Researchers with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada in Saskatoon are studying the microbes that live near the roots of canola plants to see if the answers to developing drought tolerance can be found in the soil.
Tag Archives drytimes
Tiny allies may help canola push through drought
Federal researchers examine soil microbes to see if they can help a crop withstand dry times
Feeding dry fields
Prairie farmers find more than one way to optimize fertilizer efficiency, whether in dry growing seasons or in any growing season
Farmers and crop consultants in Western Canada have slightly different approaches to manage weather-related fertilizer application risks. With variable moisture, do you apply the full amount at seeding and hope for rain — or find another way? Most producers contacted by Grainews opt for some version of split fertilizer application when facing dry growing conditions […] Read more
Do your homework on alternative feeds
What looks to be another dry year will mean added emphasis on byproduct feeds
Alternative or non-conventional feeds, such as grain screenings, cull potatoes or distillers’ grains, can be an economical means for beef cattle producers to supplement forage and grain inventories while continuing to meet animal nutritional requirements. However, due to variability in supply, nutrient composition and quality of these feed ingredients, there can be pitfalls if not […] Read more
Drought preparedness through soil and crop management
After each dry year, adapt your drought plan based on your experiences and what you learned
As spring approaches, the agricultural community is becoming increasingly concerned about potential forecasts of drought across the southern Prairies. And rightly so; the print and electronic media have posted numerous drought-related articles. Wide areas of southern Alberta and southwestern Saskatchewan and their dryland farms, irrigated farms and ranching areas could be affected. But what helpful […] Read more
Conditions ripe for winter cereal wreck
Snow cover decline, temperature flux, pooling, freezing all potential problems
Glacier FarmMedia — Minimal snow cover, frigid temperatures in mid-January and above-average temperatures after that may have set the stage for winterkill in winter crops. The risk is high enough to cause concern among crop specialists. “The eastern Prairies are in a little bit better shape than (Saskatchewan and Alberta) but there’s huge swaths that […] Read more
It pays to adjust seeding rate based on moisture
Keep wheat plant count in line with moisture expectations — and limit the amount of tillering
Research done across Saskatchewan recommends that the best way to optimize wheat yields is to adjust your wheat seeding rate to reflect moisture conditions, says a report from the Western Applied Research Corporation (WARC). The research concluded if you’re heading into what looks like a drier growing season, a mid- to lower wheat seeding rate […] Read more
Curb risk from moisture stress for less
A Manitoba agronomist offers up some tips for farmers on a budget
With swings between wet and dry extremes in recent years, Prairie farmers have seen more water stress problems in their fields. Not only do they make crops less productive, but they can also crank up the stress levels for farmers. “Historically, our two main risks in crop production long term have been excess moisture and […] Read more
Research looks into drought’s lingering effects on grasslands
A global project will provide valuable insights as droughts increase, an Alberta scientist says
Glacier FarmMedia — A global study is examining the surprising ways short-term droughts can affect grasslands. “It’s not surprising that less water is going to lead to less plant growth. We’re all very familiar with that,” said Cameron Carlyle, associate professor of rangeland ecology in the Faculty of Agricultural, Life and Environmental Sciences at the […] Read more
Precipitation cycles: When will the dry cycle end?
There's no way to predict from here what the 2024 growing season will provide
Many farmers in the Brown and Dark Brown soil zones of the Palliser Triangle have spent a few years now looking at the sky and hoping for rain. In some areas the snowmelt went straight to soil moisture and was a big factor in providing something for the trucker to do. But multiple years with […] Read more
AgriRecovery feed, freight, breeding herd aid set for Alberta, Saskatchewan, B.C.
Feds, provinces announce combined $365 million in aid programs
The federal and Alberta, Saskatchewan and British Columbia governments are jointly putting up $365 million to support ranchers and farmers up against this summer’s drought and wildfire damage. The feds on Friday announced their 60 per cent, or $219 million, share of AgriRecovery program funding for the three westernmost provinces. “I’ve had the opportunity to […] Read more
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