Soil health Archives - Page 16 of 24

Timing of post-harvest spray applications is an important factor to consider. For example, some perennial weeds like Canada thistle require four to six weeks to regrow for a post-harvest herbicide application to be effective, which can be difficult in areas that receive early snowfalls.

Tips and strategies for pre- and post-harvest weed control

While in-field scouting tops the list, also consider post-spray followups, detailed record keeping, weed assessments, water quality and more

By Jim Timlick June 8, 2023

Sometimes the simplest solutions are the best ones. Breanne Tidemann, an Alberta-based researcher with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC), says boots on the ground remains one of the most effective strategies when it comes to weed control. “Don’t rely, especially in the spring, on the 80-kilometre-per-hour drive-by. Get out and get those boots on the […] Read more

Cattleman’s Corner

Ideas for extended fall and winter grazing

Annual crops and protein supplements are among the options

By Heather Smith Thomas June 2, 2023

There are many ways to extend the grazing season on most farms and ranches. In years with not enough rain in regions without irrigation, native pastures and hay aftermath don’t produce as much forage as normal, One option to increase forage production is seeding and grazing annual crops, which may include cereals and brassicas. Extending […] Read more

Soleado zinnias are a sight to behold when in full colour, as you can see from these stunning golden yellow flowers with a contrasting mahogany centre. This zinnia variety is an excellent choice for cut flowers, standing up well and growing up to 45 centimetres tall.

Farm Life

Need a reason to grow zinnias?

They’re beautiful additions to any garden and can also help vegetables grow

By Ted Meseyton May 26, 2023

My father used to say the best apples on the tree are the furthest away on the limb. You have to reach for them, so reach for the stars. My dad filled me with memories and stories that will stay with me for as long as I live. He gave me what I wanted most […] Read more

In mid-summer, when prolonged hot weather occurs, a quarter section pivot system that puts out 900 U.S. gallons per minute may not be able to keep up with daily crop water use. If a pivot system cannot keep up with peak water use requirements, growth and yield may suffer.

Columns

How to manage and schedule irrigation, Part 2

Maintain proper moisture levels during the growing season for optimum crop yield

By Ross H. McKenzie May 25, 2023

Initially, at the start of a growing season, an irrigation manager wants to ensure adequate water is available for crop germination. Sometimes, light, frequent water applications are needed to ensure excellent, uniform germination, emergence, stand establishment and early crop growth. This is possible with low pressure pivot irrigation systems, which apply rates as low as […] Read more

In high-risk areas where a crop is stalled and flea beetles are feeding aggressively, the action threshold of 25 per cent may be met and surpassed within hours. In a situation like this, growers may want to spray at less than 25 per cent leaf area loss, giving the crop a chance to get through the day a little stronger, offers CCC’s Curtis Rempel.

Canola, Crops

Flea beetles: how to improve spray results

Five important tips when applying foliar insecticides

By Jay Whetter May 11, 2023

You’ve probably heard this before: the best defence against flea beetles is a canola crop that emerges uniformly, with five to eight plants per square foot, and grows quickly to the four-leaf stage. Weather conditions often conspire against these best laid plans, pushing canola growers to plan B: foliar insecticide. Farmers get particularly frustrated when […] Read more

A typical brome grass field of the many I drive by on the way to Dundurn Farm. In wet years, there are many bales and in dry years only a few bales. The rain or soil moisture is always needed but if fertility is missing, wet years become ordinary years not high-yield years.

Columns, Crops, Hay, Pasture

Les Henry: New wrinkles when fertilizing grass crops for hay and pasture

One quarter section of fertilized grass could give the same yield as five quarters of “cut what is there”

By Les Henry May 10, 2023

There are many old grass stands that are mainly brome grass and serve as hayfields with occasional grazing. Many hayfields have never seen a kernel of fertilizer. Perhaps this piece will start folks thinking and will lead to a change in practice. There are many old reports that deal with the topic. The two main […] Read more

This Prairie Magic apple tree has scarring on the lower trunk. The wound appears to have healed over well but it should be monitored closely for any change.

Farm Life

Protect your fruit trees from fire blight

Singing Gardener: Plus some tips for disinfecting garden tools

By Ted Meseyton May 5, 2023

Hi folks! It’s Ted here. I’m back again and so glad my gardening companions are tracking right along with me on the Grainews Singing Gardener page. Thanks for coming by this way. Gardening is an art, a craft and an opportunity to be the student of a lifelong teacher. She shouts out to us, “Learn from me. […] Read more

For irrigation farmers, two critical terms to understand are allowable depletion and readily available water. Allowable depletion is the amount of water that can be removed from soil without affecting crop yield or inducing crop water stress. The water between field capacity and allowable depletion is referred to as readily available water.

Columns, Crops

How to manage and schedule irrigation, Part 1

Here’s how to prevent water-induced stress on your crops

By Ross H. McKenzie May 4, 2023

Two costly mistakes irrigation farmers can make are not starting to irrigate soon enough in spring and not applying enough water to keep up with crop water demands during the growing season. Good irrigation water management simply involves determining the correct amount of irrigation water to apply at the right times. The goal of irrigation […] Read more

To produce ammonia, the fixed nitrogen requires huge quantities of energy in the form of heat and pressure plus natural gas. That is why urea is $1,000 or more per ton.

Columns, Crops

The many forms of nitrogen fixation

Huge energy inputs are required

By Ieuan Evans May 1, 2023

How many of you know almost all of the non-nuclear munitions or bomb explosions that occur worldwide are due to the fertilizer nitrogen? There are other explosive chemicals, like potassium chlorate and silver iodide, but they are minor compared with fixed nitrogen. Dynamite, Semtex, picric acid, gun powder, gelignite and all of those other explosives, […] Read more

Aphanomyces euteiches is believed to be one of the main culprits behind the increasing incidence of root rot in pulse crops such as lentils in Western Canada.

Crops, Features, Pulses

Root rots in pulses update for 2023

Scientists and plant breeders are hopeful they can provide solutions, but long and diverse crop rotations are still the best management options

By Jim Timlick May 1, 2023

Over the last decade, root rots have become widespread on the Canadian Prairies and are now a fact of life for many pulse growers. Grow the same crop long enough, experts say, and it’s almost certain root rots will show up in your fields. And it’s no small problem for farmers in Western Canada. Some […] Read more

U.S. grains: Soybean futures edge up as Argentina ends export tax waiver

U.S. livestock: Hog futures hit contract high, herd falls short of estimates

Eastern wheat to be included in Cereals Canada’s harvest assessment

GFM Network News