Reading Time: 3 minutes For organic grain producers, your best investment is the crop you never harvest. “I can never stress green manure plow-down enough. It is your most valuable crop,” said Steven Snider, who runs an organic grain operation near Edberg. “Part of your farm should be soil building with a green manure plow-down. Don’t cheat yourself on […] Read more
Green manure crops can put more green in your pockets
If organic producers can look past having a year out of crop production, green manure plow-down crops can pay off
Learn about the good bugs
Reading Time: < 1 minute A March 23 workshop will address how biocontrols can fit into an integrated pest management plan to help in greenhouse growing operations. “Biologicals are huge right now in greenhouse production and we’re seeing people introduce them and monitor them carefully for pests but at the same time aren’t quite sure where to take it from […] Read more
One size doesn’t fit all when it comes to organic crop rotations
Three organic producers share their top tips for building a sustainable crop rotation — no matter what kind of operation you have
Reading Time: 4 minutes Organic crop rotations are “a real ball of wax to deal with,” says veteran organic grower Steven Snider. “There’s so many options out there. I think people would like for me to just tell them what to put in, and that would be nice and simple,” said Snider, who runs an organic grain operation near […] Read more
Prevention is the best cure when managing greenhouse pests
Greenhouse crop growers need to start with clean cuttings, prevent infestations, and monitor pest levels to guarantee a successful biocontrol program
Reading Time: 3 minutes For greenhouse crop growers, moving away from chemical pest control to biological controls can be a big investment — but one that’s worth it, if done right. “You have to change your mindset from pesticides to biocontrol,” said Veronica Cervantes, technical adviser at Biobest USA. “The first year you start your biocontrol program is the […] Read more
Controlled traffic farming system can improve soil moisture levels
Once it’s in, a controlled traffic farming system can save time and money, improve yields, and reduce soil compaction
Reading Time: 2 minutes In dry years, every little bit of water in the soil helps — and that’s tough to find in heavily compacted soils. That’s where controlled traffic farming comes in. “The idea was to address the detrimental effects of compaction. We know our equipment keeps getting heavier and heavier, and we know we cover a fair […] Read more
Packed agenda for agronomy update
Reading Time: < 1 minute More than two dozen speakers will be offering their insights at Agronomy Update in Red Deer on Jan. 19-20. Topics include aphanomyces, clubroot, fungicide timing, P and K decline, straight combining canola, insect control, and managing herbicide resistance. The conference kicks off with presentations on field crops pathology followed by soil management, grain marketing, and crops […] Read more
Lots of knowledge on tap at Agronomy Update 2016
Conference in Red Deer runs Jan. 19-20
Reading Time: < 1 minute New clubroot strains and ways to reduce fusarium damage are two of the topics featured at Agronomy Update 2016 in Red Deer on Jan. 19-20. The annual conference will also feature presentations on phosphorus and potassium decline; new wheat classes; marketing peas and fababeans; plant growth regulators; adding diversity to crop rotations; updates on wireworms […] Read more
New edition of CropChoice$ crop-planning software available
Reading Time: < 1 minute CropChoice$ 2015 is now available. Producers can plug their yields from the 2015 harvest into the software and find whether their cropping plan can break even or make a profit. They can also enter target gross margins to see if they can achieve them. The software can analyze up to 40 dryland and irrigated crops […] Read more
Business strategies for a down market
The bears are out, but here are some ways to manage through a time of tight margins and high risks
Reading Time: 5 minutes The grain market bears are out in full force, but while times are challenging, there are ways to manage through the latest downward cycle, say four Alberta farm leaders. “In 1980 — 35 years ago — I was selling spring wheat for $6 a bushel,” said Gary Stanford, president of the Grain Growers of Canada. […] Read more
Wide range of speakers coming to canola meetings
Alberta Canola Producers Commission meetings will run from Nov. 17 to Dec. 1
Reading Time: < 1 minute Agronomy, marketing, and farm business management will be in the spotlight at Alberta Canola Producers Commission growing meetings next month. The commission has lined up 18 speakers, with four of them giving presentations at each of the dozen meetings being run from Nov. 17 to Dec. 1. ‘Creditor proofing,’ price protection strategies, global demand for […] Read more
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