Farmers and farm families face unique challenges. As the busy season of planting approaches, the rising demands and pressures of farming are likely to increase stress. Kathy Somers, a registered kinesiologist who runs the Stress Management and High Performance Clinic in Guelph, says farmers should prepare now to better manage their mental and physical health […] Read more
Farmers can prepare now to better manage stress during planting season
Nutrition, sleep and communication strategies are key to maintaining health during busy times
China’s soybean imports beat market expectations
Reuters – China’s soybean imports in the first two months of 2022 rose from the previous year, beating market expectations, according to March 7 customs data. China, the world’s top importer of soybeans, brought in 13.94 million tonnes of the oilseed in the Jan.-Feb. period, up 4.1 per cent from 13.41 million tonnes in the […] Read more
Living without Linuron in the tank
Growers will have to alter practices and mix and match other products to control weeds
When the 2020 re-evaluation of herbicide Linuron dropped the application rate for potatoes, growers thought they would be off the hook until 2023, when the new rate comes into effect. However, the registrant ran into regulatory issues after sourcing a technical active ingredient from a new provider. That pushed back production, causing supply issues. “It […] Read more
Farmers concerned as cost of production soars
Consumer price index increases to 5.1 per cent in January from 4.8 per cent in December; fertilizer jump particularly high
Glacier FarmMedia – Canada’s cost of living continues to rise, reaching levels not seen since the early 1990s. Statistics Canada recently calculated the country’s year-over-year consumer price index for January at 5.1 per cent, up from 4.8 per cent a month earlier. The January rate, the country’s highest since 1991, prompted prompted the Canadian Taxpayers […] Read more
Comment: Keep it to three key messages
The livestock sector needs to deliver its message in a way that will be noticed and understood
In today’s world, we are surrounded by simple messages, speaking points and slogans. We all fall prey to the comfort of understanding the simple — but at our peril. Now consider the messages dominating the public view of the livestock sector. They are simple, maybe none simpler than “Cows are the new coal”. Simple messages […] Read more
Give that air seeder some off-season attention
Here’s a checklist for pre- and post-season checkups
Glacier FarmMedia – A few years ago, I had a friend who was a service manager at an ag equipment dealership. He mentioned how often his mechanics would have to clean out solidified fertilizer in the tank of an air drill taken as a trade-in. That added to the cost of getting the drill ready […] Read more
Moisture, fertility drive planter development with more precision
Clean Seed and Precision Planting reps discuss new tools and challenges
Even weight distribution, greater row down pressure, on-the-go population control — each is a focus for developers of modern planting technology. With sky-high fertilizer prices and variable growing conditions, equipment companies say systems that deliver more precise fertility and moisture management are key. In a spring 2022 interview, Shawn Livingston, Eastern Canada regional manager for […] Read more
Corn Rootworm trapping study will encourage crop rotation
Results show corn rootworm pressure highest in counties with corn on corn rotations
Corn fields in two southwest counties and one in the east are at the highest risk in Ontario of hosting Bt-resistant corn rootworm (CRW), according to results from a first-year, grower-led beetle trapping project funded in part by Grain Farmers of Ontario (GFO). Tracey Baute, entomologist for the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural […] Read more
Used farm equipment sees big demand
There’s something very new — and unsettling — about this year’s used equipment market
Glacier FarmMedia – This year, any farmer expecting a new tractor in time for spring planting knows they shouldn’t hold their breath. It may or may not arrive on time. Problems including staff shortages, transportation bottlenecks, a shortage of components — all a result of COVID-19 in one way or another — have hit ag […] Read more
Growers should prepare for a wet spring
Storm systems with more cloud cover are tracking for the spring season
Spring 2022 is looking to be wet, says Brett Anderson, senior meteorologist, Canada weather specialist with Accuweather. Grain Farmers of Ontario hosted Brett Anderson Feb. 25 for a webinar on climate trends for the 2022 growing season. Why it matters: Understanding the forecast helps growers to understand what they are up against and to prepare […] Read more
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
