agronomy Archives - Page 16 of 18

Respectable research reporting

It’s harder than you might expect to report accurately on the latest agronomy research

By Lisa Guenther March 4, 2016

I’m a fan of ag research. When I’m reporting on new ag research, I do my best to figure out how the study was set up and whether there are any major flaws. I try to communicate this to readers. I have one of Les Henry’s columns on farm research taped next to my computer, […] Read more

Crops, Features

New crops, new learning curve

Include corn and soybeans the right way, and reap the rewards

By Glenda Clezy March 4, 2016

There are more corn and soybean varieties designed for Prairie growing conditions than ever before. That’s good news for growers looking to diversify, but it’s important to make sure they’re incorporated in the right way to maximize benefits and yields. Corn and soybeans are easily included in most crop rotations, providing the opportunity to expand […] Read more

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 Les Henry March 1, 2016

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

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 Ross H. McKenzie February 25, 2016

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

Columns

Diagnosing your own sodic soils

Do you have sodic soils on your farm? Here's how to find out for sure

By Ross H. McKenzie February 19, 2016

Sodic soils have a high level of exchangeable sodium (Na+) which can have a negative effect on soil quality, crop growth and yield. These soils often develop on naturally occurring high-sodium glacial till parent materials. Soil enrichment of sodium by groundwater movement can also cause sodic soil development. Sodic soils often have very poor soil […] Read more

Barley, Features

Recommended malt barley varieties

Tired of the same old thing? Try a new malt barley variety this spring

By Leeann Minogue February 16, 2016

Last year, 73 per cent of Prairie acres that grew two-row malt barley were seeded with AC Metcalfe or CDC Copeland. Because both of these varieties have been available for quite a few years, Michael Brophy, President and CEO of the Brewing and Malt Barley Research Institute (BMBRI), would like farmers to have more options. […] Read more

Cereals, Crops

Find the right cereal variety for your farm

Agronomy tips... from the field

By Bryan Ulmer February 11, 2016

Variety selection in cereals, like every crop in your rotation, is one of your first and most important management decisions. Each variety is unique, as are the growing conditions on your farm. A variety’s performance is going to vary across environments due to many factors, including soil type, precipitation, fertility, temperature, planting date, pest infestations, […] Read more

Shawna Mathieson is the executive director of the Prairie Oat Growers Association (POGA), which is working to develop new markets for Canadian oats.

Crops, News, Oats

Oat acreage forecast up

Price and disease a big factor in pushing oat acres across the Prairies

By Angela Lovell February 2, 2016

Around 2.9 million acres of oats were planted across Canada in 2015 according to Statistics Canada, and although acres have been dropping over the past few years, oat production will likely be up by more than 10 per cent this spring to around 3.3 million tonnes. Last year, the majority of those acres were planted […] Read more

Summer Landscape with a field of yellow flowers. Sunset

Canola, Wheat & Chaff

2015 weather affects 2016 agronomy

Agronomy tips... from the field

By Rob Klewchuk January 28, 2016

Now that 2015 is pretty much under our belts, I think we can say, in general, that weather conditions got off to a fairly good start and then turned unusually dry for the balance of the season. And when the rains eventually did come, they came at the wrong time — creating challenging conditions at […] Read more

Crops, Features

Zero tillage can increase P loss

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

By Julienne Isaacs January 28, 2016

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

GFM Network News

U.S. livestock: ‘Relentless’ fund selling knocks down CME cattle futures

U.S. grains: Soy futures slide as traders worry China may miss US buying target

Pulse Weekly: Steady prices, high production for chickpeas

Tag Archives agronomy