The trace mineral status of our cows and calves is a significant challenge for western Canadian producers and veterinarians.
Tag Archives Copper deficiency
Beef cattle more prone to trace mineral deficiencies
Animal Health: A recent study showed connections between some trace mineral deficiencies and disease
Micronutrient applications compared in canola
Saskatchewan study aims to shed light on claims and concepts surrounding lesser-known crop nutrients
An ongoing northeastern Saskatchewan trial looks at micronutrient applications, specifically boron, copper and zinc, to see whether those applications boost yield in canola crops.
Ergot-free rye production
Practical Research: Growing it in soils with adequate levels of available copper is one way to go
Yes, it can be done, by following these directions. Of course, there will be skeptics, but I am dealing with the facts and not concocted opinions. First of all, if you read my previous articles in Grainews, you will come to the factual opinion that wheat, barley and oats undergo closed pollination — that is, […] Read more
Let’s close the circuit on what leads to ergot
Practical Research: The solution to the problem for wheat, barley and oat growers is very well documented
“Ergot risk threatens Man., less severe elsewhere.” This title appeared in The Western Producer, Aug. 22, 2024. Let’s put that headline in proper perspective. For some reason there are agricultural specialists on the Canadian Prairies and in some states who cannot face actual facts. When you have specialists who refer to wheat as a self-pollinated […] Read more
Peatland farming, the Prairies’ best-kept secret
Practical Research: Improving these lands' copper fertility could potentially pay significant dividends
In 1981, I heard a discussion on micronutrients in crop production by the late Jerry Stoller. He talked about the need to pay attention to the micronutrient needs of crops, because just like macronutrients — nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and sulphur — they can be depleted over time on even the best cropland. Stoller also said […] Read more
How a worldwide destructive cereal disease problem was solved in Alberta
In the story of ergot in wheat, barley and oats, the answer was simply 'copper'
When I was first hired by Alberta Agriculture as a diagnostic plant pathologist, I was told I would be primarily responsible for barley, oat, wheat and canola diseases. I was also asked to head up the provincial control program for bacterial ring rot of potato (BRR). The BRR program, run in partnership with the federal […] Read more
Identifying copper deficiency in wheat
Ieuan Evans looks at 2019 growing conditions, including areas where copper levels are low
In early August in central Alberta I was still seeing yellow fields of canola. Honeybees and mosquitoes were having an extended nectar flowing season. I will stick my neck out as usual and make a few observations and prophecies across the Western Prairies. Crops are late in the northern part of the Western Prairies, but […] Read more
Don’t blame ergot on the weather
Copper deficiency leads to the development of many diseases in cereal crops
If you’re a pedigreed seed grower and you’ve discovered that one of your seed fields, either wheat or barley, is infested with ergot, you have a problem but it’s not what most, if not all of you think. Don’t blame it on a common diagnosis of cold, wet growing conditions. It’s more likely caused by […] Read more
Copper critical for pre-calving cows
It doesn’t take much to correct a deficiency so watch for symptoms
Recently, I gave a dinner presentation to a group of beef producers outlining the importance of feeding a good mineral program to pre-calving cows. Afterward, I was surprised by the number of questions about the possibility of a copper deficiency in their beef cattle. With calving season underway or soon to start, we all agreed […] Read more
The fine balance of managing copper
Sheep and goats and cattle do not have the same copper needs
We have had several new producers this winter trying to convince us it just isn’t true that sheep cannot be fed copper. Apparently they are doing it without any problems. Since we are coming into lambing season it is a good time to address these ideas. It needs to be clear that sheep and goats […] Read more
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