VIDEO: The pros and cons of vertical tillage

Conclusion? More research needed to know if it's the right choice for producers

Wet springs have some farmers thinking about more tillage, including vertical tillage. Marla Rieckman, a Landscape Stewardship Specialist, with Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives (MAFRD) spoke with Manitoba Co-operator reporter Allan Dawson about vertical tillage at the 2014 Crop Diagnostic School at the University of Manitoba’s Carman facility on July 17. Watch a UAV

John Heard (centre) of Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Development says the 2014 Crop Diagnostic School, which was sold out this year, keeps evolving to agronomists’ needs.  photo: allan dawson

2014 Crop Diagnostic School sold out

The diagnostic school continues to evolve to meet the needs of Manitoba agronomists


The 2014 Crop Diagnostic School was sold out this year, proof that after almost 20 years the school has something new to teach. “We’re flattered by the interest,” John Heard, the school’s ringmaster and soil fertility specialist with Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Development (MAFRD), said in an interview July 17. “It has been a


UAV demonstration at the 2014 Crop Diagnostic School.

VIDEO: Drone flies up, up and away

2014 Crop Diagnostic School demonstrated flying a UAV

Rejean Picard, a farm production advisor with Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Development, demonstrated an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) during the Crop Diagnostic School at the University of Manitoba’s Carman facility July 17, 2014. UAV’s hold a lot of potential for scouting crops. The video begins with Picard explaining how to power up the UAV.

VIDEO: 2014 Crop Diagnostic School

Technology playing a key role in crop scouting, providing value and efficiency in field management

Manitoba Co-operator reporter Allan Dawson interviews John Heard of Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Development about the 2014 Crop Diagnostic School organized by Manitoba Agriculture and the University of Manitoba at the university’s Carman facility. Video by Allan Dawson


New technology, drones and gadgets part of 2014 Crop Diagnostic School

There’s also a one-day Organic Diagnostic Clinic July 18

New field-scouting tools, including drones, will be part of this year’s Crop Diagnostic School at the University of Manitoba’s Ian N. Morrison Research Farm at Carman. The annual event that provides agronomists and farmers with hands-on, in-field learning, runs July 4 to 11 and July 14 to 17. During the mornings, Crop Diagnostic School participants

What spring wheat variety is right for you?

Pest and disease challenges are reducing AC Barrie acreage, 
but the alternatives require some careful thought

Just a few short years ago the questions surrounding planting spring wheat were fairly straightforward — such as how many acres and how did it pencil out. A question that very rarely came up in Manitoba was what variety to plant — it was all but certain that the seed that went into the ground


Seed early with caution

Whether they survive or fail, these early seeding plots will provide some valuable data on seeding dates

Extension agronomist Anastasia Kubinec wasn’t heeding her own advice to farmers the first week of April. She was seeding — but not because she’s banking on pulling in a bin-buster. Rather, she’s betting on a bust. Kubinec, Manitoba Agriculture and Rural Initiatives’ oilseed specialist, wants to demonstrate the risks of seeding too early, especially frost-sensitive

Herbicides Can Set Back Stressed Crops

Herbicides are designed to help crops but they can also hurt them when they’re under stress as many are this year. Herbicide-tolerant groups are no exception, Anastasia Kubinec, Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives’ (MAFRI) oilseeds specialist told the 16th annual Crop Diagnostic School organized by MAFRI and University of Manitoba July 5. “If your


Flax Is The 97-Pound Weakling Of Crops

Flax is a wimp. That’s why weed and disease control and fertility are key to getting a good yield, says Anastasia Kubinec, Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives’ (MAFRI) oilseeds specialist. “Flax hasn’t had the genetic improvement like canola,” she told those attending the 16th annual Crop Diagnostic School organized by MAFRI and University of

Rely On Management, Not The Book

Growing canola has gotten easier since herbicide-tolerant varieties were commercialized 20 years ago, but pulling off high yields still requires good management. “You just can’t seed the crop and walk away from it,” Anastasia Kubinec, Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives’ (MAFRI) oilseeds specialist told those at the 16th annual Crop Diagnostic School organized by