September 21, 2017 | Kris Cherewyk
One of the more common practices amongst grain producers, is the use of cereal crops harvested in the fall for seed to be planted in the spring. A grower’s own grain to be used for seed is commonly known as bin-run. Despite the many benefits of using certified cereal seed purchased from registered seed growers, many producers use bin-run as a means of reducing costs in their operations. Even if the sample from the bin-run seed is graded well at the elevator, it is very important to have grain tested by a lab in order to properly determine quality, germination and vigor which are all critical elements in the success of a cereal crop.
Quality testing is used to determine the amount of disease that is on the seed. For example, fusarium graminearum spores can still be present even with no fusarium damaged kernels (FDK) in the sample. If the bin-run quality does not meet the minimum requirements, the seed should not be used for planting. Germination testing determines the …
August 17, 2017 | Kris Cherewyk
It’s an exciting time on the prairies as harvest is getting underway. The satisfaction of bringing in a year’s worth of planning and hard work is one of the biggest reasons growers love what they do. For some producers, it also means the beginning of the 2018 crop year with the planting of winter wheat. …
May 24, 2017 | Kris Cherewyk
According to the Canola Council of Canada, Canola is a crop that contributes approximately $26.7 billion to the Canadian economy every year. Biotechnology companies have made great strides in producing varieties with characteristics such as disease resistance, early maturity and reduced pod shattering. However, with all these agronomic advancements, farmers must still contend with the …
April 19, 2017 | Chris Churko
Seed Strategy The ultimate goal of crop production is to get the highest yield possible while preserving the best grade attainable. Producers deploy fertility programs, chemical strategies, and other technology and management decisions to achieve this. However, when it comes to maximizing the genetic yield potential of a crop; or the highest attainable yield in …
April 2, 2017 | Kris Cherewyk
Hello Everyone As we turn the page on the calendar into April, I’d like to take this opportunity to discuss an important step before seeding cereals this spring. Cleaning Bin-Run Seed Many producers continue to use their own seed grown the previous year for planting – a practice commonly referred to as “bin-run”. Cleaning grain …
