A plot of white beans at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s (AAFC) Harrow research farm is part of a new four-site study taking a sandblasting-style approach to weed control in Canadian crops. “No, it’s not a joke,” begins a news release from the federal agriculture ministry about the research into what’s being called “abrasive or projectile […] Read more
Research team looks at sandblasting-style weed control
Projectile method needs work to tackle between-row growth
McDonald’s and McCain partner to boost regenerative soil practices
A new partnership between McDonald’s and McCain Foods will invest $1 million in regenerative soil education and practices for Canadian potato production. “Through our shared vision with McDonald’s Canada, we are focused on supporting our growers in accelerating the transition to the key principles of regenerative agriculture,” said Jeremy Carter, McCain Foods’ western Canada agriculture […] Read more
Advances in optical grading increase potato sorting efficiencies
New equipment for vegetable growers can increase productivity
Potato farmers are seeking avenues to increase productivity, lower costs and comply with environmental regulations. “We’ve tried to pull together the equipment to go right from planting, fertilizer, spraying, irrigation, harvesting, storing,” said Dan Mann, vice-president of HJV Engineering. “And then coming out of storage, washing, packing and right to the end user.” Why it […] Read more
Private potato breeder hopes new variety can go commercial
Peter VanderZaag puts his chips on SP327 variety he developed
Peter VanderZaag is cautiously optimistic that SP327 will be the variety that finally makes it to the chipping big leagues. The SP327, developed by VanderZaag at Sunrise Potato in Alliston, has already shown consistency in fry tests throughout winter storage, with glucose levels remaining stable and low, providing a desirable colour and an ideal shape. […] Read more
Old invention shows promise for weed control in potatoes
Originally designed for insect larvae, the potato vine crusher lowers germination rate of weed seeds
An invention originally designed to control European corn borer in potatoes has shown potential to reduce weed seeds during potato harvest. Dr. Andrew McKenzie-Gopsill, a research scientist with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, recently discussed the advantages of minimizing weed seeds during harvest to reduce pressure in potato crops. Then a colleague suggested an invention that […] Read more
Fairfax proposes takeover of Recipe dining group
Chains include The Keg, Swiss Chalet, Harvey's
Reuters — Recipe Unlimited Corp. said on Tuesday shareholder and investment firm Fairfax Financial Holdings has proposed to take the Canadian restaurant operator private for $1.23 billion, sending its shares up nearly 50 per cent. The offer price marks a premium of more than 53 per cent to Recipe’s last close. The shares have fallen […] Read more
Alberta crops improve tremendously over last year
Crops in Alberta remain in good shape as the latest crop report noted all crops across the province are 72 per cent good to excellent. That’s a huge improvement compared to this time last year when drought pushed crops down to 20 per cent good to excellent. Rain, especially in June proved to be very […] Read more
P.E.I. finance minister moves to ag file
Darlene Compton named agriculture minister in shuffle
Prince Edward Island’s deputy premier now handles the provincial agriculture file following a cabinet shuffle Friday. Premier Dennis King has named Darlene Compton, MLA for the riding of Belfast-Murray River, as minister of agriculture and land, justice and public safety minister and attorney general, replacing Stanhope-Marshfield MLA Bloyce Thompson. Thompson, who had handled the ag […] Read more
Drought conditions remain in Alberta, Saskatchewan
MarketsFarm — After copious amounts of precipitation alleviated the most severe drought conditions in Saskatchewan and Alberta, there were still some areas dealing with extreme dryness entering July, according to the Canadian Drought Monitor. At the end of June, only 22 per cent of the Prairie region was classified in the Abnormally Dry (D0) to […] Read more
Crop conditions in Alberta see remarkable turnaround
MarketsFarm – As the heydays of summer approach, Alberta reported that its crops were in good shape. The crop report placed all crops in the province at 75 per cent good to excellent, slightly above the five-year average. The rains throughout June were credited with the turnaround, but overall growth and development remained somewhat behind […] Read more
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