Coles Ag, Author at Manitoba Crop Alliance

The 4th International Wheat Congress: observations and opportunities

Coles Ag on August 10, 2026

In May, MCA research program manager for cereal crops Lauren Gislason attended the 4^th International Wheat Congress (IWC4) in Bologna, Italy, which reinforced the value of international collaboration in advancing wheat research.

While the scientific topics were diverse, common themes included climate resilience, disease management, sustainable production and application of new technologies. The conference also highlighted that many countries share Canada’s challenges, including reduced research investment, emerging production risks and the need to strengthen pathways that translate research into practical benefits for producers.

Observations and opportunities

IWC4 showcased the breadth of current global wheat research, with sessions focused on sustainable production systems, wheat breeding and genetics, genomics and genome editing, climate resilience, disease and pest management, digital agriculture and phenotyping, soil health, and reducing the environmental footprint of wheat production. Across these topics, there was a strong emphasis on multidisciplinary approaches and international collaboration to address emerging challenges facing the wheat sector.
International partners are facing many of the same challenges as Canada, including declining public investment in agricultural research, climate variability, evolving disease and pest pressures, and the need to attract and retain the next generation of agricultural scientists.
Collaborative funding models are becoming increasingly important to support large, complex wheat research initiatives. Discussions emphasized that successful international partnerships rely on trust, co-development of research priorities and regular communication among funders and researchers.
The “last mile” of research remains a universal challenge. While scientific collaboration is often strong, ensuring research outcomes are translated into practical tools and improved varieties that are adopted by farmers requires continued investment in extension and knowledge transfer.
Supporting Canadian researchers’ participation at international conferences provides significant value through networking, exposure to emerging research and technologies, information sharing, and the development of new international collaborations that can strengthen Canadian wheat research.
There may be opportunities to strengthen engagement among research funders, both internationally and within Canada, through dedicated funder workshops and renewed national forums, such as the Canadian Wheat Symposium, to encourage collaboration, reduce duplication and improve co-ordination of research investments.

Allan Feurtado, Team Lead, National Research Council of Canada

Coles Ag on August 7, 2026

Allan Feurtado is the Team Lead of Integrated Omics and Climate Resilience at the National Research Council of Canada (NRC). Growing up in Ontario, he developed an interest in plants and crops that led him to study at Queen’s University, the University of Guelph and then Simon Fraser University. His research focused on seed dormancy and germination, which eventually brought him to the Prairies and his current role at the NRC.

Where did you work before the NRC?

I first came to the NRC in Saskatoon as a PhD student through Simon Fraser University in Burnaby, BC. What was originally meant to be a one-year visit, to work with specialists in plant hormone research, turned into the place where I completed my PhD. After my PhD, I stayed at the NRC in a postdoctoral research associate role, working on seed maturation and germination. Over time, I became interested in abiotic stress, because of the parallels with events in seed development and maturation. This eventually led to my current position as team lead and research officer with the NRC’s Aquatic and Crop Resource Development Research Centre.

What got you interested in your current area of work?

My interest in plant roots stemmed from our discovery that the root system plays a significant role in wheat lodging resistance in our Prairie environments. Root biology had always interested me and its connection to lodging issues faced by farmers renewed my interest to develop a project centred on root system architecture – the shape and spatial arrangement of root systems. The second priority was figuring out the best way to look at roots. That’s where my interest in photography and imaging came in. I started thinking about how we could best use imaging technology and analysis to gain better insight into the root system diversity of our crops, and that’s also when I teamed up with root researcher Leon Kochian at the University of Saskatchewan.

Tell us a bit about what you’re working on at the NRC.

One of the current projects I’m working on is “Root of the Problem 2.0: Solidifying barley lodging,” which is a continuation of earlier work where we looked at various stem and root traits to determine which were impacting lodging resistance. The work is being done in collaboration with barley breeder Aaron Beattie at the University of Saskatchewan. Through the first “Root of the Problem” project, we conducted field trials in a small set of barley cultivars with varying lodging tendencies to confirm and validate the major traits contributing to lodging resistance in barley. We found that, in addition to plant height, wider root angles help anchor the crop and improve lodging resistance.

