Q: What other weed management tools should I consider in addition to herbicide rotation? A: Agriculture and food production has benefited from weed control with herbicides for many decades. Careful use of herbicides is a safe, quick and effective means to stop weeds from competing for water, nutrients and light. This is not a perfect […] Read more
Weed resistance management is not just about herbicide rotation
Q & A with an expert
Tips to interpret soil test results
Q & A with an expert
Q: What factors should I consider when using soil test results for fertilizer recommendations? A: Using the three-legged stool analogy, the three legs of a good soil test are a good collection of the sample, the choice of an appropriate lab and the final interpretation of results. There is risk to variance and error in […] Read more
When wheels cause soil damage
Q & A with an expert
Q: Can we fix compaction? A: As equipment becomes bigger and total loaded weight becomes heavier, our soils are often subjected to compaction. When equipment was lighter, this compaction tended not to extend very deep into the soil, and the effect was often resolved by frost cycles that fractured and turned the surface soil. Now, […] Read more
P is for peas
Q & A with an expert
Q: Do peas need phosphorus fertilizer? A: We know that when peas are inoculated with the proper rhizobia bacteria, they can fix their own nitrogen, which means no additional nitrogen fertilizer is required. Therefore, when planning your fertilizer needs, the question is do peas need phosphorus (P) fertilizer? The answer is, yes, peas require more […] Read more
Tips for the safe use of crop protection products
Q & A with an expert
Q: How do I use crop protection products safely? A: Agricultural field pesticides are valuable tools to help growers control weeds, certain insects and crop disease. It is imperative that pesticides be used safely to protect both the applicator and the local environment. Each pesticide will have details as to its safe use on the […] Read more
Help! How do I get ready for seeding?
Q & A with an expert
Q: What’s your best advice for young farmers? A. My best advice is not about pest control or nutrient management, but to remember where we farm. Western Canadian farmers are not blessed with a long growing season. We grow crops with maturity that often barely fit between the bookends of the last spring and the […] Read more
Copper deficiencies can reduce wheat yields
Q & A with Nutrien Ag Solutions
Q: How do I know if I have copper-deficient soils? A: Copper is the micronutrient most often found deficient in Western Canada. In a nutshell, copper deficiency is most often found in deep sandy soils and peat soils, and wheat is the most sensitive crop. Soil tests are a good tool to predict potential copper […] Read more
Pre- and post-harvest weed control
Q & A with CPS
Q: When should I start weed control for my crop? A: A weed-free crop at harvest represents the cumulative effort of field management during the season. To manage many weed species, the season begins the previous fall. Pre-harvest weed control tends to focus glyphosate application on perennial weeds such as quackgrass or Canada thistle. At […] Read more
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