Research at Manitoba Diversification Centres shows farmers can seed legumes with spring wheat to establish cover crops without hurting yield, even in dry years.
Tag Archives cover crops
Cover crops seeded with wheat show no yield penalty in Manitoba trials
Seeding legumes with wheat shows promise gettting a cover crop established during the short growing season
Farmers weigh strategies to boost soils’ water-holding capacity
At Ag in Motion, experts discuss soil texture, organic matter and amendments
At Ag in Motion, experts share insights on soil texture, organic matter, cover crops and targeted amendments to help Prairie farmers conserve water and protect yields.
Lessons learned growing forage mixtures for beef production
While polycrop forage blends offer many benefits, farmers need to adapt their strategies to their specific environments
As with any farming practice, taking a run at a polycrop forage blend can lead to varying results based on your location, weather and management strategies.
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
Restore productivity on your eroded knolls
Landscape restoration, cover cropping, residue redistribution and adjusting crop inputs are some management practices that can help
The eroded knolls or hilltops common in Prairie farmland are typically the least productive, often yielding considerably less than other parts of a field. Curtis Cavers, an agronomist with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada based at Portage la Prairie, Man., says there are ways to boost crop productivity in these problem areas. Cavers provided an assessment […] Read more
Sorghum sudangrass may help soil beat back diseases
The crop’s benefits for farmers are piling up, but be aware of some drawbacks, experts say
Researchers have found potential in sorghum sudangrass — a hybrid of sorghum varieties — as a fungal disease-fighting, soil-enriching grass for cover crops. Although the research was conducted in Prince Edward Island, some say there may be applications for Western Canada as well — including potential as highly-nutritious cattle feed. Two Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada […] Read more
Strip tillage reducing erosion risk
For this Alberta farmer, the practice is one tool to protect vulnerable crops from the blast of prevailing winds
John Kolk hasn’t ironed out all the wrinkles involved in getting a crop seeded and growing while reducing or eliminating the risk of soil erosion, but the southern Alberta farmer has made “significant progress.” In recent years, a combination of practices that include cover crops and strip tillage have helped to hold the soil in […] Read more
Opposing exposure to erosion
Early indications in Alberta research are that soil stays put, with no adverse effect on crop performance
Strip tillage and cover crops are two techniques being tested in southern Alberta applied research trials, seeking practices that will help reduce the risk of soil erosion. Farmers on the Prairies — and across North America — have made huge strides over the past 40 years in reducing soil losses by applying conservation farming practices […] Read more
Shorter-season soybeans play host to rye
Broadcasting rye offers more harvest management options, healthier soils — and cattle feed
Glacier FarmMedia — Growers often fall into two categories: those who follow convention and those who set their own pace amid questions from others. Meet Reuben Stone. Operating a value-added farm business near Cobden, Ont., about 100 km northwest of Ottawa, Stone grows several specialty crops including peas and hemp, while servicing a growing cover […] Read more
Grazing cover crops shows soil health dividends
Livestock producers see the benefits but say they could really use more information
Glacier FarmMedia — If you’ve wondered whether livestock producers are taking a different approach to cover crops than those growing them for the grain — and are seeing distinct benefits in doing so — the surveys so far say yes. Callum Morrison, a crop production extension specialist for Manitoba Agriculture at Carman and a master’s […] Read more
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