Phosphorus acid was a much-discussed topic at Manitoba Potato Production Days in Brandon this year, and for good reason. A variety of phosphorus acid treatments, registered in Canada under the labels Phostrol, Rampart and Confine, are useful additions to growers’ tool boxes for disease control. Susan Ainsworth, a potato specialist for Syngenta in Manitoba, offered
Phosphorus acid a strong option for disease control in potatoes
Both foliar or post-harvest application are options, depending on circumstances
Potato industry looks to reduce harmful chemical compound
Stakeholders co-operate in new evaluation system focusing on reducing acrylamide that can accumulate during storage
Acrylamide reduction is a priority for a coalition of potato industry stakeholders, according to Steve Vernon, vice-president of quality and innovation for J.R. Simplot Company. Acrylamide is a potentially harmful chemical compound that is produced in potatoes cooked at high temperatures. Vernon told this year’s Manitoba Potato Production Days in Brandon that the coalition has
Biosecurity measures key to combating crop diseases
Potato wart, potato cyst nematode, bacterial wilt (or brown rot) and bacterial ring rot are all diseases of concern to Manitoba potato growers in 2015
The risk of devastating losses from potato pests can be managed through crop biosecurity measures, says Vikram Bisht, an extension plant pathologist for Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Development. As part of his presentation at Manitoba Potato Production Days in Brandon in January, Bisht issued a call to action to potato growers to stay ahead
Tips for planter and air seeder maintenance
Seeder boots need good soles too — check for wear and replace if more than half an inch is burned off the bottom
Producers in Manitoba are doing a good job making sure their equipment is in field-ready condition, according to Les Bobyk, a territory customer support manager for John Deere based in Regina, Sask. But everyone benefits from paying close attention to detail when it comes to planter and air seeder maintenance. During a presentation at North
New herbicides help producers mix up modes of action to fight resistance
Farmers can fend off herbicide-resistant weeds and make money by changing up their weed control program
How can thinking about resistance help us economically in the short and long term?” This was a question posed by Brad Ewankiw, a project manager for FMC Canada, during a presentation on FMC’s new herbicides at North Star Genetics’ annual soybean grower information day in Morris March 27. Ewankiw pointed to pre-emergent residual herbicides as
Bringing soybeans in from the cold
A Brandon research scientist is studying the effects of cool temperatures during the Manitoba growing season
A Brandon research scientist is studying how cold temperatures during the growing season can put a chill on soybean production. Ramona Mohr, who works at the Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s Brandon Research Centre, says it starts with a “chilling effect” at planting. Mohr presented preliminary results from her studies at North Star Genetics’ annual soybean
Will it be chess or checkers?
A researcher explores different ways of sustainably playing the farming game
It was standing room only in the University of Manitoba’s Carolyn Sifton Lecture Theatre Jan. 21 for a seminar entitled “Conservation agriculture, organic farming and agro-ecology: the three musketeers of a sustainable food system.” “I try to do this every year because I want to give the graduate students permission to ask tough questions and
Aphid control important in managing PVY
Newer strains of the virus have started affecting tubers as well as the foliage
Potato virus Y, a plant pathogenic virus, has recently come to the renewed attention of local and national researchers. Spread via aphids, the disease has long been recognized by its foliar symptoms and resulting crop losses. But the virus is changing. Recently, newer strains of PVY have begun producing tuber symptoms as well as foliar
Wheat is hot, oats are not as farmers load up for spring seeding
There is renewed interest in spring wheat, but growers are worried about the state of winter wheat already in the ground
Seed growers across Manitoba say wheat sales are up this year, while oats and barley are moving more slowly. “Our area is showing a renewed interest in spring wheat with some new lines that performed well in 2012 and better pricing relative to other cereal options,” said Craig Riddell of Warren-based Riddell Seed Company. “InProducer touts benefits of grass-fed beef
Bragi Simundsson says raising beef on grass is just common sense; it’s the marketing that gets complicated. “Ruminant animals like cattle and sheep were built to eat grass,” reads the Arborg farmer’s web page at www.manitoba grassfedbeef.ca. “We think that animals should do the job they were built for. We believe that the protein portion
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