Variable-rate fertilizer (VRF) application has caught the interest of a lot of farmers over the past 15 years. However, the level of adoption of VRF has been slower than expected. A Fertilizer Canada survey of canola farmers in Western Canada in the fall of 2021 found only 10.2 per cent of growers used VRF application […] Read more
Why are farmers slow to adopt variable-rate fertilizer technology?
Reasons for the slow adoption rate plus tips to get you started
Do Prairie crops need boron fertilizer?
Before you apply boron fertilizer, read this
We often hear about the need for boron (B) fertilizer to optimize canola production and occasionally for other crops. However, boron is not widely used as a fertilizer in Western Canada. In the fall of 2021, Fertilizer Canada surveyed western Canadian wheat and canola growers to determine fertilizer use. This survey found about 8.6 per […] Read more
Nitrogen fertilizer management to reduce nitrous oxide emissions, Part 2
Adopt 4R practices appropriate for your farm’s crops, soils, landscapes and agro-ecological areas
In the last issue of Grainews (see ‘Nitrogen fertilizer management to reduce nitrous oxide emissions, Part 1’), I discussed the government of Canada’s target to reduce levels of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from fertilizer application 30 per cent below 2020 levels by 2030. As stated in that feature, it is my opinion many western Canadian […] Read more
Nitrogen fertilizer management to reduce nitrous oxide emissions, Part 1
4R nutrient stewardship practices could be the only answer needed to reduce emissions
In December 2020, the government of Canada announced a national target to reduce absolute levels of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from fertilizer application by 30 per cent below 2020 levels by 2030. What does this mean for western Canadian farmers? It does not mean a 30 per cent reduction in nitrogen fertilizer use! But it […] Read more
Soil sampling time is here again
Five factors to consider to ensure success this fall
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
Acid soil management in your fields
How to prevent, manage and remediate acid soils
Soil acidity is determined by measuring soil pH. The “H” refers to hydrogen and the “p” refers to hydrogen concentration on a negative logarithm scale (soil pH is -log [H+]). A soil pH of 7.0 is neutral, meaning the hydrogen (H+) ion concentration in soil equals the hydroxyl (OH-) ion concentration. A soil pH less […] Read more
How to develop sulphur fertilizer recommendations
Here’s how to take samples, interpret soil test results and more
In recent Grainews issues, I have discussed developing nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) fertilizer recommendations. I will continue with this theme and discuss developing sulphur (S) fertilizer recommendations in this column. Sulphur deficiency was first observed in Alberta more than 90 years ago on grey wooded soils. Over the past 30 years, sulphur […] Read more
How to develop potassium fertilizer recommendations
When, where and how much potassium is needed for your crops
In previous Grainews issues, I have discussed how to develop nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) fertilizer recommendations. In this issue, I will focus on the development of potassium (K) fertilizer recommendations. Most crops take up potassium in relatively high amounts, often similar to nitrogen. About 25 to 30 per cent of Prairie soils are estimated […] Read more
How to determine the recommended rate of phosphorus fertilizer
Understand how your crops will respond to phosphorus and under what conditions
In the Jan. 18 issue of Grainews, I discussed developing nitrogen (N) fertilizer recommendations. In this article, I will discuss developing phosphorus (P) fertilizer recommendations. For many Prairie farmers, phosphorus is the second most limiting soil nutrient in crop production for cereal and oilseed crops. With respect to fertilizer use, phosphorus is second only to […] Read more
How to develop nitrogen fertilizer recommendations
Each field and crop deserves thought and attention
In last December’s Grainews, I discussed interpretation of soil test reports. In this column, I will discuss developing nitrogen (N) recommendations. In the next several columns, I will discuss developing fertilizer recommendations for phosphorus (P), potassium (K), sulphur (S) and other nutrients. Western Canadian farmers spend more money on nitrogen fertilizer than all other nutrients […] Read more
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