OTHER

US Weather Channel offers new ag application

July 29, 2010 -The US-based Weather Channel is now offering a Agricultural Application, where farmers can get daily forecast information, precipitation, degree growing days and soil moisture conditions. The best news is that it offers forecasts and information for US centres as well as those in Canada, which makes it unique compared to other internet services.    GO TO THE WEATHER CHANNEL

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New resource for potato growers launched

July 7, 2010 -With the launch of "Focus on Potato," potato growers will find more science-based information, including webcasts and other resource tools, to help them with management decisions for their operations.   READ MORE

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INTRODUCTION: Your reference!
Once again, Top Crop Manager is offering an early spring edition of Potatoes in Canada, sponsored by DuPont Canada.

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Mapping Phytophthora genome key to unravelling late blight
Potato breeders have a new tool to help develop potato resistance to the late blight pathogen Phytophthora infestans.

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Developing cold tolerance in potatoes
More acres of spuds could be produced in Canada if scientists could develop tubers with hardier genetics, a challenge that has been studied by Dr. Rickey Yada since 1998.

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Colour should be skin-deep
Growers tapping into specialty markets for blue- or dark-skinned potatoes often find the skin colour fading the longer the tubers are in storage.

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Busting up the myths around weed control
When it comes to weed control, agronomists, weed researchers and company representatives hear plenty of myths and misconceptions in the field when speaking with farmers. Here is a look at some of those myths and truths surrounding weed control.

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Low input cropping with black medic
At Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s (AAFC) Indian Head Research Farm, researchers are trying to determine whether or not black medic could have a fit in current cropping systems. Black medic Medicago lupulina, is a self-seeding annual legume crop that can be used as an underseeded cover crop in rotation to fix nitrogen and potentially increase the availability of nitrogen (N) during the growing season.

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Assessing winter wheat survival
Each spring, winter wheat growers evaluate how well their crop has come through the winter. Sometimes they face the difficult choice of whether to keep a struggling stand or reseed the field to another crop. Two specialists provide some practical tips to help with that decision.

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Pulse production: Management practices to maximize returns
I presently work with growers in the Regina, Moose Jaw and Lumsden areas. A large part of this geographic area comprises flat heavy clay soils, well suited to pulse production. Growers on the heavy clay, who have years of experience growing pulses and are confident yields can be exceptional if moisture is not limiting, will often “spare no expense” if crop value is anticipated to be good. They are willing to risk higher production costs.

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