Since it is quite labour intensive to study roots in the field, we also wanted to use our indoor root imaging techniques to see if we could develop an efficient method that could be used to initially screen for lodging resistance. We found that root angles measured shortly after germination using hydroponic pouches were also associated with lodging resistance in the field.

Those findings led to Root of the Problem 2.0, which began in summer 2024 as a four-year project. Our goal is to further validate our findings and build an AI / machine learning model that breeders could use to select for lodging resistance using indoor root imaging. We’re also evaluating a larger collection of barley, around 250 genotypes, to better understand the genetics of root traits and develop root-based markers that will be very useful for barley breeders. We are continuing to collaborate with Aaron Beattie on the work and have added Ana Badea at AAFC Brandon to collect additional lodging data that will be important for building our models.

What can you say about the value of farmers providing funding and support to your organization?

It’s critical. At the NRC, part of our research is supported through external funding, so being able to work on projects that are directly relevant to industry and collaborate with breeders is incredibly important. Results coming out of our projects are applicable across the Prairies and involve funders from both crop organizations and government partners.

Support from farmers and the industry is essential for the research we want to do, especially bringing together the collaborations needed to elevate our research discoveries and outputs. Another important piece is science communication. It’s valuable that organizations like Manitoba Crop Alliance are interested in sharing our research with farmers and helping connect the science to the people who will ultimately benefit.

How does that farmer funding and support directly benefit farmers?

It has been important for me to build connections with crop development teams and breeders, and to work closely with them so the knowledge we are generating goes directly into breeding programs and helps develop the next generation of crops. Our goal is to give breeders tools to select barley with improved lodging resistance, which will ultimately help farmers reduce losses and improve crop productivity.

How do you spend your time outside of work?

My main hobby is photography, which relates back to my interest in image-based analysis of plants and our root imaging technologies. I’ve always enjoyed taking pictures, especially landscapes, nature, wildlife and places around Saskatchewan and Western Canada.

What is the best part about your job?

A couple of things come to mind. What really excites me is the science itself and the knowledge we can generate. Over the last decade, it has been exciting to see where that knowledge can go and the impact it can have through collaborations with plant breeders and other industry experts. The other part is working with collaborators and co-supervising students. I enjoy mentoring students, transferring knowledge and helping develop our next generation of potential scientists. It has been incredibly rewarding.

What is a good piece of advice you’ve received that has stuck with you?

Recently, I had a conversation with a new colleague about science being a team effort. We talked about surrounding yourself with people who bring diverse perspectives and expertise and about how critical this is to advancing research for Canada.

I’ve really seen the importance of that over the last five years through engaging with crop development teams, breeders, computer scientists, data engineers and AI/machine-learning experts. I see myself working at the intersection of crop biology and technology, where collaboration is essential.

It’s all part of surrounding yourself with an array of expertise and bringing different perspectives together to elevate what you are able to accomplish. That is advice I’ve received from several people over my career.

I’ve noticed a lot of wild oat escapes in some of my fields this year; what can I do to prevent it from getting worse next year?

Coles Ag on August 5, 2026

By Ashley Ammeter, Whole Farm Specialist, Manitoba Crop Alliance

Despite our best efforts, sometimes even the best laid weed control plans go wrong!

The first thing to remember is that not all weed escapes are created equal. In some cases, weeds can survive because of application timing issues, challenging weather conditions or late flushes that emerge after spraying. However, when weeds aren’t controlled by herbicide applications, herbicide resistance should also be on your radar.

A recent survey in Manitoba found that in fields with uncontrolled wild oats, 100 per cent of populations were resistant to Group 1 products, 82 per cent were resistant to Group 2 products, and 82 per cent were resistant to both Group 1 and 2 herbicides. Those numbers show how important it is to take a closer look at wild oat weed escapes.

Start with scouting

Examples of field-scale weed distribution patterns that may help diagnosing weed escapes. Image from: Dr. Charles Geddes and Alberta Grains.

Identifying why your herbicide failed to control wild oats is the first step toward finding a solution. Start by scouting the field to narrow down the cause. Consider factors such as application timing, weather conditions, late flushes after spraying and the size of the weeds when you sprayed. Look out for distribution patterns in the field that might suggest application issues, such as plugged nozzles, missed areas or poor coverage. If you’re able to rule out these causes, its time to consider herbicide resistance.

