Tenuta can often be spotted at field days in a Hawaiian shirt, enthusiastically presenting new soil research or chatting with farmers.

Researcher focuses on farmers’ real-world problems

Groundbreaker: Mario Tenuta’s love of learning, and desire to be useful, have driven his career as a soil scientist

You’ve probably seen Dr. Mario Tenuta at an ag field day or a soil seminar. He’s the guy in the Hawaiian shirt, having a good time giving a presentation about new soil research or talking to farmers about what’s going on at their farms. Tenuta is a tenured soil ecology professor at the University of […] Read more

Reducing wild oat populations through rotations

Reducing wild oat populations through rotations

Science Brief: Combining harvest weed seed control with early-maturing crops may limit wild oat populations

Breanne Tidemann has led several research projects looking at whether harvest weed seed control can effectively control weeds. She’s found that combining harvest weed seed control with early-maturing crops may limit wild oat populations, and may lengthen the effectiveness of available herbicides. Harvest weed seed control, developed in Australia, uses equipment such as the Harrington […] Read more


Editor’s Note: Last call for CEU credits through GrowPro

It’s that time of year, when farmers and everyone around them become consumed by seeding. I hope you find time to page through this issue in between everything else you do. We’ve got three articles that have been approved for continuing education (CEU) credits. But don’t tarry, as we’ll be discontinuing the credits after June […] Read more

Cover cropping requires intention

Science Brief: Keep your goals in mind

A recent study of cover cropping in Western Canada underlines the importance of setting goals before adopting the practice. Jodi Holzman, who graduated from Royal Roads University with a master’s of science in environment and management, surveyed 26 farmers from across Western Canada who grew cover crops. She then conducted in-depth interviews with six farmers […] Read more


soil in farm field

Digging deep for soil phosphorus

Field Notes: P movement is limited in soil, particularly under dry soil conditions

As my PhD work conducted over the past four years reaches its completion, I’ve reflected on my master’s work more in the last few months than I’ve done since completing it nine years ago. In this column, I would like to highlight a few take-home messages from that work. The 4Rs of phosphorus (P) stewardship […] Read more

farmer piloting drone in canada

Evaluating new tech, products and practices

There is always something new around the corner, so how do crop consultants filter out the noise and arrive at a reliable recommendation for their clients?

With new products, new production practices and new technology converging in the agriculture industry at a frenetic pace, independent agronomists and crop advisors try to sort the wheat from the proverbial chaff as they advise clients on what might or might not work on an individual farm. Not only has the pace of introducing new […] Read more


Blackleg pseudothecia on stem

Steps to stop blackleg in canola

Agronomists and canola growers have many proven steps to manage blackleg disease in canola. Genetic resistance has been an extremely effective tool, and will remain so — as long as that resistance matches the blackleg races in a field

Blackleg disease, caused by the pathogen Leptosphaeria maculans, is common in canola across the Prairies. It can cause very high yield loss in cultivars susceptible to the predominant blackleg races in a field. The two best defences are: Seed treatment and early-season fungicides can also help, especially if the first two are compromised. This article will […] Read more

Ron Tone started his own independent agronomy business in 1996 following a 17-year farming career in southern Manitoba.

Having those tough conversations

A veteran agronomist, speaking at the recent Manitoba Agronomists Conference, offers advice on how to handle difficult discussions with clients

There is perhaps no bigger challenge for an agronomist than having a tough but frank conversation with a farmer client. You won’t get any argument on that count from Ron Tone. He founded Tone Ag Consulting in 1996, following a 17-year career as a farmer. His independent agricultural consulting firm specializes in damage claims, crop […] Read more


alberta farmland and wind turbines

Soil health benchmarking survey in Alberta

Researchers at the Chinook Applied Research Association’s Soil Health Lab have adapted a soil health assessment from Cornell University to evaluate Alberta soils

Every farmer wants “healthy soil.” But what does that mean, and how do they know if they have it? “The first question I ask when I’m speaking to farmers is, ‘How many of you have done soil testing?’” says Yamily Zavala, PhD, soil health lab manager and soil health and crop management specialist at the […] Read more

smash that delete button

What are you doing with my information?

Agronomy and the Law: Are you prepared to answer that question from a farming client?

With the increasing development and usage of precision agriculture and technological advances in the agriculture industry, farmers are experiencing huge increases in productivity, efficiency and profitability. These innovations include the industry’s development of software applications to manage farm data, sensors on implements, drones, precision machinery and GPS technology, to name a few. With this rise […] Read more