phosphorous Archives

A soil scientist collects a sample from a test plot. The zero- to six-inch depth should be sampled separately from deeper samples to accurately determine P fertilizer requirements.

Understanding soil phosphorus, Part 2: Soil testing for plant-available P

Agronomy Management: The proper test for your soil and region can help answer questions your plants’ roots will ask this season

By Ross H. McKenzie March 9, 2025

In my previous Grainews article, I discussed soil phosphorus (P) cycling in soil, effects of crop rotations and fertilizing on soil P, and how crops take up soil P. In this article I’ll discuss soil tests used to estimate plant-available P. Next issue, we’ll discuss how to develop wise phosphate fertilizer recommendations for your farm. […] Read more

Fertilizer in storage at a phosphate plant in North Carolina.

Columns, Crops

Understanding soil phosphorus, part 1

Agronomy Management: Rotations and fertilizer management have dramatic effects on pools of organic and inorganic P

By Ross H. McKenzie February 28, 2025

Farmers and agronomists are very aware that phosphorus (P) is an essential element needed for optimum crop production in Western Canada. Most soils used for annual crops in Western Canada are very low, low or medium in plant-available soil P and are responsive to added P fertilizer. As a result, phosphate fertilizer use is second […] Read more

This field trial at Clayton Harder Farms near Winnipeg, Man., illustrates the impact of starter P on a canola crop. The right side had phosphorus and sulfur fertilizer applied in the seed row at planting and the left side did not.

Crops, Features

How to make P management more sustainable

Phosphorus deficits are a problem on many Prairie farms. A Manitoba crop nutrition expert explains why — and has suggestions for what can help

By Mark Halsall March 26, 2024

Phosphorus has always been an essential nutrient in crop production. Maintaining the right P balance — ensuring there’s enough of it to sufficiently feed crops, but not too much of it so it runs off fields or seeps away to contaminate water bodies — is an ongoing challenge for Prairie farmers. Manitoba crop nutrition expert […] Read more

Crops, Markets

Fertilizer prices ‘float along’ with eyes on China, corn

By GFM Network News December 8, 2016

CNS Canada — It’s shaping up to be a typical winter season for fertilizer prices, according to an industry expert, but he cautions plant expansions in the U.S., corn acreage and the murky world of Chinese exports will all play a part in determining any price spikes in coming months. “We’re probably expecting a typical […] Read more

Crops, Markets

Fertilizer prices look to rise by late summer

By GFM Network News May 10, 2016

CNS Canada — A rise in prices for soybeans and other crops could make fertilizer more expensive in the coming months, according to a major player in the industry. In the May market report from the Mosaic Co., the company credited the rally in agricultural commodity prices, the strengthening of key currencies and various Indian […] Read more

Wayne’s canola plants were purpling and dying. There was uneven and stunted growth throughout the crop.

Crops

Crop Advisor’s Casebook: A canola conundrum confounds

A Crop Advisor’s Solution from the September 2, 2014 issue of Grainews

By Rachelle Farrell September 2, 2015

In early June I received a call from Wayne, a canola grower in Westlock, Alta. He told me a field of his canola was suffering from very poor plant establishment and vigour. The plants were purpling and dying. “Only a few plants have come up,” Wayne said. “The ones that did are stunted and have […] Read more

Crops

“Spending” phosphorus fertilizer from the soil

We’ve greatly increased the spending from our capital accounts of phosphorus 

By Les Henry April 24, 2015

In my previous column, we established that phosphorus fertilization comes down to simple arithmetic: If we haul more phosphorus off to the elevator than we put on in fertilizer or manure, the phosphorus (P) soil test will go down and with it the crop yield potential. If we add more P than we haul away, over […] Read more

phosphate fertilizer spilling out from a hand

Cereals, Crops

New wrinkles to adding phosphorous

If you own the land, adding phosphorus fertilizer will pay off in the long run 

By Les Henry April 1, 2015

On February 8, 2010, my column looked at the economics of large single applications of phosphorus fertilizer. The economics are good, but the practice is still rare. Most graphs showing fertilizer use in Western Canada start in 1960. Before that, fertilizer use was sporadic and included only a few acres with a modest application of […] Read more

Columns

Water quality: Part 2 of a three-part series

There is a lot of talk about water quality issues, but not  all of the commonly-cited information is accurate

By Les Henry February 27, 2015

Note to readers: Before you read this article, I suggest you check back to page 14 of the April 15, 2013 issue of “Grainews.” The headline was “The Truth About Lake Winnipeg.” There will be some overlap with this piece. Water quality There are many aspects to water quality. For irrigation use, salt content is […] Read more

Columns, Crops

Understanding farm water issues

Water: it’s necessary for life. But add the word “drainage” and it can also start fights

By Toban Dyck December 11, 2014

Corn prices. Why am I getting emails with those words in the subject line? Why does Gmail’s spam filter let that slip by? I’ve been telling people for a couple years now that I farm. To border guards and others who’d trust or like me more if I worked with my hands, I am a […] 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