For more information on narrowing down potential causes of weed escapes, see our resource on scouting after herbicide applications.

Herbicide resistance testing

If you suspect herbicide resistance, the next step is to collect samples to send for testing. Currently, most herbicide resistance tests require samples of mature seeds from the suspected weed patch. While some species may not have mature seed until after harvest, wild oats will likely have mature seed before your crop is harvested. Keep a close eye on your wild oat patches so you can collect seeds before harvest.

The Resistant Wild Oat Action Committee has information on how to collect samples, where to send them for testing and how to interpret the results.

Managing weed escapes this season

Even if you’re waiting on herbicide resistance test results, there are still steps you can take this season to manage the long-term impacts of surviving wild oats.

Before seed set, consider mowing patches to prevent the seed maturing and returning to the soil seedbank. If you plan to submit a sample for resistance testing, leave a small patch so you can collect mature seed.

At harvest, combines can spread wild oat seeds up to 145 m. Rather than chopping and spreading straw and chaff in heavy wild oat patches, consider dropping and baling the straw. This can help contain the patch and minimize spread.

Build a long-term strategy

Whether or not you have herbicide-resistant wild oats, using an integrated weed management strategy gives you the best chance of success in your fight against weeds.

Integrated weed management incorporates cultural, mechanical and chemical control practices to manage weeds. These are just some of the possibilities!

Combining multiple strategies can significantly improve your success in managing wild oats:

Use herbicides with different modes of action such as pyroxasulfone, fall-applied granular herbicides or other effective modes of action.
Diversify crop rotations. Winter cereals can be more competitive, later-seeded spring crops allow more time for wild oat control prior to seeding, and forages are harvested before wild oat seeds shatter and return to the soil.
Consider targeted tillage in the fall to promote fatal fall germination of wild oats, or in the spring to stimulate early germination of wild oats that can be controlled prior to seeding.
Improve crop competitiveness through practices such as higher seeding rates, narrower row spacing, careful placement of fertilizers to feed the crop not the weeds or choosing taller varieties.

With weed escapes, its not only the surviving plants that matter; it’s also the thousands of seeds they contribute to next year’s weed problems! Taking the time to identify why those wild oats survived allows you to build a management plan that uses “many tiny hammers” to keep the weeds at a disadvantage and protect the effectiveness of herbicides into the future.

Manitoba Crop Alliance awards 2025-26 high school bursaries

Coles Ag on July 20, 2026

July 20, 2026 (Carman, MB) – Manitoba Crop Alliance (MCA) has awarded six graduating high school students from Manitoba with bursaries valued at $1,000 each. The six bursary recipients are Austin Dubyts from Stockton, Katie Gulak from Gilbert Plains, Aiden Brunel from Ste. Rose du Lac, Keira Duguid from Gimli, Julie McMahon from Inwood, and Ella Prejet from Notre Dame de Lourdes.

“Every year, I’m impressed by the quality of our bursary applicants and this year’s recipients are no exception,” says MCA chair Jonothan Hodson. “I look forward to seeing the valuable contributions they will make to our industry. The future of Manitoba agriculture is in great hands.”

MCA established these bursaries to assist graduating high school students within the province of Manitoba who are planning on continuing their education at a Canadian college or university in a field that will benefit the agriculture sector. MCA also awards annual bursaries valued at $2,000 each to post-secondary students enrolled in agricultural programs within the province of Manitoba. The application period for 2026-27 post-secondary bursaries will open in October.

For more information about the MCA bursary program and to learn more about the recipients, visit mbcropalliance.ca.

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For more information, please contact:

Cole Christensen
Communications Manager
Manitoba Crop Alliance
403-589-3529
cole@mbcropalliance.ca

About Manitoba Crop Alliance:
MCA represents more than 7,700 farmer members who grow wheat, barley, corn, sunflower and flax in Manitoba. MCA puts its farmer members first and strives to continuously improve their competitiveness and profitability by focusing on four main areas: research, agronomy, market development and access, and communications. By investing in these key areas, MCA ensures wheat, barley, corn, sunflower and flax remain sustainable production choices for Manitoba farmers. For more information, visit mbcropalliance.ca.

