Agriculture Archives - Page 22 of 415

Harvest goes hands free

British researchers have put automation to test in the farm field

By Manitoba Co-operator Staff November 14, 2017

A U.K. research project has planted, tended and harvested the first crop — of spring barley — that’s never seen direct human labour. Hands Free Hectare was aiming to test the concept in the field and consciously chose smaller machinery, said Jonathan Gill, a researcher at Harper University. “There’s been a focus in recent years

The Manitoba Organic Alliance announced the working group Oct. 23 during its annual meeting in Brandon.

Crops, Local news

Organic Alliance says crop insurance needs an update on organic production

Organic growers argue that insurance excludes critical production practices, but change may come with some real logistical problems, according to MASC

By Alexis Stockford November 8, 2017

Organic farmers in Manitoba hope a new working group will help solve long-standing crop insurance issues. The body will have members from both the Manitoba Organic Alliance (MOA) and Manitoba Agricultural Services Corporation (MASC). “There’s definite improvements that need to be made, so we want to know what the timeline on that is,” MOA president

Tom Noffsinger introduces the basics of low-stress cattle handling during a talk in Brandon Oct. 16.

Livestock, Local news

Workshops pitch less stress for cattle and farmer

Talks and workshops cover the basics of low-stress cattle handling

By Alexis Stockford November 7, 2017

It’s time to start thinking like cattle when it comes to moving animals. That’s the message Tom Noffsinger had for cattle producers during a string of low-stress cattle-handling workshops and talks near Brandon through the end of October. Three events were put on through Merck Animal Health, including a public talk Oct. 16 and field

Standing corn may be a viable way for Manitoba producers to extend their grazing season, but there are a few things  to watch for.

Beef cattle, Livestock

Standing corn an option for extended beef grazing

An extended grazing season may be cheaper with standing corn, but there are a few dos and don’ts to keep in mind

By Alexis Stockford November 7, 2017

If a cow is grazing, you don’t have to feed it. It’s a deceptively simple statement, and the basis for many cattle producers looking at extended grazing to cut costs. Farmers have looked at bale grazing, forage stockpiling and swath grazing, among others; but another grazing system has caught the interest of some beef producers,

Beef producers are being asked to fill out a survey on cattle losses during this fall’s district meetings.

Livestock, Local news

MBP seeks producer data on predation losses

Beef operators are urged to fill out a survey and help assess the extent of the problem

By Lorraine Stevenson November 7, 2017

Manitoba Beef Producers needs members to put some numbers to what they say is the impact predators are having on the provincial beef herd. They repeatedly hear about losses and producers now make impassioned pleas to have something done about the pressure on herds, particularly from wolf attacks, general manager Brian Lemon told district meetings which

Comment/Feedback, Oilseeds

USDA forecast puts soybeans in uncharted territory

Acreage is up but production down in the latest USDA monthly crop production report

By Karen Braun November 6, 2017

Just when analysts thought they had figured out the pattern in the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s U.S. soybean forecasts, the agency’s latest estimate broke form and created even more uncertainty in the market. In its monthly U.S. crop production report on Oct. 19, USDA increased harvested area of the oilseed by 740,000 acres but lowered

Livestock Markets, Markets

Rising Chicago futures support Manitoba values

Availability of trucks may soon become a market issue

By Ashley Robinson - MarketsFarm November 3, 2017

Cattle prices rose at Manitoba auction marts during the week ended Oct. 27, as futures prices on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange helped push up sales. “Just about every day it’s been positive (on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange) and that’s what is holding the market probably together on the feeder cattle,” said Robin Hill with Heartland

Comment/Feedback, Crops

Winter wheat planting lags in U.S.

The big question is if it’s weather related or a sign of shifting grower intentions

By Karen Braun October 30, 2017

There’s little doubt the planting of the 2018-19 U.S. winter wheat crop is off to what could be the slowest start in history. But the most jarring fact is that the lag appears to be at its worst in the top-producing state, Kansas, which brings the intended acreage — and thus production potential — under

Dr. Alan Moulin takes tour attendees through the field.

Crops

Measuring tillage impact

There may be a middle path that gives the best results

By Alexis Stockford October 17, 2017

Conventional wisdom says less tillage is better when it comes to soil structure, but the issue is more complex when comparing organic soil health to zero till, according to Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada researcher Dr. Alan Moulin. Moulin’s team looked at “soil aggregates,” or how soil particles bind together into larger groups, under high-input conventional

The University of Manitoba’s Martin Entz, an agriculture professor and cropping systems specialist, suspects reduced tillage and organic production may not be mutually exclusive.

Crops

Can organic no till work in the field?

Environmental benefit is part of organic market value, but organic weed management usually means tillage, commonly considered a black mark for soil health. Is there a middle ground?

By Alexis Stockford October 17, 2017

Hairy vetch may be the key to reducing tillage in organic farming, at least in the short term. Martin Entz, a professor and agriculture systems expert from the University of Manitoba has been looking at mulches for organic weed suppression, rather than the tillage typically used. “We found that when we used the right mulch,

Daily Network News

Feed Grains Weekly: Good export demand pushing up domestic prices

Beef DNA testing now available in Canada

Domestic abuse survivors may need extra support when livestock is involved, experts say

Tag Archives Agriculture