From the Ground Up


Inspiring views on the evolution of soil and agriculture.

Conserving Moisture at Seeding Time

One defining characteristic of the Great Plains is the variability of weather conditions.  While some areas are still recovering from excessive moisture dating back to last fall, a large part of the region has been dealing with substantial drought over the course of this spring and summer.  Even with all the advancements in crop science …

Wheat Midge and the Importance of Early Maturity

Over the last number of months, we have been discussing how a seeding operation affects other areas of farming throughout the year.  With the hot, dry weather being experienced across the prairies, it is a good time to talk about another damaging pest:  wheat midge.  Even though forecast maps often predict varying populations for different …

Canola field after Prairies thunderstorm

Importance of Crop Staging in Fungicide Application

As we move into summer, crops are continuing to advance across the prairies.  The combination of moisture, heat and sunlight have helped crops through their early stages as producers wrap up their herbicide application.  Soon crops will be reaching the stage where it will be time to apply fungicides.  The decision whether to spray fungicide …

Seed Hawk: Twenty-Five Years at Farm Progress Show

Farm Progress Show Story by Pat Beaujot, Pat.Beaujot@seedhawk.com.  Innovator and exhibitor. It is fitting to share this story now as it was exactly 25 years ago this spring that we built the very first Seed Hawk on our farm in Langbank, SK and seeded our thousand-acre farm with it. After a few in-field modifications the …

Flea Beetle Defense: How Seeding Can Help

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 …