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Tag Archives chemicals — page 3

Older products could pose problems for pollinators on crops such as canola and alfalfa.
News

Insecticide restriction pushes growers to older chemistries

PMRA limits use of lambda-cyhalothrin

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The Pest Management Regulatory Agency has applied restrictions to insecticides containing the active ingredient lambda-cyhalothrin. Among other changes, it can no longer be applied on crops destined for use as animal feed. The restriction means growers who previously used products such as Matador, Warrior, Silencer, Labamba, Voliam Xpress and Endigo will have to find other […] Read more
A spray boom creating pesticide drift. One of the main causes of spray drift is the production of fine sprays.
Crops

Minimizing spray drift on fields

Here are some ways to help keep your pesticides on target

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Glacier FarmMedia – Spray drift is defined as the off-target movement of pesticide dust or droplets through the air at the time of application or soon after. It can have serious implications for neighbouring farmers and other property owners. It’s an issue that has been around almost as long as pesticides have been used to […] Read more
The author looks at what we’ve learned about pesticides and the environment in the six decades since publication of the book that changed how the world sees nature.
News

Opinion: Hearing the Silent Spring 60 years on

A reflection on what we’ve learned about pesticides since publication of the bestseller

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In 1962 environmental scientist Rachel Carson published Silent Spring, a bestselling book that asserted that overuse of pesticides was harming the environment and threatening human health. Carson did not call for banning DDT, the most widely used pesticide at that time, but she argued for using it and similar products much more selectively and paying […] Read more
(Leonid Eremeychuk/iStock/Getty Images)
Crops

U.S. trade commission sues pesticide makers, alleging price scheme

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Washington | Reuters — The U.S. Federal Trade Commission on Thursday sued two top pesticide manufacturers for allegedly entering into exclusive contracts with distributors that kept prices paid by farmers artificially high. The consumer watchdog agency was motivated to bring the case in part because rising costs and supply chain disruptions from Russia’s invasion of […] Read more
Charles Baron and partners brought FBN to Canada in 2017, buying Saskatchewan-based Yorkton Distributors. (FBN video screengrab via YouTube)
Crops, Markets

Antitrust probe in ag inputs dropped

Communications over FBN still 'concerning,' Competition Bureau says

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Allegations suggesting ag chem sector players tried to derail an online farm-supply firm’s business in Western Canada haven’t turned up enough evidence for federal regulators to probe the matter further. Canada’s Competition Bureau announced Tuesday it’s now closed an investigation it launched in 2019 over allegations brought forward by the Canadian arm of Farmers Business […] Read more
Paragon Ag Service’s site west of Melfort. (Lakecountryco-op.crs)
Crops

Two Saskatchewan co-ops to buy ag input retailer

Paragon Ag Service assets to be divvied up

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A pair of Saskatchewan co-operatives are expanding their reach in the crop input retail sector in that province’s northeast, with a deal to buy an independent dealership chain. Lake Country Co-op and Prairie North Co-op announced Tuesday they have agreements in place to buy the assets of Melfort-based Paragon Ag Service from owners Sherman Boland […] Read more
The four-channel electromagnetic flowmeter system helps to push down product, reduce drift and allow for better application.
Crops, Machinery

Can drones replace self-propelled spraying equipment?

Drones can help improve product application and provide better results

By
Drones are quickly becoming a preferred tool for growers across the globe. Some drones offer high-concentration, small-volume spraying technology with the same efficacy of coverage as typical agricultural equipment, allowing producers to use less product. As well, the flight ability and down-facing fan action allow growers to ensure timely applications independent of soil conditions, with […] Read more
A City of Iqaluit worker fills a water truck at the Sylvia Grinnell River after authorities ordered the Nunavut capital’s 7,000 residents not to drink the city’s water due to suspected fuel contamination, on Oct. 14, 2021. (Photo: Reuters/Casey Lessard)

Iqaluit confirms ‘exceedingly high levels’ of fuel in water supply

Water not safe for cooking or drinking, city says

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Reuters –– The Canadian city of Iqaluit said lab results confirmed that fuel had entered its water supply, officials announced Friday. Analysis of samples from one of the city’s water tanks found “exceedingly high levels of various fuel components,” Amy Elgersma, Iqaluit’s chief administrative officer, said, adding it was likely diesel or kerosene. Residents in […] Read more
File photo of apple picking in a Canadian orchard. (Martinedoucet/E+/Getty Images)
Machinery

New B.C. youth work rules: Heavy lifting, ag chem handling out

New standards also lift province's 'general working age' to 16

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“Light farm and yard work” are deemed appropriate for workers at ages 14 and 15 under new employment standards taking effect in British Columbia this fall. The province on Wednesday announced changes to its Employment Standards Act, which have been through the development and consultation stages since 2019, have now been finalized and will take […] Read more
The Blair’s agro centre at Lipton, Sask. (Blairs.ag)
Crops

Co-op, Blair’s joint venture to sell one crop input centre

Regulator sees overlap between Co-op, Blair's at Lipton

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A new joint venture formed to run seven existing crop input retail centres in central and southeastern Saskatchewan will settle for six. The federal Competition Bureau on Wednesday announced an agreement with Federated Co-operatives (FCL) and the ag retail arm of the Saskatchewan-based Blair’s Family of Companies toward approval of their proposed joint venture. Blair’s […] Read more

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