University of Manitoba researchers are hoping to kill two birds with one kidney stone by mining manure
Struvite is a naturally occurring mineral that forms kidney stones, says Dr. Don Flaten, soil scientist. The mineral, which can be made from hog manure, is also a phosphate source which is less water-soluble than commercial phosphate fertilizers. Regular phosphorus fertilizers dissolve quickly, leaving high salt concentrations, which can kill seedlings if too much fertilizer […] Read moreUsing vertical tillage tools with a no-till system can warm up the soil and unlock fertility in lower levels, increasing yield potential
Saturation. Denitrification. Ruts. Saturated soils need special attention to come back to normal production
Excess water can deplete soils. During years of excess water, plants will experience extra stress. In the years after land has been saturated, it’s important for farmers to re-evaluate their fertility programs. Soil depletion “Soil testing is especially important since nitrogen levels may be depleted due to denitrification and the potential for salinity may increase,” […] Read moreThe productive top layer of Prairie soils is relatively thin. Once it’s lost, it can take years to recover
Once topsoil erodes, it is slow to recover. Research indicates that “the estimated loss of a quarter inch would take over 10 years to replenish, assuming no further erosion occurs,” says Murray Lewis, land resource specialist with the Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s Saskatoon Research Centre. Erosion is an ongoing issue that will always require management. […] Read more
Researchers agree that the most effective way to control the spread of clubroot is to sanitize machinery. This is effective, but time consuming
Whether you’re trying to keep clubroot from infecting your soil in the first place, or stop it from moving from field to field, there are strategies to use
By the time you find a patch in your field that’s infected with clubroot, Clint Jurke, agronomy specialist with the Canola Council of Canada told delegates at the International Clubroot Workshop in Edmonton in June, “that disease has probably already been in the field for years.” In fact, it’s likely already spread to the rest […] Read moreBee deaths are getting a lot of attention. New research shows this mystery could be linked to seed treatments
After Ontario recorded 240 bee kills last year, involving 40 different beekeepers, it’s no surprise that the issue of bee deaths has been front and centre in the media or that there is confusion about the various research reports that have been unearthed. Shrinking numbers of honey bees across Europe and North America has prompted […] Read moreSome pesticides will take longer to break down than others; the outcome will depend on both the pesticide and the environment
Canada uses over 35 million kilograms of pesticide active ingredients per year,” says Dr. Annemieke Farenhorst, a soil science professor at the University of Manitoba. Farenhorst studies the persistence and transport of agrichemicals — including pesticides — in soil, water, and air. Some active ingredients break down more quickly than others. Pesticide break down How […] Read more
