Bigger seed changes the canola seeding equation

The best chance for maximizing canola yields is a plant population of eight to 10 plants per square foot and a minimum of five throughout the growing season, says Doug Moisey, an extension agronomist with the Canola Council of Canada. “Typically when you have four to five plants per square foot or higher your yield

Sporadic showers slow seeding progress

Provincial Summary  Variable precipitation over the past week slowed seeding progress in some areas;  Seeding is 20 to 25 per cent complete in the Southwest Region, 55 per cent complete in the Northwest Region, 60 to 75 per cent complete in the Central Region and 75 per cent complete in both the Eastern and Interlake


Keeping an eye on tame pastures

Agri-News / Pasture assessments help producers decide if a pasture needs to be rejuvenated and if so, how best to rejuvenate it. The Alberta Tame Pasture Scorecard is a quick and easy way of doing a pasture assessment. The Sustainable Resource Development Health Assessment forms are another good tool that provides a more detailed assessment.

COMMUNITY PASTURES: Business as usual this summer

The province is still mulling options as 
federal government plans to phase out its role in community pasture management

It will be business as usual this summer, despite the recent announcement by the federal government that it is getting out of the community pasture business. “Hopefully, by this fall, as people are taking their cattle out of pastures, it’ll be clear what to expect for next year,” said Robert Fleming, director of policy and


Water management — drainage is expensive, but so is flooding

Panellists at last winter’s Potato Production Days discussed
options for handling the excess rain of recent years

Any farmer will tell you that flooding is a major hassle and cost to any farm when it happens — but just how big that bill can be has always been a bit of a guess. A recent report by BMO Economics (Bank of Montreal) put a figure on it though, says Dr. Ranjan Sri

Green manures fit the forage seed bill

For organic farmers, the first step in putting in any crop involves manure, either brown or green. Animal manures offer a wide range of benefits from basic plant nutrients to micronutrients, as well as a cascading benefit derived from its microbial content. However, that kind of manure is often available only in limited quantities, is


CSA pioneers say market gardening works for them

Most of the local food grown 
by Theresa and Geoff Dyck is 
consumed in Winnipeg 
but they would love to 
sell to the cottage crowd

Geoff and Theresa Dyck drop tiny pepper plants into pressed earth squares with the ease of people who have done it before — many, many times before. “We always remind ourselves when we are tired or cranky and there are mosquitos… that we are not punching a clock,” says Theresa. “We are making our own

Community pastures still open for now

To ensure long-term prosperity for farmers and the entire agricultural value chain, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) is refocusing on the changing priorities of the agriculture industry. Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz today reassured patrons of the Community Pasture Program that all pastures will remain open for the 2012 season. “No pastures will be affected this


Seeding in full swing across province

Weekly Provincial Summary  Favourable weather and seedbed conditions permitted good seeding progress across most regions in Manitoba.  Seeding is 10 per cent complete in the southwest region, less than five per cent complete in the northwest region, 50 per cent complete in the central region, 40 per cent complete in the eastern region and 70

Drainage a contentious issue province-wide

It comes as no surprise to the president of the Association of Manitoba Municipalities to hear of drainage issues causing conflict within a community. “You could have two neighbours who get along just fine, and then it rains and they are at each other’s necks. There will always be frustration around drainage,” said Doug Dobrowolski.