J.P Gervais, chief agricultural economist for Farm Credit Canada outlined three major trends that will affect agriculture this year: tight supplies and very strong demand for all commodities; rising inflation and the resiliency of farmland values.

Colin Chapdelaine discusses the Star Group’s foray into greenhouse grown strawberries.

Nutrients and micro-nutrients have a huge role to play in keeping potato plants healthy through the season. A strong plant is in a better position to ward off diseases and pests, and stand up to extreme weather conditions.

The geopolitical ramifications will reverberate for food processing companies sourcing off-shore ingredients, food producers seeking alternate international markets and growers factoring in increased costs for fertilizer.

Proactive communication goes a long way when starting up bird bangers or spreading manure. In this case study, a crop consultant steered a grape grower to bio-fungicides and eco-friendly summer oils to make peace with a beekeeper neighbour who lives just 50 metres from the vineyard.

Ryan Brewster is counselling his clients how to move away from some pesticides that are harsh on beneficial insects. One cultural method is to spray summer oils. Another is to plant late-flowering-cover crops between the rows to attract beneficial insects that eat bad bugs.

Stop Think Act is a methodology that can play a pivotal role in any farm health and safety plan. The concept revolves around a three step process that is remarkably universal in its application and includes many facets of farming including machinery and equipment use.

FMC says its Coragen MaX insecticide is further enhanced with improved sustainability to allow growers to cover more ground with less product. It will be offered to eastern Canada.

The Pest Management Regulatory Agency has announced a label expansion for Allegro 500F fungicide for control of dead arm and suppression of anthracnose on wine grapes.

As of Feb 21, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency has not communicated whether restrictions will be lifted for PEI potato seed to move to other Canadian provinces. Most potato seed moves during the month of March.