Fewer Canadians are concerned about pesticides, genetic engineering and other specific food subjects. But they are worried about the overall sustainability and affordability of Canada’s food system. The conclusion comes from the latest Public Trust Research Report from the Canadian Centre for Food Integrity (CCFI). Along with widespread feelings of information overload, the report details […] Read more
Canadians like farmers but are confused by food system
Public trust report highlights “big picture” concerns
High fuel costs a burden for drying grain
Fuel is one of many cost increases for elevators and farmers
High propane and natural gas costs loom ominously over growers and grain dryers. According to Ron Campbell, operations and member service manager with the Ontario Agri-Business Association (OABA), the upward trend of per-bushel drying costs is a universal concern for the province’s grain elevators. While specific numbers for fuel are hard to identify, particularly propane, […] Read more
Tar spot poses challenge for hybrid genetics
Weather a dominant factor in pathogen development, even in tolerant varieties
Tar spot tolerance is strong in some corn hybrids, according to recent research. There are no truly immune varieties, however, and as the amount of inoculum in the region grows, weather will remain the dominant factor in the pathogen’s development from year to year. Why it matters: Tar spot is expected to become endemic in […] Read more
VIDEO: Post-harvest planning in a tough year
Field Talk with Kelsey Banks
Rain events are making post-harvest tillage and herbicide applications hard to complete – but that doesn’t mean proactive management has to stop. Farmtario contributor Matt McIntosh discusses harvest considerations and post-harvest planning with Kelsey Banks, crop representative and agronomist with Embrun Co-op.
Open access a precision sprayer option
Australian researchers publish free plans and codes for automated spot spraying tool
Interested in building your own precision sprayer? If the answer is yes, design plans and artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms are now freely available from the University of Sydney’s Precision Weed Control Lab, a research group developing site-specific weed control strategies. 2020 and 2021 saw the release and promotion of an open-source tool – or more […] Read more
Canada’s “right to repair” bill explained
Bryan May, MP for Cambridge, answers questions – what the bill seeks to address, and why he believes it’s important
A private member’s bill to allow Canadians more right to repair devices, including farm equipment, will be resurrected after it died when Parliament was prorogued for the recent election. Bill C-272 proposed to update Canada’s Copyright Act to allow Canadians more freedom to repair digital devices, including smartphones and farm equipment. Bryan May, Member of […] Read more
In-bin monitors help safeguard crops post-harvest
Monitoring systems can be considered an extension of crop management
Farmers strive to protect the crop all year. Why stop once it’s in storage? It’s a question posed by Canadian grain monitoring systems company Bin-Sense. During a virtual Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show panel session, Anthony Wideman, a Listowel-area grain grower and representative for Bin-Sense dealer Auxilia Ventures, and Warren Feist, representing Bin-Sense from Saskatoon, shared […] Read more
Is AgriStability worth it?
Misconceptions about how it works are major roadblocks to participation
Is AgriStability actually a good program? Should farmers participate if given the opportunity to do so? According to MNP, the answers are yes and maybe. AgriStability may not be a good fit for all operations. Historical baggage and a misunderstanding of how the program works have contributed to apprehension among producers who may otherwise benefit […] Read more
Don’t be complacent around grain storage hazards
What to watch for when filling bins
There is a plethora of hazards associated with storing and moving grain. Robert Gobeil, agricultural health and safety specialist for the Canadian Agricultural Safety Association, detailed overarching dangers and how to prevent them at a recent virtual event hosted by Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show. Hazards Those entering a storage area containing a grain mass can […] Read more
Concerns, opportunities measured in grain drying
Researchers map province’s grain drying landscape to address cost and efficiency challenges
A 2021 University of Guelph study showed that fuel costs are a top concern of those using grain dryers in the province. Why it matters: Drying accounts for 17 per cent of the cost of production in grains. More efficient and new strategies are required to keep such costs from climbing. Project researchers William Lubitz […] Read more
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
