Manitoba Agriculture's Manasah Mkhabela at Arborg, Man. in July 2025, discussing trials he's conducting with University of Manitoba soil scientist Mario Tenuta to find the sweet spot for nitrification inhibitors. Photo: Don Norman

How much nitrogen can farmers really cut?

Manitoba fertilizer trials search for the sweet spot where farmers can cut nitrogen rates, with a nitrification inhibitor, without harm to yield

Manitoba fertilizer trials seek a sweet spot where farmers can cut nitrogen rates, with a nitrification inhibitor, without hurting yield and with fewer greenhouse gas emissions.










soil in farm field

Digging deep for soil phosphorus

Field Notes: P movement is limited in soil, particularly under dry soil conditions

As my PhD work conducted over the past four years reaches its completion, I’ve reflected on my master’s work more in the last few months than I’ve done since completing it nine years ago. In this column, I would like to highlight a few take-home messages from that work. The 4Rs of phosphorus (P) stewardship […] Read more


esn fertilizer

The role of enhanced efficiency fertilizers in nitrogen fertilization 

Crop Nutrition: Maximum crop production cannot be achieved with fertilizers and amendments alone

When trying to enhance crop production with fertilizer, we first need to answer the following questions: What crop yields are possible and what fertility and moisture are required to get there?   Crops exhibit different water use efficiency in every part of the Prairies. Water use efficiency is also weather dependent and when combined with best […] Read more