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Tag Archives cover crops

Weed control in a dry summer
Crops, Features

Weed control in a dry summer

Dry summer weather could mean a whole new slate of weed control challenges

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When it comes to weed control, no two seasons are the same. This year, many forecasters are predicting a hot, dry summer. What challenges will this bring? For one thing, some weeds that thrive better under hot, dry conditions, says weed expert, Robert Blackshaw with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada in Lethbridge, Alberta. “Some weeds that […] 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

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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
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

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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
Farmers check out pea plots during the Western Applied Research Corporation’s annual field day at Scott, Sask. Weed control is a perennial problem for pea producers.
Crops, Pulses

Managing Group-2 resistant weeds in pulse crops across Western Canada

Cleavers, mustard, kochia and sow thistle are among the weeds getting harder 
to control, but there are methods, starting with good agronomy

By
Group 2 resistance is something that is really a big problem across Western Canada,” says Dr. Chris Willenborg, a researcher at the University of Saskatchewan’s plant sciences department. Willenborg has worked on several research projects that inform weed resistance in pulses. The bad news is that resistance is spreading. And the more farmers rely solely […] 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

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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
Manitoba farmers have a look at a cover crop at Dan Shwaluk's farm near Shoal Lake.
Cattleman’s Corner, Livestock

Cover crop increases feed and profits

Producing more pasture as well as a winter feed supply

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One of the biggest questions Manitoba cattle producer Dan Shwaluk had about cover crops was, “where’s the money in it?” After two years of planting cover crops on his farm he’s seen exactly where the money is — in his pocket. He’s getting more than 10 tonnes of silage feed per acre off his cover […] Read more
tractor working a field
Crops, Features

Cover cropping basics

There are lots of reasons to plant cover crops. 
Here’s some practical information to get yours started

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With the decline of grain prices and the rising profit in livestock markets, there are more questions on using cover crops in both grain and livestock operations. What species to use? What seeding rates? Fertilizer requirements? When to seed? How to manage? How to terminate? Is there anything to “harvest”? 1. Setting a goal The first […] Read more
Crops, Features

Cover crop buffet feeds microbes

Peace farmer Bill Gaugler is adding a cover crop to his farm’s 
rotation, in hopes of increasing yields with less fertilizer

By
Bill Gaugler hopes including a multi-species plant cover crop year in his rotation will improve soil health on his Alberta Peace River region farm. That could lead to several benefits — Gaugler hopes it could help improve his overall crop yields, or allow him to maintain yields with less or even no fertilizer. It isn’t […] Read more
Turnips used as a cover crop.
Crops, Features

Cover crops increase profitability

Panelists shared cover crop success stories at the Commodity Classic conference in San Antonio

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Cover crops not only improve soil health and bump yields, but also increase profitability, a U.S. farmer told farm show delegates in San Antonio. Jamie Scott was part of a panel at the 2014 Commodity Classic this past February. Scott uses cover crops on his Indiana farm and coordinates the seeding of cover crops on another 100,000 […] Read more

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