Meet Manitoba Crop Alliance’s 2025-26 high school bursary recipients

Coles Ag on July 20, 2026

MCA_2025-26 HS Bursary Recipients Graphic_X

Manitoba Crop Alliance (MCA) is proud to support agriculture’s next generation. MCA’s bursary program is designed to assist with the financial needs of students pursuing education in a field that will benefit the agriculture sector.

Six graduating high school students from Manitoba have been awarded with bursaries valued at $1,000 each. The six bursary recipients are Austin Dubyts from Stockton, Katie Gulak from Gilbert Plains, Aiden Brunel from Ste. Rose du Lac, Keira Duguid from Gimli, Julie McMahon from Inwood, and Ella Prejet from Notre Dame de Lourdes.

To qualify for these bursaries, applicants did not need to be continuing into an agriculture-specific program. However, they did need to clearly articulate how their continued studies would help them benefit the agriculture industry.

Congratulations to all the recipients!

Learn more about this year’s recipients

Riley Anderson, corn crop committee

Coles Ag on July 6, 2026

Riley Anderson farms with his wife, Lashonda, west of Morris, MB. He is fifth generation on his father’s side and sixth on his mother’s. The family operation includes his parents, Joe and Pat; his sister Kara, who is an owner; and her husband, Caleb, who helps during harvest. Riley’s sister Cheyenne also works on the farm, while sisters Kaylie and Tessa help during busy seasons. His friend Tim is also an essential part of the operation. Together, they grow corn, soybeans, wheat and oats.

What motivated you to get into farming?

“It’s in my blood,” my dad always says, and we joke about that. I loved driving tractor and riding with my grandpa and uncle when I was little. From a very young age, my parents knew farming was in my future.

What is one of your favourite parts of farming?

I absolutely love planting season. That’s when we put the crop in the ground, and it’s when the highest level of attention to detail and precision is needed. It’s intense, because that’s what sets up the rest of the season. If we don’t do a good job planting, we’re going to have very little to harvest at the end of the year.

What motivated you to get involved with Manitoba Crop Alliance (MCA)?

MCA was looking for a delegate, and a friend of mine who was on the committee called and asked if I would join. I did, and I’ve enjoyed my time here so far. I enjoy connecting with other farmers, and corn is an interesting crop in Manitoba. Traditionally, you either grow it and love growing it, or you don’t. It’s always good to meet with other people who are passionate about growing a crop I enjoy. I also think it’s very important to be part of planning where our research dollars are spent.

What does your role on the corn crop committee involve?

The No. 1 job of the corn crop committee is deciding where our check-off dollars go and how best to spend them. We strive to be good stewards of farmers’ money. Second, because corn is more of a special crop in Manitoba, part of the role is spreading knowledge and skills on how to grow corn effectively. As one of the other delegates says, it’s about spreading the love for corn.

Is there a project or area of work you’re especially proud of being part of as a delegate?

The biggest accomplishment is hiring an agronomist in residence for special crops at the University of Manitoba, Loveleen Dhillon. That’s a pretty big deal for corn and other special crops in the province. It increases capacity for corn-specific research in Manitoba.

Is there anything you’d like farmer members to know about the work MCA is doing?

MCA strives to spend every dollar to benefit Manitoba farmers. It’s for farmers at large, not just a few.

Why do you think other people should get involved with MCA?

With the amount of dollars coming in through the check-off, it’s a lot of money. We need as many smart, wise minds around the table as possible to decide how those dollars are spent. The more people involved who have a passion for moving agriculture forward, the better the ideas and research will be.

What are you most excited about when it comes to the future of your farm?

Growing more nutritious crops that have demand around the world, and bigger crops in the future as I learn how to be a better manager of my soil. I want to become a student of my soil and learn how to maximize its potential and leave my farm in a better position than my ancestors left it for me.

Do you have any hobbies outside of farming?

In the winter, I’m really into ice fishing. It gets me out of the house. In the summer, I enjoy going to sporting events. I’m a big football fan. My wife and I have also recently gotten into watching dirt track stock car racing.

