News and updates

Pea Leaf Weevil populations in southern Alberta remain at levels that could cause concern in 2021 particularly in areas that had extensive damage in surveys last year.

Farming Smarter updated its Strategic Plan over the winter to adjust to some of the major changes brought on in 2020.

The two main species of flea beetle pests in canola are the crucifer (P. cruciferae) and the striped flea beetles (Phyllotreta striolata).

Listen while Liam & Mike talk about growing quinoa in Canada. Where it works, what to think about and why it's an interesting novel crop to consider for your farm.

Corn production is exploding across the prairies and especially southern Alberta. The south with its hot, dry summers and irrigation suits grain corn as well as silage, but grazing corn, a system that's unique to western prairies, also expanded.

Producers spend considerably more time, money and resources on proper nitrogen management in crop production systems than any other mineral because it's a critical element required for plant growth.

Kubota Canada needed a partnership to put a Great Plains precision planter through its paces. Farming Smarter Field Tested offered to use one of these planters for our field scale trials.

If a Golden Retriever were a human, it would be Carlo Van Herk! He is the friendliest face and the most energetic member of the crew. You can count on him to bring an uplifting presence to the workplace and a cheerful attitude to the long days in the field.

Field Tested delivers ROI: There's nothing that compares to test results you see on your land, planted & harvested with your equipment and grown under your care.

Soil erosion will blow away assets every farmer needs. It is still the most widespread form of soil degradation in Canada even though, in the past three decades, the Canadian prairies greatly reduced wind erosion through the adoption of improved land management practices, such as direct seeding, reduced tillage intensity, and reduction in summer fallow fields.

To call Jamie Assistant Manager and expect that to define her role in making Farming Smarter Alberta's leading research association seems artless.

George Lubberts, Farming Smarter vice president, is another organizational long hauler dating back to the Southern Applied Research Association and taking part in the formation of Farming Smarter in 2012.

The project, Introducing High Value Speciality Crops to Western Canadian Crop Rotations, focuses on barley, canola, pea and wheat in conjunction with multiple novel crops, but mostly focused on hemp and quinoa.

Alberta farmers may notice a change in flea beetle populations. Listen to Dr. Hector Carcamo, AAFC Entomologist, and Lewis Baarda, Farming Smarter

Gauging crop recovery possibilities after a hailstorm churned across the landscape is a long-standing pastime in Alberta. According to an AMA insurance report, 66% of major hailstorms take place in our province each year.

Southern Alberta saw one of those days when wind caused havock and fire last Sunday, March 28, 2021. When a wind event causes winds of 140km/hr, it's hard to imagine what might protect your soil.

CARA launched a soil benchmark project in 2018 to develop a biological and physical baseline for soils in Alberta. It will provide a framework that defines strategies for managing and improving the productive capacity and sustainability of our soils.

Wetlands are complex and so are the regulations associated with them. If you have any questions, concerns, or want to develop/remove wetlands on your property, remember to always consult a qualified wetland professional.

Ryan Mercer is co-owner and president of Mercer Seeds Ltd. and sees direct value from a strong, local source of information for his farm. His interest lies in the unbiased, third party information coming from replicated small plot work and field scale work.

Biobeds are a low cost, simple way to responsibly handle pesticide rinsates and maintain healthy water and soil. Farming Smarter installed one and they're making it easier for others to have one too.

Ken Coles is not a man anyone can hold back, and he has a vision to make Farming Smarter the most useful organization a farmer or agronomist can turn to when they need information.

Wheat growers! This program is for you. Dr. Brian Beres and Dr. Patricio Grassini talk about current research into quantifying