Soil fertility: a simple concept that requires long and well thought out answers. There are lots of articles on soil nutrient testing, along with many procedures, methods and interpretations. Early on in the 1970s with Alberta Agriculture, my colleagues and I were very surprised with the answers to the soil testing questions we asked. A […] Read more
Soil fertility, revisited
Practical Research: The history of crop production on the Prairies was one of nutrient extraction at an alarming pace
Ergot-free rye production
Practical Research: Growing it in soils with adequate levels of available copper is one way to go
Yes, it can be done, by following these directions. Of course, there will be skeptics, but I am dealing with the facts and not concocted opinions. First of all, if you read my previous articles in Grainews, you will come to the factual opinion that wheat, barley and oats undergo closed pollination — that is, […] Read more
Nitrogen, nitrates and nitrites
Know the names and natures of the nutritious and noxious
Nitrogen goes makes up 80 per cent of the air that we breathe in the form of a very stable N2 gas. In my several years at university I majored in chemistry and my work on nitrogen was intensive, from its biological role to its key role in almost all military explosives. Nitrogen is one […] Read more
Let’s close the circuit on what leads to ergot
Practical Research: The solution to the problem for wheat, barley and oat growers is very well documented
“Ergot risk threatens Man., less severe elsewhere.” This title appeared in The Western Producer, Aug. 22, 2024. Let’s put that headline in proper perspective. For some reason there are agricultural specialists on the Canadian Prairies and in some states who cannot face actual facts. When you have specialists who refer to wheat as a self-pollinated […] Read more
How Prairie fruits fared in 2024
Practical Research: Past assessments show fruit trees do best on northwest- or northeast-facing slopes
We had a very cool spring in 2024, followed by a scorching summer for the third year in a row. So, how did the farm fruit gardens produce this year compared to previous years? The answer is “surprisingly well.” Among my contacts across the Prairies from north to south, fruit production varied from good to […] Read more
Memories of a great Albertan
Practical Research: Fifteen years after his passing, Joseph Gurba's long reach through the province’s farming history remains
I was offered the position of provincial plant pathologist for Alberta Agriculture by Joe Gurba, head of the crop protection branch, in August 1974. I was at the time an assistant professor at the University of Guelph, more interested in rugby coaching than in basic plant disease research. Joe told me the provincewide position would […] Read more
Where species conservation was the aim of the game
Practical Research: The Alberta Game Farm was the visionary innovation of a remarkable Canadian
When I moved from Guelph to Edmonton in 1974, I quickly found out Alberta had the world’s biggest and most innovative game farm. It was called the Alberta Game Farm, later called Polar Park, some 25 km west of the city. This farm, situated on 500 hectares (1,236 acres), was truly incredible. The huge open-air […] Read more
Perceptions and misconceptions versus realities in agriculture
Practical Research: In the court of public opinion, the drama can fog the facts
Since my retirement from Alberta Agriculture in 2002 I’ve acted as a legal expert in a number of lawsuits. Often, when a farmer is sued by a lawyer on behalf of a client, the farmer will immediately seek his own lawyer or lawyers for advice. While the lawyer may be well apprised of provincial and […] Read more
Canola in the U.S. South
Practical Research: Introducing massive acreage of new crops in established growing areas can put both new and established crops at risk
Every so often I hear about how farmers in the southern states of the U.S. will soon be growing millions of acres of canola. Of course, what would be grown would be winter canola, since crucifers such as cabbage, collard and broccoli all can survive the Georgia, South Carolina, Alabama and Tennessee winters. They get […] Read more
Let’s look at the facts on pesticides
Practical Research: Chemicals found in nature aren’t intrinsically safer than the man-made options
The May 2024 edition of Consumer Reports, published by a well-regarded U.S. not-for-profit independent organization, examined “Produce Without Pesticides.” The article carried a lead statement that some 20 per cent of the 59 fruits and vegetables in its ratings posed a high risk for pesticides. It also made the statement that some of our favourite […] Read more
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