What is a good piece of advice you’ve received that’s stuck with you?

Always buy good land and don’t buy bad land. Also, surround yourself with people who are smarter than you. I try to put myself in rooms where I’m not the most knowledgeable person, so I can keep learning.

What’s your go-to field meal during busy seasons?

Whatever gets sent out to the field. We used to always get sandwiches because my dad loves them, but he had some health issues a few years ago which has changed how we eat on the farm. Now we get more hot meals or low-carb options and try to eat healthy in the field instead of grabbing something quick from a gas station. My mom makes a teriyaki chicken dish with a bit of rice and vegetables mixed in. It’s so good.

What’s one thing people might be surprised to learn about you?

I was homeschooled from Kindergarten to Grade 12.

If you weren’t farming, what do you think you’d be doing?

I used to say I’d be coaching football, but I know I’m not good enough at that and probably wouldn’t make any money at it. I’d likely be working in the ag industry, maybe as a sales agronomist or in a role that involves connecting with people.

Manitoba Crop Alliance opens nominations for delegate positions on crop committees

Coles Ag on July 2, 2026

July 2, 2026 (Carman, MB) – Manitoba Crop Alliance (MCA) is now accepting nominations from farmer members to serve as delegates on its four crop committees.

“Our delegates determine how farmer check-off dollars are invested, shaping the future of Manitoba farms and guiding the direction of the industry,” says MCA CEO Pam de Rocquigny.

“Our unique governance structure ensures a strong voice for each crop type we represent and enables a cross-commodity, whole farm approach to issues on behalf of our farmer members.”

MCA delegates work towards strengthening the mandate of research, agronomy, market development and access, and communication and advocacy initiatives within each of the four crop committees: corn, flax, sunflower, and wheat and barley. They also receive personal growth opportunities, such as the chance to network with fellow farmers, researchers and industry stakeholders, while gaining a deeper understanding of all the crop industries MCA represents.

This nomination period, there are four open positions on each of the corn, flax and sunflower committees, as well as five open positions on the wheat and barley committee.

“No matter how long you’ve been farming, where in the province you farm or which of our crop types you grow, you can contribute and make a difference,” says de Rocquigny. “No previous experience is required, as our staff and existing delegates will ensure new delegates have all the tools and information they need to excel in the role.”

The nomination period will close at 4:30 p.m. CDT on Oct. 1, 2026. For more information on the nomination or election process – including eligibility requirements, responsibilities of a delegate, time requirements and how to submit a nomination form – visit our website or contact us by email at hello@mbcropalliance.ca or phone at 204-745-6661.

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For more information, please contact:

Pam de Rocquigny
Chief Executive Officer
204-745-6661
pam@mbcropalliance.ca

Rotimi Aluko, professor, University of Manitoba

Coles Ag on June 8, 2026

Connect with Rotimi on LinkedIn.

Rotimi Aluko is a professor at the University of Manitoba (UM) in the Department of Food and Human Nutritional Sciences, as well as director of the Richardson Centre for Food Technology and Research. Originally from Nigeria, he completed his undergraduate and master’s degrees in biochemistry there before earning a PhD in food science at the University of Guelph. He moved to Winnipeg in 2001, where he lives with his wife. Their two children are grown; one lives in Winnipeg and the other is in Alberta.

Where did you work before UM?

I’ve been here for 25 years, but before UM I worked as a research scientist with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) in Saskatoon.

What got you interested in becoming a professor?

From my undergraduate days I was fascinated by my professors, how they taught, carried themselves and were respected in society. I worked as a scientist with AAFC after my PhD, but I was always on the lookout for a professorial position. It had been a longtime goal, so when the opportunity came up, I took it.

Tell us a bit about what you’re working on at UM.

If I’m not teaching, I’m usually giving feedback on various documents. This includes grant applications, student theses and manuscripts, and preparing documents that highlight the centre’s activities.

In one of our current research projects, “Genotype and environment effects on sunflower and new sunflower protein study,” co-funded by Manitoba Crop Alliance (MCA), we are looking at genotype versus environment effects on sunflower seed protein content and quality.

