WINNIPEG — Providing advice on how to successfully grow a crop is much easier than doing it. Keith Gabert, a Canola Council of Canada agronomist in Alberta, is fully aware of that distinction. In an ideal world, growers should seed canola about one inch deep into warm, moist soil. Under those conditions, the canola should germinate quickly and grow rapidly. But the world is not ideal. “That’s easy to say, for me, sitting on my office chair on April 1,” said Gabert, who works out of Innisfail, just south of Red Deer, Alta. “(The) reality in the field might be a little different.” While conditio ..read more

Glacier FarmMedia – Trina Semenchuk wants to make Manitoba the vertical farming capital of the world. “It’s a very bold vision, but yeah, it’s my vision,” she said. “Why not? We have a short growing season and we have so much talent here. We have quite a lot of resources already available in Winnipeg.” Semenchuk started her company, The Little Greenhouse That Could, to help facilitate her vision. Despite the name, the company has no physical greenhouse. As a consultancy for those interested in setting up vertical farming operations, the crop she grows is future farmers and farm business. Her g ..read more

Glacier FarmMedia – With deadlines looming, there are a few things farmers should be aware of as they prepare their taxes. For farms that run as corporations, Dec. 31, 2023, was the last day for the temporary immediate expensing option. The immediate expensing incentive was a temporary program that first came into effect for the 2022 calendar year and allowed corporations to write off capital expenses of up to $1.5 million immediately rather than claim the depreciation over time. The following year, the program was expanded to include sole proprietorships and partnerships owned by sole proprie ..read more

CANBERRA (Reuters) — Australia’s farm chemicals regulator is taking too long to approve new products, leading to billions of dollars in preventable crop losses for one of the world’s biggest agricultural exporters, industry groups say. Australia is a major supplier of goods from wheat and barley to cotton and wine. Approvals of as many as two dozen products have been delayed by as much as a year, said Matthew Cossey, head of CropLife Australia, which represents the farm chemicals industry. The registration process typically takes a year and a half to two years, CropLife said. One delayed produ ..read more

A farm is more than a business. It’s a legacy built through generations of sweat and determination. As farmers, you plan for the coming year’s harvest, but it’s equally important to plan for the future of your land and livelihood. This includes understanding the implications of selling or transferring the farm. The Capital Gains Deduction (CGD) is an important consideration that can help minimize tax burdens and pave the way for a smooth transition. The CGD is a provision in the Canadian tax code that allows eligible individuals to exempt a portion of capital gains from taxation when they disp ..read more

We had a fairly major storm system on the Prairies last week, but it was not strong enough to warrant major attention. Manitoba received the most moisture from this system, with widespread 20 to 30 millimetres of rain mixed with snow. The northern half of agricultural Saskatchewan, along with the far eastern regions, also saw totals ranging from five to 15 mm. Parts of southern and central Alberta had precipitation, mostly as snow, with amounts ranging from four to 12 cm. While this moisture is welcome, it will do little to alleviate drought conditions that have been developing across the Prai ..read more

When it was time to buy a new vehicle for family use, the Somervilles went electric. Rob Somerville, who farms cattle and grain with his wife, son and daughter-in-law near Endiang, Alta., cited costs as the main reason for the decision. Somerville knew the costs of his previous vehicle. Fuel and repairs had reached the point where the old standby was no longer worth it. He needed something cheaper. Although many farming peers might question his choice, he decided an electric truck was the best option. “If you set aside the purchase price, that’s the cheapest driving that you can get,” he said ..read more

With global supply issues, manufacturing issues and transportation or distribution issues, the words “back order” can strike fear in the hearts of producers and veterinarians. The bigger a herd becomes, the more critical that veterinary product shortages become, so it’s critical to keep potential solutions in mind. Keeping an open line of communication with the local veterinary clinic will help. On a world scale, Canada is small in terms of livestock, so new developments may not make their way into Canada right away. And, if there is a shortage somewhere else, Canada may not get its fair share ..read more

Few things can damage your bond with your dog like coming home to a mess — torn curtains, feces or urine on the floor and a scratched door jamb. Your dog’s guilty look is probably a read of your own stress. Dogs that wreak havoc like this are likely suffering from separation anxiety, a very common disorder. Dogs with this condition become extremely anxious when left alone, leading to house soiling, excessive drooling, destructive behaviour and sometimes barking or whining. They may attempt to escape through doors and windows. While the destruction itself can cause injury to the dog, these extr ..read more

Glacier FarmMedia – Hog barns are hard on electronics. Unfortunately, electronics are a key component in pig sorters. Ayrquip says its newest pig sorter and software match-up are meant to overcome that operational challenge. The company’s stainless steel open concept unit is six inches longer than its competition, designed to accommodate heavier animals for accurate weight readings. The fully enclosed software is protected from the elements and adjustable to existing sorters. Ayrquip also offers ongoing service. “Anything inside of a pig barn should be either stainless steel, plastic or concre ..read more