Acidic soil can plague crop producers with nutrient deficiencies and poor root growth, leading to reduced yields. Lime can be expensive, but may pencil out as the most important fertilizer treatment for those soils.
Tag Archives soil health
It may be time for lime on acid soils
Liming may be an expensive option — but it’s the only proven method to raise soil pH
Soil pH levels can help make seeding decisions
The pH scale is exponential, so small changes in pH mean big shifts in acidity or alkalinity
Small changes in pH reflect significant shifts in acidity or alkalinity due to the exponential nature of the scale.
Peer groups are a pathway to improved soil health
A variety of organizations have developed programs that allow producers to learn more about taking care of their soil
A variety of organizations have developed programs that allow producers to learn more about taking care of their soil.
Soil organic matter and carbon sequestration
Changes in cropping practices over time have significantly improved soil quality
Prairie farmers have done an excellent job shifting to direct seeding, continuous cropping, using much more diverse crop rotations and fertilizing crops adequately, along with various other good agronomy practices. This has very positively improved soil organic matter levels and improved soil health across all the soil zones of the Prairies.
Prairie farmers have mixed views of sustainable agriculture push
Suggesting that producers change their practices when the status quo is working for them can be a reach
If governments, corporations and environmental groups want to achieve change on the landscape, education and incentives are both needed, and preferably farmer-to-farmer education.
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
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.
Saskatchewan grain farmer sees benefits of integrating cattle
Lance Walker finds his cattle now serve in roles previously handled by farm equipment
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.
Liming and soil acidity
A limed acre will maintain a pH increase lasting 10-15 years, maybe more
A limed acre of Prairie soil will maintain a pH increase lasting 10-15 years — maybe more.
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
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
Former Prairie agricultural agency gains historic designation
Parks Canada has designated the former Prairie Farm Rehabilitation Administration an event of national historic significance.
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