This project has two main objectives. First, we are quantifying chlorogenic acid, the compound that causes sunflower protein to turn greenish during aqueous processing. That colour isn’t always desirable in food products, so we are screening different varieties to identify those with lower levels of chlorogenic acid. We are also screening different growing environments to see if that affects the chlorogenic acid content. If we can identify varieties with low chlorogenic acid, they could be recommended to farmers, assuming all other aspects of the seed are acceptable.

Second, we are looking at protein quality. Proteins are made up of units called amino acids, and the quality of the protein is determined by the amino acids present that the human body cannot synthesize on its own. We are developing a rapid system to measure essential amino acids, which determine protein quality. The goal is to identify sunflower varieties and growing locations that result in higher-quality protein for use in the food industry.

What can you say about the value of farmers providing funding and support to your organization?

It’s invaluable. This research would not be possible without the financial support and collaboration of farmers and MCA. Beyond funding, farmers also provide the seeds to do the work. That level of support allows us to generate results that can be applied back to the industry.

How does that farmer funding and support directly benefit farmers?

The goal of this project is to identify sunflower varieties that produce high-quality protein with a desirable colour for food use. That creates stronger demand from the food industry, especially with growing interest in plant-based products. If successful, this will give Manitoba farmers an advantage by producing seeds that are more valuable in the marketplace and can improve returns.

How do you spend your time outside of work?

I am a history buff. I like to learn about history by relaxing and watching documentaries.

What gets you most excited about your work?

When we get results that meet our objectives and lead to useful outcomes, whether for the food industry or farmers, that’s what excites me. It shows the time and investment in the research is making a real impact.

What are you excited about for the future of agriculture?

I am excited about the growing emphasis on plant-based foods. The cultivation of crops is sustainable, and the current emphasis on using more plant products in our food system is highly encouraging because it points to a more sustainable future for food, agriculture and human nutrition.

What is your favourite food or meal?

As a Nigerian, my favourite food is Jollof rice. It is a specialty rice dish with a unique preparation, and I think it’s traditionally made in Nigeria and Ghana. It’s a wonderful dish with many different versions: spicy or not spicy, with vegetables, meat or fish.

Connect with Rotimi on LinkedIn.

The 13-Year Lag: Why Today’s Wheat Breeding Success Depends on Yesterday’s Investment

Coles Ag on June 8, 2026

Wheat varieties are performing better than ever, but a “slow drip” of budget cuts means the next generation of innovation is at a critical crossroads.

Wheat varieties that deliver high yields, exceptional quality and strong disease packages are available in abundant choice to Manitoba farmers. This choice and performance are thanks to an often-overlooked wheat breeding innovation system.

“Wheat is one of my favourite crops to grow; it can withstand whatever the year throws at it,” says Jocelyn Velestuk, chair of the Canadian Wheat Research Coalition (CWRC). “In past decades that hasn’t always been the case.”

There’s lots of variables driving the success of wheat in Western Canada, but Velestuk is adamant that the foundation of that success is our wheat breeding programs. “We can’t take that system for granted and right now, it’s at risk,” she says.

While the varieties available today are excellent, the process of plant breeding means those successes are built on efforts made over 10 years ago. The average time from initial cross to commercialization for a wheat variety is 13 years. Wheat breeding is a long-term process and takes stable investment.

The CWRC has been studying the current plant breeding system and has identified some significant gaps and risks, which are outlined in a report that was released in February 2026.

“Our largest breeding program has seen a slow drip of budget cuts going back nearly two decades,” Velestuk says, referencing the Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) wheat breeding program. “The latest budget cuts exasperate an already compromised system. It’s really clear that the status quo is not an option.”

A perfect storm

The long cycle of plant breeding and the budget cuts at Canada’s largest breeding program have prompted significant concern. In the past 20 years, there have been two significant government funding cuts:

2012 Deficit Reduction Action Plan (DRAP) saw the AAFC budget cut by 12 per cent and resulted in closures of several stations and an overall loss of 60,000 plots.
2025 Comprehensive Expenditure Review (CER) will see a 15 per cent cut at AAFC within the next three years, with $112 million cut in 2026-27. Closures of research stations and job losses were recently announced.

