weeds Archives | Canadian Cattlemen

Using an invasive weed to help fill the feed gap

When feed is in short supply, producers may want to harvest kochia.

By Canadian Cattlemen Staff June 26, 2019

For Prairie cattle producers looking for alternative feed sources this year, one possibility may be kochia. Kochia is an invasive weed, often seen growing on marginal land or tumbling across the Prairies. It’s a prolific seed producer, growing in saline soil and in arid or semi-arid conditions. A recent news release from Agriculture and Agri-Food […] Read more

More than 1.2 million acres are infested with leafy spurge in Manitoba alone, with an annual estimate loss of over $40 million.

Beef Cattle, Forages

Spurge purge tests bovine palates

Goats and sheep can eat leafy spurge. Can cattle be trained to do the same?

By Duncan Morrison April 4, 2018

Like a parent convincing kids to eat their vegetables because they’re good for them, Jane Thornton is trying the same approach with getting cattle to eat leafy spurge. “Contrary to popular belief, leafy spurge is a very nutritious plant, comparable to alfalfa in quality,” Thornton says. “If cattle can become accustomed to eating leafy spurge […] Read more

Crops

Six factors to consider if your soil moisture level is low

By Angela Lovell March 27, 2018

To date, all indications are pointing to a dry spring, given the below-average precipitation received in many areas of the Prairies this winter. There are exceptions to every rule of course, but a lot of farmers had relatively dry soils going into winter, so we asked some agronomists and provincial crop experts what factors could[...]
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Crops, Features, Forages

My cover crop

Grazing with Steve Kenyon

By Steve Kenyon March 26, 2018

There has been lots of excitement during the last few years over cover crops. The soil conferences and seminars have been full of cover crop talks and trade shows are full of salesmen. It is the latest craze in agriculture and I agree that there are a lot of situations where the cover crop is[...]
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Corn, Crops, Pasture, Reuters

Minnesota finds source of Palmer amaranth on CRP land

By Renita D. Young, Tom Polansek April 6, 2017

Reuters — An invasive weed likely entered Minnesota through seed planted on land in a U.S. conservation program, state agriculture officials said on Thursday, bringing to a close an official probe of a growing threat to agricultural production. Infestations of the weed, Palmer amaranth, have affected other states in the U.S. Midwest through seed planted[...]
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Some buyers refuse to take animals with burrs to avoid the risk of taking burdock seeds back to their ranch.

Features, Forages, Livestock

Beating back burdock

Invasive weed species can affect both pasture and profit

By Heather Smith Thomas December 6, 2016

Burdock is an invasive plant that causes problems for livestock and crops, and is generally considered a noxious weed. The tall burdock plant, a native of Eurasia, is a biennial, which means it lives for two growing seasons. The first year, it merely grows leaves and accumulates food reserves in its roots, like a carrot.[...]
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Crops, Reuters, Soybeans

EPA approves Monsanto’s dicamba weed killer

By Reuters November 10, 2016

U.S. seeds and agrochemicals maker Monsanto Co. has secured approval from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for a new dicamba-based weed killer designed for its next generation biotech soy and cotton varieties, the company said on Wednesday. While approval had been expected, it is seen as a major step forward for the company’s newest herbicide[...]
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Crops, Forages

The three worst forage weeds

October 17, 2016

The benefit of attending of Saskatchewan Agriculture’s Crop Diagnostic School at Swift Current last July was having the opportunity to get an up-close look at problems farmers face every season. One of the experts on hand was Rachel Turnquist, a regional forage specialist with Saskatchewan’s Ministry of Agriculture. Turnquist gave us a look at what[...]
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Crops

Four steps to managing herbicides

By Canadian Cattlemen Staff September 20, 2016

Cutting herbicide resistance risks comes down to managing herbicides, in part. Here are four tips for doing that better, courtesy of Kate Sanford Mitchell, who manages Bayer CropScience’s herbicide and insecticide portfolios for oilseeds.

Crops, Weather

Rain holds up spraying as weeds thrive in Manitoba

By Dave Sims June 2, 2016

CNS Canada –– A steady dose of rain to start the week has put a crimp on herbicide applications across Manitoba. While weeds weren’t noticeable a few weeks ago due to the relative dryness, they’re definitely becoming more noticeable, according to crop watchers. “We know that with the rain and warmer temperatures, both the crops[...]
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Beef cattle sector weighs in for federal food processing study

Grain drying relief moving forward, one way or other

Major flour miller to buy U.S. chickpea processor

GFM Network News