Soil health Archives - Page 23 of 24

Soil sampling time is here again

Five factors to consider to ensure success this fall

By Ross H. McKenzie October 24, 2022

It’s soil sampling season again. There’s lots of good information on soil sampling procedures provided by various reputable sources, such as the provincial agriculture departments, crop commissions and fertilizer dealers. I won’t do a detailed review on sampling procedures in this article. Instead, I will comment on a few key issues for consideration to ensure […] Read more

Josh Fankhauser’s intercrop mix of oats, barley, peas and radish. In his
system, intercrops meant for the combine are usually two to three species,
but those intended for forage, such as this one, can include more.

Crops, Features, Practical Tips

Tried-and-true soil strengthening tips

An Alberta producer offers a look at his soil health tactics

By Jeff Melchior October 21, 2022

There’s a lot of talk in ag circles today about soil health. Several farmers are looking beyond current soil practices to what can be done to make their soil sustainable in the long run. This is nothing new to Josh Fankhauser. His family has been using practices to build soil health on their southern Alberta […] Read more

Columns, Crops

What is sustainable agriculture?

Prairie farmers have adopted some of the most sustainable practices among agricultural producers in the world

By Ieuan Evans October 18, 2022

No, sustainable agriculture is not organic farming, wildlife management, having a mixed livestock and grain system or anything else. It is efficient, effective, common sense crop production. In recent years, Prairie farmers have adopted some of the most sustainable practices among agricultural producers in the world. Contrary to the naysayers who rant about the destruction […] Read more

During the growing season, the pathogen produces fruiting bodies called pycnidia that appear as pepper-like
spots within lesions on young leaves. Once the leaves are infected, the fungus can spread into the stem,
eventually leading to the most damaging phase of the disease — stem cankering — usually at ground level.

Crops, Features

New products, genetic tools aimed at key crop diseases

It takes a multi-pronged approach to control diseases that constantly change

By Lee Hart October 17, 2022

Western Canadian canola, corn and soybean growers will have valuable new crop protection tools for the 2023 growing season, as Corteva Agriscience introduces new packages of seed treatment products that control a range of crop pests. Known as the LumiGEN seed treatment packages — each tailored for canola, corn and soybeans — the idea is […] Read more

Andrew McGuire says soil organic matter should be concentrated near the soil surface because that’s where it will do the most good.

Crops, Features

Sensible soil health for farmers

Take a problem-solving approach to soil management

By Mark Halsall September 26, 2022

With increasing emphasis on soil health these days, there are lots of different tests and parameters for measuring it. But just how important are they? Perhaps not as important as you think, according to Andrew McGuire, a cropping systems agronomist with the Washington State University extension program. He believes there’s an overemphasis on tests for […] Read more

Every oil field in the world is simply a product of the diatoms in the world’s oceans.

Columns

The biology of oil and coal

A deep dive into their formation and uses

By Ieuan Evans September 15, 2022

Both oil and coal are the products of plain and simple plant photosynthesis. That is the chlorophyll in green diatoms, microscopic algae and green plants on land, which thrived hundreds of millions of years ago as they trapped the sun’s radiant light energy. These microscopic green algae in the world’s oceans took light energy from […] Read more

In June, Grainews Soils and Crops columnist, Les Henry, was awarded the honorary doctor of laws degree from the University of Saskatchewan in appreciation of his lifetime achievements. From left to right: U of S president Peter Stoicheff, Les Henry and U of S chancellor Grit McCreath.

Editor's column, Wheat & Chaff

Editor’s Column: Les Henry has a message

By Kari Belanger September 12, 2022

I think we are very fortunate to have the columnists we do at Grainews. Each has a unique perspective and voice in the industry, is an expert in their field and provides information that directly or indirectly affects the profitability of your farms in an engaging and accessible way. If you’re not familiar with the […] Read more

David Lobb, a U of M soil science professor and researcher, considers soil organic matter and crop yield the two main indicators of soil health. He says soil organic matter levels are vital to crop production. Lobb blames the loss of topsoil and organic matter primarily on erosion.

Crops, News

The biggest bang for your buck? Improve soil organic matter

Soil organic matter is vital for crop production and soil health — here’s what it does, why and how to improve it on hilltops and knolls

By Lee Hart September 2, 2022

If you can tackle only one thing on your farm to enhance crop yields, let it be ways to improve soil organic matter. That may be somewhat of an oversimplification considering all of the factors that affect yield, but protecting and, where needed, improving soil organic matter levels may deliver the biggest bang for the […] Read more

This photo shows Earl Christiansen at the Shaunavon site in 2006. Earl and I had gone to check out the site after 24 years. Farmer Bruce Poppy left the patch of grass as we suggested and left our nest of piezometers. The “deep” 53-foot piezometer has since started to flow but not enough to cause flooding, so it is OK. In this case “deep” was 53 feet.

Columns, Crops

Les Henry: How deep is deep?

Let us stretch your brain

By Les Henry August 30, 2022

Thanks to readers for your book orders and kind notes of encouragement about my column. A recurring comment from readers is they appreciate the “thought provoking” ideas. Over many years of writing, there have been many articles that just provide facts and figures and specific recommendations for crop and soil conditions. However, some are designed […] Read more

Stuart Chutter, product coordinator for Alberta’s Agriculture Financial Services Corporation (AFSC), says research has shown the leading factor to reducing the risk of yield loss on the farm is high soil organic matter. One day, crop insurance rates may reflect that.

News

What’s the relationship between soil organic matter and crop insurance?

Adjusting insurance premiums based on soil quality factors is an idea now being discussed

By Lee Hart August 25, 2022

This is all just in the thinking stage right now, but the day may come when farms that can demonstrate production practices that maintain high levels of soil organic matter may qualify for reduced crop insurance premiums. It is a concept being pondered right now by Alberta’s crop insurance agency, the Agriculture Financial Services Corporation […] Read more

U.S. criticizes Mexico’s handling of screwworm near border

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

GFM Network News