For farmers, the start to a new crop year begins much before all the equipment hits the fields in the spring. To start off the new crop year, you must review the past years operations, and make a crop plan based on your past success and the commodity market. Planning consists of choosing which practices […]
Govan, SK – Randy Slough, has joined SynergyAG as the Location Manager in Govan, Saskatchewan. “We are thrilled to have Randy join our team,” said Brad Hanmer, President and CEO of SynergyAG. “His long-standing commitment to serving customers and his community really compliments the SynergyAG culture.” Slough began his career in 1986, and since then […]
Canada’s reputation for safe food is unparalleled, thanks to all the people involved in the food business, from field to fork. Although pesticides are an important part of our farming, nobody wants them remaining in or on food that we consume in quantities that can affect our health. That is why all food products grown […]
Blackleg is one of the most serious diseases of canola, capable of causing significant yield losses of over 50% in susceptible fields. The more devastating form of the disease is caused by the fungus Leptosphaeria maculans. It overwinters on infected canola stubble and releases spores in the spring, which are then dispersed by wind and […]
Bertha armyworm is one of the most destructive insect pests of crucifers in any year when there is a major outbreak. In Canada, it is found in Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and some parts of British Columbia. Its preferred host plants include canola, rapeseed, mustard, and alfalfa, but it also attacks flax, peas and potato. The […]
Harvest time is a critical stage in canola cultivation. Untimely harvesting and inappropriate harvesting techniques can reduce both yield and quality. If canola is straight cut, a desiccant can be applied to facilitate the harvest operation. As noted in the previous blog, desiccation is a useful way to accelerate dry down of the crop and minimize […]
The diamondback moth has the creepy reputation of being the most destructive insect pest of Brassica crops in various parts of the world. The insect attacks plants in the Brassicaceae family including canola, cabbage, mustard, broccoli, kale and cauliflower. It is estimated to cost the world economy US$4–5 billion annually and is particularly problematic in […]
Recently, I sat at the edge of my seat, staring at my computer screen in shock as I read a BBC news story about how scientists are battling to save my favourite fruit from extinction. The Panama disease that threatened to wipe out bananas in the 1950s had made an aggressive comeback. This current outbreak […]
Number 1 The cabbage seedpod weevil (CSW) has been known as a crop pest since the beginning of the 19th century. But it was in 1931 that it was first recorded in North America – in British Columbia. From there it is believed to have moved south and east, and is now found throughout much […]
Thankfully, the rains have come to soothe our parched lands and breathe new life into our thirsty crops. But as soils become wetter, conditions for the growth of moisture-loving organisms such as fungi become more favourable. The fungus kingdom is a large and diverse one and includes beneficial species such as those that help in […]