PhoSul, a new phosphorus fertilizer combining rock phosphate, sulfur, and silica to reduce nutrient tie-up and improve soil health, was launched into the Canadian crop market at Ag in Motion 2025.
New fertilizer product aims to reduce tie-up, improve soil health
Vancouver-area company’s PhoSul product combines rock phosphate, sulphur and silica
Verticillium may undermine canola blackleg resistance
Verticillium stripe may compromise blackleg resistance protection in canola, new research out of Manitoba suggests
University of Manitoba research finds verticillium stripe in canola can break down blackleg resistance, creating challenges for disease management and yield protection on the Prairies.
Wheat stem sawfly: how a harvest tweak can protect yields, preserve parasitoids
Stubble height of at least six inches can help make a significant sawfly enemy right at home
Boosting populations of natural enemies such as Bracon cephi gives farmers a low-cost, sustainable way to reduce wheat stem sawfly losses without relying on insecticides that rarely work.
Decoding the science behind the story
Reporter’s Notebook: The more I do this, the more familiar the terms become
Some days my job becomes a bit like codebreaking: I have to take the specialist language of science and translate it into something useful, not just readable.
Shady solution? Solar panels may ease drought stress on pasture
A U.S. study showed that while forage yields were slightly reduced in wetter years due to shade cast by solar panels, the yields were up during dry periods, suggesting the panels may help moderate the effects of drought on pasture.
Swather-sprayer retrofit a clever solution to winter wheat’s tight planting window
A researcher and a zero-till pioneer develop a new way to get winter wheat right into spring canola stubble
A system to spray pre-seed herbicide at the same time as swathing isn’t just a clever labour-saver, but could help overcome one of the biggest obstacles keeping Prairie farmers out of winter wheat: the timing.
Demystifying biological inputs
A new partnership brings science-based field data to ag input listings to help growers sort fact from fiction
Biome Makers’ BeCrop Trials system measures changes in the soil microbiome after a product is applied. While the AgList/Biome Makers badge doesn’t validate efficacy, it signals a product has been through third-party field trials.
Clubroot resistance: what new seed labels would mean for canola growers
Proposed label changes could provide growers with detailed info to rotate varieties and preserve resistance in canola crops
Improved seed labelling can help canola growers make better variety choices, reduce disease pressure and protect the long-term effectiveness of clubroot resistance.
Hazy conditions, clear decisions: How wildfire smoke affects spraying and crops on the Prairies
No direct research has yet been done on how wildfire smoke affects herbicide application
As wildfire smoke becomes more common on the Prairies, understanding its effects on herbicide performance and crop development can help farmers make better-informed spraying decisions and avoid costly delays.
Using nematodes to control crop pests
Alberta research and U.S. commercialization suggest soil-dwelling nematodes could become a practical option for Prairie pest control
Alberta research and U.S. commercialization suggest soil-dwelling nematodes could become a practical option for Prairie pest control.
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
