How a Desire to Lead Brought This Wheat Breeder to Alberta

Gurcharn Singh Brar is a wheat breeder whose path meandered from the breadbaskets of Punjab, India, to the sprawling fields of the Prairies. In a candid conversation, Brar shared insights into his journey, the challenges faced, and the undying passion that fuels his quest for better crops. It all began with a childhood rooted in the wheat fields of Punjab, where agriculture isn’t just a livelihood but a way of life. His fascination with wheat and its potential led him to pursue a bachelor’s degree in agricultural sciences at Punjab Agricultural University. It was during this time that he encountered the spectre of rust diseases, particularly stripe rust, which plagued the region’s wheat crops. Determined to combat this menace, he set his sights on a journey that would take him across continents. Venturing abroad for his graduate studies, he found himself in Saskatchewan at the Crop Development Centre (CDC), working under the mentorship of renowned researchers like Randy Kutcher and P

The 411 on RVTs

What are the regional variety trials and how can you as a farmer use them to grow the best crops? Editor’s note: This interview has been edited for length and clarity. Sheri Strydhorst is the cereal and flax regional variety trial coordinator for Alberta. She completed her masters and PhD studies in crop production at the University of Alberta. Strydhorst has worked in various positions in Alberta’s agriculture industry, including executive director of Alberta Pulse Growers and at Alberta Agriculture doing applied cereal agronomic research. As part of her role with the provincial government, she was one of the trial co-operators for the regional variety trials. Strydhorst also serves as the chair of Prairie Grains Development Committee executive committee. Alberta Seed Guide (ASG): What are the regional variety trials? Sheri Strydhorst (SS): The Alberta regional variety trials, we abbreviate them to RVTs, are small plot trials, grown at multiple locations. I have cereal RVTs at up t

CCA Budget Reaction: Budget 2024 sends a positive indicator that meaningful changes are coming to Livestock Tax Deferral

On behalf of beef producers, the Canadian Cattle Association (CCA) is cautiously optimistic that the Government recognized the Livestock Tax Deferral’s effectiveness in providing relief for producers in Budget 2024 and recognized it as a crucial tool for producers in times of natural disasters such as drought or floods. The CCA has requested a change to the Income Tax Act to include all classes of cattle and allow producers to self-elect when they need to use the deferral. “Beef producers are encouraged to see the Livestock Tax Deferral in Budget 2024 and we are hopeful that meaningful change will come quickly as we head into another extremely dry season in Western Canada,” said Nathan Phinney, CCA President. Phinney views today’s announcement as “an indication that the government will make a change and work with ranchers to find a solution that addresses extreme weather challenges for producers across the country.” “After years of advocacy, we are cautiously optimistic that the Gove

Practical cover cropping strategies for sustainable farming

Cover crops are gaining traction in agriculture, offering many benefits for farms. From keeping soil healthy to preventing erosion and stopping weeds in their tracks, they're a win-win for sustainability.

Fourth special edition NFMS Machinery Newsletter arriving Monday

A team from Farms.com conducted more than 70 interviews at the National Farm Machinery Show