Latest Newsletter

File: A farmer holding tools on August 19, 2021.
Machinery

American farmers’ right to repair powered by the president

By
Glacier FarmMedia – U.S. President Joe Biden has issued an executive order on a farmer’s right to repair equipment. Biden signed the order July 9 that asks the Federal Trade Commission to force large manufacturers, including tech companies and agricultural equipment makers, to let consumers repair their own devices or use the technician of their […] Read more
Millers may be forced to blend winter wheat with spring wheat to bring up protein levels.
Crops, News

Looming spring wheat protein shortage bodes well for Canadian sales demand

Protein levels in this year’s U.S. hard red winter wheat are expected to be well below average by the time farmers harvest the entire crop

By
Glacier FarmMedia – Millers in the United States may be confronted with the double whammy of a low-protein hard red winter wheat crop combined with severely curtailed spring wheat production, say analysts. An estimated 38 per cent of the hard red winter wheat crop has been harvested. Protein levels have averaged 11.4 per cent based […] Read more
Eurasian wild boar, like this one, are a concern, but in Ontario most of the wild pigs come from escaped or released farm or domesticated pigs.
News

Wild pig damage extensive across the globe

Researchers consider them one of the most damaging invasive species on Earth

By , , , ,
Whether you call them feral pigs, boar, swine, hogs, or even razorbacks, wild pigs are one of the most damaging invasive species on Earth, and they’re notorious for damaging agriculture and native wildlife. A big reason they’re so harmful is because they uproot soil at vast scales, like tractors plowing a field. Our new research […] Read more
Experts challenge understanding of transition dairy cow health
Transition cows

Experts challenge understanding of transition dairy cow health

Science Notes: Conditions previously thought as indicating poor health may actually be normal, advantageous

By
For dairy cows, the transition period — the time between a cow giving birth and beginning to produce milk — brings the greatest possibility of health problems.  The current widespread belief is that the effects of excess nonesterified fatty acids (NEFA) in the bloodstream and the ensuing hyperketonemia during this period, coupled with low levels […] Read more
Trimble’s NextSwath system creates more parallel, uniform rows and headlands and can be easily operated by new employees.
Crops, Machinery

Row end turns automation especially valuable in high value crops

Trimble markets NextSwath system as employee training solution

By
Agricultural tech company Trimble is hoping to make human resource management easier for growers who recruit and train new employees for the same tasks every year.  It is targeting those who produce permanent or higher-value crops such as grapes or orchard fruits.  The company’s NextSwath system is designed to keep equipment running at peak efficiency […] Read more
Health Canada’s proposed new maximum residue levels for glyphosate would move them closer to American and international regulations.
News

Glyphosate limits may be increased

Pest management agency aims to harmonize Canadian levels with competitors

By
Glacier FarmMedia – In May, Health Canada proposed increasing the maximum residue levels of glyphosate for commodities such as oats, lentils, peas and beans. Canadians had 75 days to comment on the changes. The consultation period ended July 20. For certain crops, the proposed MRLs are higher than previous levels.  Why it matters: Glyphosate is […] Read more
Pull-type sprayers can make deep compaction less of a risk, but they bring their own challenges.
Machinery

Preventing sprayer compaction is difficult

Some compaction is inevitable, though severe damage can be mitigated

By
From growth stage to pest pressure, sprayers run when crops need them. This can pose a problem because ideal application timing does not necessarily coincide with dry field conditions. Some level of compaction is almost invariably the result, and while steps can be taken to minimize negative impacts, there are few affordable solutions to sprayer-induced […] Read more
The existing suite of farm support programs designed to help farmers with business risk management, support industry innovation, and disaster recovery expires in 2023.
News

Opinion: Farm policy for the future

By
It’s safe to say that most farmers in Canada don’t really know the history of farm policy developments in this country and they don’t really care.  What they do care about is whether supports will be there for them in their times of need, whether that’s when dealing with this year’s drought, last year’s pandemic […] Read more
Vertical greenhouses are one type of technology that can help Canada become more self-sufficient in food production and have greater control over food sovereignty.
News

Tech seen as a game-changer for agriculture

Food companies are using technology to push boundaries and make production more sustainable, reliable and secure

By
Glacier FarmMedia – Compared to cattle, crickets punch far above their weight as a source of protein. “There’s a biological organism that is arguably the most ancient source of protein that humans have ever consumed in recorded history that has the most efficient feed-to-protein conversion and that is insects,” said Muhammad Ashour, co-founder and chief […] Read more

Cyber-Savvy Farmer

Glacier Farmmedia Podcast