Winnipeg/Chicago | Reuters — North America’s biggest farm suppliers are accelerating shipments of fertilizer, seeds and agricultural chemicals to crop-growing regions in an unprecedented race against the coronavirus that threatens to disrupt planting season. The timing could not be worse for farmers preparing to plant crops. Disruptions in deliveries of fertilizer, seeds or chemicals could […] Read more

Farm suppliers race COVID-19 spread for planting season

Prairie elevators’ staff aim for on-site distancing
Cargill, P+H elevators stay open but with arm's-length approach
At least two Prairie grain handling firms plan to continue taking deliveries from farmers during the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic — but to make the process as touchless as possible. Cargill, in a email to customers Wednesday, said its Canadian grain elevators, crush plants and ag input retail sites will remain open for deliveries and pickups, […] Read more

Seed supplies are strong, no delivery problems expected
But order seed by phone or online, and keep your distance during delivery
Reading Time: < 1 minute Alberta farmers shouldn’t face any challenges finding seed as the pandemic plays out over the next few weeks — but stick to phone calls and online orders when working with your seed supplier. “To my knowledge, there shouldn’t be a lot of problems (with seed supply),” said Kelly Chambers, executive director of Alberta Seed Growers. […] Read more

Make sure your seed and fertilizer can get along
Side- and mid-row banding help, but watch that P in the seed row — especially in a dry spring
Reading Time: 4 minutes Fertilizer and seed are what you might call the best of frenemies. They need each other but if conditions aren’t right, one of them (in this case, the seed) is likely to get hurt. And that goes double if you’re growing a small-seed crop like canola under dry conditions. Three of the biggest concerns canola […] Read more

Putting seed to the test — it’s not just about germination
A vigour test tells you more, especially in a year like this one that follows a tough harvest
Reading Time: 4 minutes The seed you plant is ground zero for any healthy, profitable crop. So it only makes sense to know as much about it as possible before putting it in the ground. However, a lot of producers are still doing the bare minimum of seed testing, and experts say it’s causing them to miss out. Although […] Read more

High-quality seed may be tough to find heading into spring
Like everyone else, seed growers were hit hard last year
Reading Time: 4 minutes Seeding this spring is going to be a little like the Indianapolis 500. No matter which seed you plant, you’ll probably cross the finish line — but you’re going to get there a whole lot faster in a Lamborghini than a LeBaron. Seed with both high germination and high vigour will help you win the […] Read more

Cereal seed royalty gets thumbs down at consultations
Government is asking farmers what they think about seed royalties — and the answer is ‘not much’
Reading Time: 4 minutes The idea of charging royalties on cereal seed didn’t go over well with many Alberta farmers who attended a federal government consultation on proposed royalties. “The overarching thing is that control would be imposed and that would be my concern,” Trochu farmer Kevin Niemi said in an interview. “A royalty is like a seed tax […] Read more

North Dakota still on lookout for Palmer amaranth
CNS Canada –– Officials in North Dakota continue to hunt down suspicious plants in a bid to keep the aggressive weed Palmer amaranth from establishing there. Palmer amaranth, a pigweed species, made its first confirmed appearance in North Dakota last month, in a soybean field in McIntosh County, in the south-central area of the state. […] Read more

There’s lots of seed choices — and approaches to picking them
Some farmers consult, some decide on their own, and others react to what just happened
Reading Time: 4 minutes Are you happy with the seed varieties you chose this year? More importantly, is your approach to picking varieties working for you? Seed selection tends to be a very linear game. Seed companies typically contact seed growers with new varieties that may perform well and appeal to their customers. From there, the seed growers will […] Read more

Going beyond grass: The case for forage legumes
Alberta producers offer the wisdom of their experience — and their gains — from high legume pastures
Reading Time: 2 minutes If you’re fearful that seeding pasture with legumes will be a waste of time and money, several Alberta producers have some tips for you. A new video from Alberta Agriculture and Forestry features producers offering their advice — some of it hard earned — on topics such as seedbed preparation, nutrients, and weed control. Having […] Read more