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Tag Archives Agricultural soil science

Soil background
Columns, Crops

The making of a healthy soil

“Soil health” is a popular topic, but Les Henry says the fine points are mostly spin

By
We hear a lot about soil soil health these days so thought I should brush up on the literature. To give the punch line first: in my opinion it is mostly spin. Any introductory course or soils textbook starts by picking a hypothetical pound of ground and revealing the basics. Soil is half solids and […] Read more
This is a blend of hybrid grazing brassica, tillage radish, crimson clover, fababean and RootMax annual ryegrass ready for seeding.
Crops, Features

Planning ahead for cover crops

Be ready early to get your cover crop in quickly and extend your growing season

By
Cover crops can benefit your farming operation if you have time to plan ahead. There are several possible cover crops including tillage radish, crimson clover, annual ryegrass, hybrid brassica, hairy vetch, fababean, pea, barley, oats, buckwheat and more. We sell cover crop seed to our customers for different reasons. Some intend to use the cover […] Read more
Columns, Crops

Do you need to hire an agronomist?

Agronomy Management: Your farm may need the assistance of an agronomist or a professional crop advisor?

By
Crop production has become much more complex and technically challenging over the past 20 years. It is increasingly difficult to balance the many demands of a successful farming operation, including the agronomic management of many different crops, crop scouting, long-term crop planning, input planning and crop marketing. These days, more and more farmers are using […] Read more
Tile drainage in progress south of Melfort, October 2014. The water table was high and tiles were running as soon as installed. The drain outlet is Melfort Creek. This project is on the Alan Hurd farm. Mark Gordon of Agri-Trend provided the soil EC mapping of the site and Stu Brandt of NARF (Northeast Agricultural Research Foundation) installed the observation wells and is monitoring the site.
Columns, Crops

Soil salinity: causes, cures, coping

After recent wet years, we’re seeing salinity again. Learn to cure it or cope with it

By
A few years back we predicted that the super wet years would lead to a marked increase in soil salinity. It is now happening. In this piece I am not going to talk about Solonetzic soils or true Alkali (high pH , low salts) soils. I’m talking only about saline soils — soils that have […] Read more
Features, Hogs

Liquid hog manure is liquid gold

It’s expensive to transport, but farmers near hog operations like the benefits

By
Liquid manure — particularly liquid hog manure, which is more readily available than solid or semi-solid manures — has always been viewed as a valuable nutrient source for field crop production. But it’s expensive to transport, so access is localized near hog operations. “I talk to a lot of growers growing oilseeds and cereals, and […] Read more
Zero tillage can increase P loss
Crops, Features

Zero tillage can increase P loss

Phosphorus can drain off the soil during snowmelt. Periodic tillage may reduce the losses

By
The latest soil-management recommendation will come as a surprise: In some cases, producers should consider periodic tillage to reduce the risk of phosphorus (P) loss from conservation tillage systems. According to Don Flaten, a professor in the University of Manitoba’s Department of Soil Science, zero tillage actually increases P loading from soils to surface water […] Read more
photo: lisa guenther
Crops, Features

Future seeds were sown in the past

Consider last year’s crop yields when making plans for next year’s fertility program

By
This time of year it’s typically a good idea to remind producers that the seeds of our future are sown in the past. Your 2016 crop yields will be influenced by 2015 fertility and removal rates. Basically, we need to look back at the growing season and see how certain factors influenced the current crop, […] Read more
Those critters are farming your soil
Crops, Features

Those critters are farming your soil

Soil Health: Healthy soil includes a healthy, complicated, diverse mix of bacteria and fungi

By
This was a clear message delivered by Mario Tenuta, Canada research chair in applied soil ecology and professor at the University of Manitoba, at a recent Manitoba Farm Writers and Broadcasters Association lunch. “What the heck is soil health?” asked Tenuta. “You hear a lot about it these days, especially this year, the 2015 International […] Read more
seedling emerging from soil
Columns, Crops

Western agronomy research cuts

Agronomy Management: Funding cuts have left gaps in the unbiased agronomy research that Prairie farmers need

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Over the past 100 years, agricultural research scientists, innovative farmers and private industry have done a remarkable job to develop and improve crop production practices across Western Canada. Advances in crop breeding, sustainable crop rotations, development of direct seeding technology, development of fertilizer and nutrient management practices and improved management to control weeds, insects and […] Read more
Agricultural sustainability and feeding the world
Columns, Crops

Agricultural sustainability and feeding the world

Sustainability, organic farming, and feeding the world: not as simple as they sound

By
Sustainability is a major ag buzzword today, mostly peddled by folks with little concept of what a farm is. It is being used in both crop and animal production but I will just talk about crops. To get on the “sustainable” list to market certain crops I see very strange requirements. You must not push […] Read more

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