cover crops Archives - Page 2 of 8

“Everything you do in farming is a risk, and so if there’s a way we can support them in reducing that risk, I’d like to be a part of that.” – Jodi Holzman.

Researcher looks to shine a light on cover crops

April 25, 2023

Jodi Holzman is a woman on a mission — to collect as much information she can about how Prairie producers are growing cover crops and then disseminate her findings to help farmers do the best job they can with them. Holzman grew up on a family grain farm near Scott, Sask., and for the past […] Read more

Callum Morrison taking soil moisture readings using a soil moisture probe in one of the long-term cover crop research plots at the University of Manitoba’s Ian N. Morrison Research Farm in Carman, Man. These plots, along with plots at the University of Manitoba’s Glenlea Research Station in Glenlea, Man., are part of a field trial that has a four-year rotation with cover crops and the same four-year rotation without cover crops.

Crops, Features

Cover cropping on the Prairies

A farmer survey shows many producers are growing cover crops successfully, but more agronomic knowledge and supports are needed

By Mark Halsall April 20, 2023

Climatic constraints such as a short growing season or too little fall moisture are often given as reasons why cover cropping may not be a great fit for the Canadian Prairies. A recent farmer survey, though, shows many western Canadian producers are making cover crops work, and are benefitting in ways you may not have […] Read more

Marla Riekman says building a soil’s resilience will help it meet challenges during the growing season and improve overall crop growth.

Crops, Features

Strategies to increase your field’s potential

A panel discusses the importance of soil structure, tile drainage benefits and using precision ag and conservation to increase farm profitability

By Jim Timlick February 23, 2023

Farming has existed in one shape or form for more than 10,000 years. While farming methods have evolved considerably over that time, one thing that has remained the same is a desire among producers to get the most possible out of their land. Improving every acre was the focus of a panel discussion at Canola […] Read more

A handful of soil health projects have secured funding for the next five years in the hope of kick starting soil health practices in the field. (Assiniboine Community College photo)

Crops, Weather

Multi-million-dollar fund greenlights soil health projects

Eight projects to push soil health practices will get funding for the next five years

By Alexis Stockford, GFM Network News February 21, 2023

Eight soil health projects across Canada will be getting a multi-million-dollar boost in private funding over the next five years. The Weston Family Foundation — the philanthropic arm of the Weston business empire — has slated $10 million for those eight projects through the organization’s soil health initiative, it was announced Feb. 13. The initiative […] Read more

A picture is better than 1,000 words. Here is a young canola crop neatly placed between the
12-inch-high wheat stubble from the Nerbas farm last year. The wheat stubble will have
caught snow to help provide better germination for the shallow-seeded canola and it
shelters the canola from wind.

Columns, Crops

Les Henry: Fuzzy thinking about soils and agricultural performance

What constitutes sustainable on a farm depends on soil climatic zone and what is feasible for the area

By Les Henry October 26, 2022

There seems to be a constant barrage of media comment about agriculture by folks who have little contact with real farms and little formal training in an agriculture faculty or school. Much of the discourse talks about sustainable agriculture, resiliency, regenerative agriculture and particularly soil health. There is not much detail about what the terms […] Read more

Josh Fankhauser’s intercrop mix of oats, barley, peas and radish. In his
system, intercrops meant for the combine are usually two to three species,
but those intended for forage, such as this one, can include more.

Crops, Features, Practical Tips

Tried-and-true soil strengthening tips

An Alberta producer offers a look at his soil health tactics

By Jeff Melchior October 21, 2022

There’s a lot of talk in ag circles today about soil health. Several farmers are looking beyond current soil practices to what can be done to make their soil sustainable in the long run. This is nothing new to Josh Fankhauser. His family has been using practices to build soil health on their southern Alberta […] Read more

Maintaining and improving soil organic matter is vital to crop production and soil health. I consider the soil micro-organisms much like a feedlot — I have to think about feeding the soil biology.” – Tim Nerbas.

Crops

Sask. farmer’s soil health approach results in ‘soil armour’

Farmer Tim Nerbas protects his soil with a layer of organic material he calls “soil armour.” He says that and other conservation farming practices to improve soil health on his farm may take time — but it’s worth the wait

By Lee Hart August 23, 2022

Northwest Saskatchewan farmer Tim Nerbas knows if he does the best job of managing crop production above ground, it is probably providing the most benefit to all activity going on below ground. He doesn’t test to measure the amount of organic matter in the soil on his 4,000-acre grain, oilseed and pulse crop operation near […] Read more

Crops, Forages, Wheat & Chaff

Economic and ecological benefits of annual forages

Q & A with an expert

By Sola Ajiboye August 16, 2022

Q: What can I do with my unseeded acres now the weather is more favourable? A: Flooding and drought at seeding time are common situations that may lead to acres being unseeded to previously planned high-value crops. While crop insurance can provide varying levels of compensation for acres unseeded to long-season cash crops, sometimes opportunities […] Read more

Crops, Forages

German seed company buys Prairie forage seed firm

DSV to take up full control of Northstar Seed

By Dave Bedard, GFM Network News May 6, 2022

A Prairie company producing and selling forage, turf and grass seed for international and domestic markets is set to be an early foothold for a German seed firm in North America. DSV (Deutsche Saatveredelung) announced last week it has reached a deal in early April to buy up all shares of Northstar Seed, which is […] Read more

I have seen pea crops combined in some years by the end of August or early September. What the smart farmer then does is heavy harrow the pea stubble and bury a few bushels per acre of peas that missed the combine. Under moist soil conditions, these peas will germinate and, in most instances, grow well into the end of October.

Columns, Crops

Let’s get real on cover crops

Let’s call them Prairie catch crops

By Ieuan Evans April 14, 2022

Cover crops have been much heralded as possible wonder fits for Canadian Prairie cropping systems. Sometimes they might fit. It really depends heavily on our most important nutrient of all — water — and the type of following crop you intend to grow. In many years of Prairie crop evaluations, it is no surprise that […] Read more

Alberta crop conditions improve: report

U.S. grains: Corn sets contract lows on expectations for big US crop

U.S. livestock: Cattle strength continues

GFM Network News