Blog

Apr 11

Study sheds new light on fighting wild oats

By: Tyler Difley

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada Research Scientist Neil Harris said most wild oats will be resistant to at least one herbicide in the next few years because the same sprays are used over and over again. Credit: Tyler Difley

A recent study concluded cultural practices present an attractive alternative to herbicide alone when controlling wild oats in barley. According to the report, which was published in the journal Weed Science, optimal cultural practices combined with herbicides are a farmer’s best bet to reduce the wild oat seed in the soil seed bank and increase

Apr 11

Renters, owners connect online for land

By: Geoff Geddes

Lyndon Lisitza founded Renterra.ca, an online clearing house for farmland. Credit: Myek O’Shea

If the developer of a new farmland website has his way, his company Renterra may become the agricultural equivalent of eBay. According to owner Lyndon Lisitza, Renterra.ca is Western Canada’s first rental auction website for farmland. “Renterra provides an effective tool to post, search and bid on available rental farmland through an efficient, transparent auction

Apr 10

Barley industry gets $8 million boost – AIP grant money to fund new barley research

By: Cole Christensen

The future of barley received a gigantic boost this summer courtesy of a major announcement from the federal government. On July 9, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) announced that the Canadian barley industry was the recipient of $8 million to fund 27 new and innovative projects under the Barley National Research Cluster. “This is an

Apr 8

Research helps make the malting grade

By: Tamara Leigh

Growing malt barley can be a tricky business. A good crop can deliver a solid return, but making the grade often proves elusive. Research Scientist Dr. John O’Donovan’s study at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s (AAFC’s) Lacombe Research Centre has compiled convincing results to support a number of practical agronomy tips to help growers make the

Apr 6

Drive Away Hunger aims high for 10th anniversary

By: Tyler Difley

Many rural food banks are volunteer-run and depend on food drives like Drive Away Hunger to raise awareness and stock their shelves. Credit: Farm Credit Canada

Farm Credit Canada’s (FCC) Drive Away Hunger initiative is celebrating its 10th anniversary. Expectations are higher than ever for the program, which has raked in 9.2 million pounds of food and more than $760,000 to date for Canadian food banks. “Drive Away Hunger is our flagship community investment program,” said Blaine Gorrell, FCC’s Lethbridge district

Apr 5

Ukraine: Good cereals, great soil

By: Trevor Bacque

A typical tractor, the Belarus 1025, with 110 horsepower and the ability to pull a small seeder, sprayer or fertilizer spreader. Credit: Trevor Bacque

While the crops in Ukraine are coming up strong, it’s what’s below the surface that counts. With 30 per cent of the world’s nutrient-heavy black soil, Ukraine is an agricultural country on the rise with the numbers prove it. In late August, Ukraine’s Agrarian Policy and Food Minister Mykola Prysyazhnyuk announced the country expects to

Apr 5

4-H celebrates 100 years across Canada

By: Chris Simnett

Thousand of young Canadians, like Jacob Onyschuk seen here, have benefited from being a 4-H member. Credit: Jacob Onyschuk

Jacob Onyschuk credits landing his dream job to 4-H. The 21-year-old from Legal, AB, was only a 4-H Canada member for four years, but the organization, which celebrates its 100th birthday in 2013, changed his life.

Apr 3

EU agreement could increase trade

By: Natalie Noble

As the federal government continues its ambitious trade agenda to stimulate economic growth through export markets, the finalization of the Canadian–European Union (EU) Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) could increase agricultural exports by three billion dollars. “In Canada, we export more than half of everything we grow,” said Kathleen Sullivan, executive director of the

Apr 3

Hung jury on aster yellows

By: Geoff Geddes

Aster yellows is a vicious disease. However, some scientists are split on how serious its effects are on cereals.

It’s widespread, hard to detect and impossible to cure. No wonder its making headlines. Aster yellows is a chronic, systemic plant disease commonly found in canola. It is caused by a bacterium-like organism called a phytoplasma, a pathogen that requires living plant and insect hosts to survive, spread and reproduce. Dr. Chrystel Olivier, entomology specialist

Apr 3

Innovative farmer keeps up with applied research

By: Evan Wingrove

David Eaton is one busy farmer. In addition to being president of the Chinook Applied Research Association (CARA) and treasurer of the Agricultural Research and Extension Council of Alberta (ARECA), he is also an Alberta Barley (ABC) region two delegate. Eaton’s interests are just as diverse—he has been flying private planes for more than 20