soil health Archives - Page 3 of 12

Adding wood ash to soil both practical and cost-effective

Practical Research: Too often headed for the landfill, ash can reduce soils’ acidity and enhance cropland fertility

By Ieuan Evans March 28, 2025

Here’s a perfectly good organic source of lime, with plant macro- and micronutrients, being taken from the woodlands and virtually thrown away. Wood ash is an excellent source of magnesium, calcium, potassium, phosphate and micronutrients, which can very effectively raise up acid soil pH levels.

Features

Saskatchewan grain farmer sees benefits of integrating cattle

Lance Walker finds his cattle now serve in roles previously handled by farm equipment

By Delaney Seiferling March 27, 2025

Lance Walker and his family decided to integrate cattle to provide a natural cycle of regeneration, and he believes they have been successful in this and have achieved numerous other benefits.

Columns, Crops, Practical Tips

Liming and soil acidity

A limed acre will maintain a pH increase lasting 10-15 years, maybe more

By Ieuan Evans March 14, 2025

A limed acre of Prairie soil will maintain a pH increase lasting 10-15 years — maybe more.

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.

Columns, Crops

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

The PFRA operated on the Prairies from 1935 to 2009 and was instrumental in helping farmers address soil erosion and drought they experienced during the 1930s. Photo: File

News

Former Prairie agricultural agency gains historic designation

By Karen Briere March 7, 2025

Parks Canada has designated the former Prairie Farm Rehabilitation Administration an event of national historic significance.

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

Crops

Soil carbon measurement and verification system launched

CANZA project to give producers quick, cost-effective tool to help measure, manage and monetize soil carbon

By Jonah Grignon February 11, 2025

The Canadian Alliance for Net-Zero Agri-food (CANZA) is launching a measurement verification reporting (MRV) system for reporting soil carbon.

Earthworm channels in soil tend to be enriched in organic matter, microbes and nutrients, which are of significant help in nutrient cycling.

Columns, Crops

One does not simply measure soil health

Agronomy Management: Just analyzing soil samples won’t give you the big picture

By Ross H. McKenzie January 29, 2025

Over the past 40 years, Prairie farmers have made extraordinary strides in improving soil quality. Two major reasons were the shift from using summerfallow to continuous cropping, and the shift from conventional cultivation to no-till or minimum-till farming. Farmer adoption of these improved practices was gradual. Most famers were cautious and wanted to be sure […] Read more

Bryan Prystupa speaking about AgExpert Sustainability at Manitoba AgDays on Wednesday, January 22. PHOTO: Don Norman

Machinery, News

New tool for carbon footprint tracking unveiled at Manitoba AgDays

FCC says the tool is a ‘non-judgemental’ way of getting a snap shot of soil carbon including sequestration

By Don Norman January 24, 2025

Soil carbon is an imporant thing to track, both emissions and sequestration. Bryan Prystupa, of Farm Credit Canada, spoke about a new tool that aims to give farmers insight into carbon on their farms.

Crops, News, Reuters

COMMENT: Fertile land for growing vegetables is at risk — but a scientific discovery could turn the tide

By The Conversation via Reuters Connect January 14, 2025

Research work at Quebec's Laval University's Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences, carried out in partnership with 14 vegetable farms, offers hope for ensuring the sustainability of their soils.

GFM Network News

U.S. livestock: Cattle rebound on technical buying

U.S. grains: Soybeans fall as rapid harvest overshadows China trade hopes

Good weather pushes Alberta harvest along

Tag Archives soil health

Adding wood ash to soil both practical and cost-effective

Saskatchewan grain farmer sees benefits of integrating cattle

Liming and soil acidity

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

Former Prairie agricultural agency gains historic designation

Understanding soil phosphorus, part 1

Soil carbon measurement and verification system launched

One does not simply measure soil health

New tool for carbon footprint tracking unveiled at Manitoba AgDays

COMMENT: Fertile land for growing vegetables is at risk — but a scientific discovery could turn the tide

AgCanadaTV

AGCanadaTV: In case you missed it; your national ag news recap for Sept. 5, 2025

Cyber-Savvy Farmer

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