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Columns, Crops

The making of a healthy soil

“Soil health” is a popular topic, but Les Henry says the fine points are mostly spin

By
We hear a lot about soil soil health these days so thought I should brush up on the literature. To give the punch line first: in my opinion it is mostly spin. Any introductory course or soils textbook starts by picking a hypothetical pound of ground and revealing the basics. Soil is half solids and […] Read more
Columns

Farm Financial Planner: Widow wants to wind down farm

With no children wanting to farm, this widow wants to sell up and minimize taxes

By
A widow we’ll call Susan, 64, has a 1,120 acre farming operation in central Manitoba. She owns 800 acres personally and has another 320 acres in her farming corporation. When her husband — we’ll call him Burt, passed away, the estate was probated and quickly transferred to Susan. Now she wonders what will become of […] Read more
This Solonetzic soil has a columnar- structured B horizon, which restricts water and root penetration into sub-soil.
Columns, Crops

Learn to manage your sodic soils

Got sodic soils on your farm? Here are three options for managing those areas

By
In the last issue of Grainews I discussed the physical and chemical characteristics of sodic soils. In this issue, I’ll discuss managing those soils. Solonetzic soils in the brown or dark brown soil zones of southern Alberta or southern Saskatchewan, that are in native grassland may be best left in their native condition and used […] Read more
Columns, Crops

Do you need to hire an agronomist?

Agronomy Management: Your farm may need the assistance of an agronomist or a professional crop advisor?

By
Crop production has become much more complex and technically challenging over the past 20 years. It is increasingly difficult to balance the many demands of a successful farming operation, including the agronomic management of many different crops, crop scouting, long-term crop planning, input planning and crop marketing. These days, more and more farmers are using […] Read more
Staghead disease is of relatively low risk, but certainly be watching for clubroot.
Columns, Hart Attacks

Be on guard for clubroot in canola

Hart Attacks: If it’s in your community, be on the lookout for clubroot in your canola fields this year

By
I’m using this photo of a flowering crop heavily hit with a pest to make the point to watch out for canola diseases this year — and in particular be on the ball to detect and hopefully prevent clubroot. This southern Alberta farm didn’t expect to be coping with staghead, but it suddenly appeared out […] Read more
Wheat & Chaff

Create safe play areas for kids

By
This year, for Canadian Agricultural Safety Week, the Canadian Agricultural Safety Association is working towards “Keeping Kids Safe” as a part of the three-year theme of “Be An Ag Safe Family.” Part of keeping kids safe on the farm is creating, using, and maintaining a safe play area. Play teaches children co-operation. Play helps children […] Read more
(click image for larger view)
Columns

Stubble soil moisture, November 1, 2015

Les Henry’s annual soil moisture map gives us a true view of water availability

By
This map shows the best estimate of subsoil moisture from three inches to four feet. First — this is a map of general conditions in general areas. Do not get too hung up on the exact placement of lines. But, it is still very useful in planning for 2016 outcomes. With a soil full of […] Read more
License to Farm is a full-length film produced by SaskCanola. The goal of the film is to inspire farmers to start talking to consumers.
Columns

Ag reporting gets more glamorous

Film premieres are not usually on the list of events that farm reporters are asked to cover

By
Film premieres are rare events for farm journalists. I’ve been told by better-dressed people that farm journalists are not known for their fashion sense, so perhaps that’s the reason. So naturally I couldn’t pass up a chance to attend the License to Farm premiere at the Roxy Theatre in Saskatoon. If you haven’t seen the […] Read more
soil
Columns

Diagnosing your own sodic soils

Do you have sodic soils on your farm? Here's how to find out for sure

By
Sodic soils have a high level of exchangeable sodium (Na+) which can have a negative effect on soil quality, crop growth and yield. These soils often develop on naturally occurring high-sodium glacial till parent materials. Soil enrichment of sodium by groundwater movement can also cause sodic soil development. Sodic soils often have very poor soil […] Read more
Columns, Features

How farmers can up their game

10 ways to run your farm more like a professional business

By
Farming is often described as both a lifestyle and a living. And and although not every farm is a small business, even a small farm is a business. That concept of running a business like a business, though, can often get lost in the day to day management of a farm operation, especially if there […] Read more

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