These cuts create three distinct eras of funding for plant breeding: The pre-DRAP era when AAFC breeding programs were well funded resulted in the top varieties planted today. The post-DRAP era saw fewer crosses and fewer plots; the results of this era are just starting to be seen now. Looking forward to the post-CER era, the impact on the AAFC breeding program is unclear.

When you place the crossing dates of top performing varieties within the eras of AAFC funding, it creates a concerning reality: all of today’s most popular varieties were crossed in the pre-DRAP era.

“So far, our breeding programs are meeting the needs of farmers, but how long will we keep up performance when we’ve experienced such a drain of funding in our biggest program?” Velestuk says.

“CWRC is taking the lead on behalf of farmers to secure the future of wheat in Canada. Discussions are underway with AAFC, and we’re engaging stakeholders in finding a path forward that meets farmers’ needs.”

To learn more and read the CWRC’s full report on the Wheat Breeding Innovation System, visit wheatresearch.ca.

I think I have hard water, should I be adding AMS to my herbicide spray mix?

Coles Ag on June 2, 2026

By Ashley Ammeter, Whole Farm Specialist, Manitoba Crop Alliance

Water quality can play a significant role in pesticide performance, but it’s a consideration that often flies under our radar until a herbicide application doesn’t work as well as we hoped. If you suspect hard water, adding ammonium sulphate (AMS) could the right call, but first it’s important to know what’s actually in your water.

Start by testing your water

The first step in managing potential spray water issues is to test your water. While it’s generally good practice to test your water quality, it’s even more important if you suspect that poor water quality is affecting the performance of your herbicides. Agricultural spray water analyses are offered by many accredited agricultural laboratories, such as AGVISE Laboratories, A&L Canada Laboratories, Central Testing Laboratory and Horizon Lab.

Once you have a water quality test, Sprayers 101 has a helpful article on how to make sense of your water quality test results.

Why is hard water a problem?

Hard water contains high levels of positively charged minerals such as calcium (Ca²⁺), magnesium (Mg²⁺) and others. These minerals bind to herbicide molecules, preventing them from being absorbed by the plant and reducing efficacy.

Glyphosate (e.g., Roundup) is commonly associated with hard water antagonism, but hard water can reduce the efficacy of all weak acid herbicides (found in Groups 1, 2, 4, 6, 9, 10, 14, 19 and 27).

How much hardness is too much depends on the herbicide, rate and water volume you’re using. For glyphosate, Bayer suggests a hardness limit of up to 700 ppm, when using higher rates or lower water volumes.

Should you add AMS?

If you have hard water but don’t have access to an alternate water source, adding AMS is an effective strategy.

When added to spray water before your herbicide, the negatively charged sulphate ions in AMS tie up the hard water cations before they can antagonize the herbicide. To calculate how much AMS to use, Sprayers 101 has a helpful calculator, but many agriculture labs that offer spray water tests will include AMS recommendations in your test results, and herbicide labels or the Manitoba Agriculture Guide to Field Crop Protection often include water quality recommendations.

In some cases, reducing water volumes and/or increasing your herbicide rate can help counteract the effects of hard water, but always make sure to stay within label guidelines.

Other water quality issues to be aware of

Along with hardness, there are a few other water quality factors to keep on your radar:

Dirty water (turbidity): Particles of soil and organic matter can bind herbicides and reduce performance. Clean water is particularly important for herbicides that are known to strongly bind to soil, such as glyphosate and diquat (e.g., Reglone).
Bicarbonates: Bicarbonate ions can inhibit herbicides, particularly the Group 1 “dims,” including clethodim (e.g., Select, Centurion) and tralkoxydim (e.g., Achieve) and the Group 4 herbicides MCPA amine and 2,4-D amine.
pH (acidity or alkalinity): The pH of your spray water can impact pesticide solubility and breakdown. Unless recommended on the product label, it is generally not advised to adjust the pH of your spray solution. For those interested in learning more, Sprayers 101 has a helpful article.

My last piece of advice: always read and follow the directions on your pesticide label. While they can be long and unwieldy, the pesticide label includes key details on how to use your herbicide safely and effectively.