Ontario’s record-breaking summer heat and drought could cut potato yields by between 20 and 50 per cent in some fields but cooler nights and rainfall may help salvage harvest quality.
Tag Archives Irrigation
Hot, dry summer cuts into Ontario potato yields
While heat stress and storage issues remain a concern, recent rainfall and cooler nights could improve harvest quality
VIDEO: Autonomous irrigation system incorporates liquid fertilizer into the mix
The most unusual looking machine at Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show this year had to be the autonomous irrigation system from 360 Yield Center, Regional sales manager Loren Weaver talks about the system and how it works.
Alberta municipalities, farmers agree to cut water use as drought persists
Municipalities and irrigation districts in Alberta have agreed to use less water this summer to combat a severe ongoing drought, the provincial government said on Friday.
Farmers, oil drillers in parched Alberta brace for water shortage
Drought could cause double-digit declines in Alberta's wheat yields, data suggests
Drought in Alberta is stretching into its fourth year and farmers and oil companies are planning for water restrictions that threaten production of wheat, beef and crude.
Canadian potato output rises in 2023
Alberta vaults to first place in provincial potato production
At 32.063 million hundredweight of potatoes this year, Alberta vaulted from third to first place as it improved on the previous year’s crop of 26.813 million. Manitoba moved into second spot from third with its harvest of 29.760 million cwt. following last year’s 26.139 million. Prince Edward Island saw its output reduced in 2023 to 25.813 million cwt. from 27.789 million. In 2023, the trio combined for 68 per cent of Canada’s total potato harvest of 128,801 million cwt.
Demonstration farm experiments with controlled tile drainage on slopes
Multiple efforts to control water flow have shown effects in easier harvesting and less erosion
The Huronview drainage demonstration farm near Clinton continues to aggregate data from its numerous tillage drainage systems. “People are, like, ‘tell us whether it’s working,’” said project co-ordinator Mel Luymes. “Again, please wait. It’s going to take years for us to get a good answer from this. I’m glad we put it in when we […] Read more
How to get the most from farm drainage investment
It comes from exploring the benefits of proper drainage
The search for every last advantage in a field often requires growers to step out of their comfort zone, whether that means considering precision agriculture applications, reduced tillage, lengthening rotations or adding cover crops. Improving field drainage can have significant benefits for soil health, the overall on-farm environment and increased crop yields. Effective drainage removes […] Read more
Alberta potatoes chip in $2.9 billion for Canadian economy
New report verifies what many in industry suspected
Alberta’s potato industry is making a big impact — not just on that province but the entire country. A new report — dubbed a “landmark study” by the Potato Growers of Alberta — revealed the sector drove a total contribution of $2.87 billion to Canada’s economy in 2022. It also notes the nationwide creation of […] Read more
Calgary-area MLA named Alberta’s new ag minister
RJ Sigurdson to handle ag file, Horner moves to finance
The Alberta government’s caucus lead on emergency medical services (EMS) reform has been promoted to handle the agriculture file in a post-election cabinet shuffle. RJ Sigurdson, MLA for the constituency of Highwood, just south of Calgary, was sworn in Friday by Lt.-Gov. Salma Lakhani as Alberta’s new minister of agriculture and irrigation, replacing Nate Horner. […] Read more
Skateboard wheel next innovation
The Swift wheel is a replacement for conventional irrigation tires
Glacier FarmMedia – How might revolutionary skateboard wheels relate to farm tires? If Shark Wheel has its way, skateboard tire technology will grow to become big tractor tires. Machine power converts to productivity where rubber meets soil. Technology of that crucial contact point has changed little in the three decades since rubber tracks made the […] Read more
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