is right to get the most out of your crop? In this episode of RealAgriculture’s Wheat School, Jeremy Boychyn, agronomy research… Read More
Setting a course for agriculture in Ontario’s classrooms
Glenna Banda has been on the job for just one month, but she has a clear vision of agricultural education in Ontario’s classrooms. Banda is the new executive director of AgScape, Ontario’s ag in the classroom organization, which has worked with Ontario educators since 1991 to build awareness and understanding of the importance of our… Read More
Why farmers need to out-activist the activists
Yet another undercover animal abuse video rolled out last week, filmed months ago by animal rights “activists,” and released just as tweets and photos celebrating June as Dairy Month began. In the same week, mainstream media published several stories following up on what many farmers had brought forward at the Standing Committee on Agriculture: that… Read More
Wheat Pete’s Word, June 12: Straw options, plant sunburns, and helping your neighbour
What a difference a week makes! While there are still areas struggling to get acres in, many parts of Ontario got enough of a dry window to jam thousands of acres in. The west continues to struggle with a lack of rainfall, though some areas in Alberta got snow. Yes, snow. In this week’s Wheat… Read More
USDA dramatically lowers U.S. corn yield projection
The USDA showed no fear in taking a stand on the projected corn yield in today’s World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE). Whether due to the late planting dates, unfit soil or pollination timing, the USDA adjusted corn yield dramatically to the downside, while leaving soybeans untouched. The USDA dropped the projected corn yield… Read More
Speak up: What it’s like to compete in public speaking competitions
Public speaking. For you 4-H-ers out there, you’ve probably competed in an agricultural-based public speaking competition before, whether it was to your excitement, or you were doing it because it was mandatory in your district. Growing up outside of the 4-H sphere, and not living in a big centre, these were skills I didn’t really… Read More
Corn School: Helping seedlings survive cement-like soils
Ontario’s corn crop — such that it is — is pretty much planted, as most growers are now turning their focus to soybeans. Across the province during the past month, corn was planted into a range of wet, miserable conditions. The question now is how will the seedlings handle the tough going and what can… Read More
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Government of Canada announces first-ever national food policy
June 17 2019
Following consultation with the food and agriculture industries along with individual Canadians, the federal government has announced the first-ever...Read more
$1.2M in land donated to Olds College Smart Farm
June 13 2019
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Bio-Sul Premium Plus is the next-generation fertilizer for a sustainable future. With over a million acres spread in Alberta alone, Bio-Cycle...Read more
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RealAg Radio, June 14: Beef markets, political engagement, and strong port exports
June 14 2019
Today on the show: Top ag news with RealAgriculture’s Jessika Guse; A beef market update with Gateway Livestock’s Anne Wasko; Devin Dreeshen,...Read more