Better Farming will publish nine editions of its Prairies magazine in 2020. After publishing each edition, we share a feature article online. Each Better Farming Prairies magazine includes much more content – you won’t want to miss it. If you don’t receive the print edition of Better Farming Prairies, but you enjoy reading the articles below, be sure to subscribe to the magazine!
by Geoff Geddes
Like life itself, farming is about addressing the hard questions: How do I combat the latest crop pest? Which farming practices are most beneficial? How did Mother Nature get such a warped sense of humour?
by Geoff Geddes
For city dwellers, the greatest threat from insects could be a bed bug infestation or a mosquito bite. But when farming is your livelihood, insects and plant diseases can bite into your bottom line in a hurry.
by Geoff Geddes
Though grain and oilseed farmers are often do-it-yourself types, they sometimes need a helping hand to get a leg up to succeed in business. The person who knows more about spraying the fields or playing the commodity markets can be a powerful ally.
by John Loeppky
As we know, Canada’s farm population accounts for a small minority (less than 2 per cent) of the country’s total population, according to 2016 Statistics Canada data. And one subset of this workforce that is underrepresented is individuals with disabilities.
by Geoff Geddes
The relationship between Canada’s railways and the grain sector, like any other relationship, has featured strong teamwork, periodic spats and nights when they both went to bed mad.
Dale Hofstra, a dairy farmer from Millet, Alta., had trouble gaining access to reliable high-speed Internet service until the summer of 2019. He couldn’t stream Netflix, let alone fully use all the technology necessary to efficiently run his operation.
by Geoff Geddes
A decade ago, the sight of a strange object hovering above your field might have sent you running for the rifle. These days, however, drones offer farmers cutting-edge assistance of the highest calibre.
Humphrey Banack, a farmer in the Round Hill, Alta., area, is fortunate to have three teenage nephews who help on the farm. However, he’s scaling down over 1,000 acres for the 2020 growing season because he can’t find enough workers.
by Michelle Jones
“You used to leave your equipment in the field when you were done for the day. … (Now), you come back to it in the morning to (find) the windows smashed out of it or the toolboxes stolen,” says Bruce Galbraith, rural crime watch coordinator for the rural municipality of Rosser, Man.
by Geoff Geddes
Interest is heating up in the brave new world of smart technology, so trying to take a pass on progress is like opting out of winter.
For farmers who are undecided about this technology, the choice is clear: embrace it or risk being left in the cold.