soil health Archives - Page 6 of 12

Marla Riekman says building a soil’s resilience will help it meet challenges during the growing season and improve overall crop growth.

Strategies to increase your field’s potential

A panel discusses the importance of soil structure, tile drainage benefits and using precision ag and conservation to increase farm profitability

By Jim Timlick February 23, 2023

Farming has existed in one shape or form for more than 10,000 years. While farming methods have evolved considerably over that time, one thing that has remained the same is a desire among producers to get the most possible out of their land. Improving every acre was the focus of a panel discussion at Canola […] Read more

A handful of soil health projects have secured funding for the next five years in the hope of kick starting soil health practices in the field. (Assiniboine Community College photo)

Crops, Weather

Multi-million-dollar fund greenlights soil health projects

Eight projects to push soil health practices will get funding for the next five years

By Alexis Stockford, GFM Network News February 21, 2023

Eight soil health projects across Canada will be getting a multi-million-dollar boost in private funding over the next five years. The Weston Family Foundation — the philanthropic arm of the Weston business empire — has slated $10 million for those eight projects through the organization’s soil health initiative, it was announced Feb. 13. The initiative […] Read more

Wind erosion can have devastating consequences on soil health, as seen in this photo.

Crops, Features

How to build healthier soil

Farmers discuss what works for them at Alberta Pulse Growers seminar

By Jim Timlick February 13, 2023

Ask a dozen people for a definition of soil health and odds are you will get 12 different answers in response. John Kolk is managing partner of Kolk Farms Conrich, located near Picture Butte, Alta., and is chair of the Alberta Biodiversity Monitoring Institute. He was also one of the speakers on a soil health […] Read more

In drier Prairie regions, there is less benefit to using enhanced efficiency fertilizers such as ESN or Super-U.

Columns, Crops

Nitrogen fertilizer management to reduce nitrous oxide emissions, Part 2

Adopt 4R practices appropriate for your farm’s crops, soils, landscapes and agro-ecological areas

By Ross H. McKenzie January 11, 2023

In the last issue of Grainews (see ‘Nitrogen fertilizer management to reduce nitrous oxide emissions, Part 1’), I discussed the government of Canada’s target to reduce levels of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from fertilizer application 30 per cent below 2020 levels by 2030. As stated in that feature, it is my opinion many western Canadian […] Read more

General, Weather

Feds open up consultations for sustainable ag strategy

Producer groups to have reps on advisory committee

By Dave Bedard, GFM Network News December 20, 2022

The federal government has enlisted farm groups on the ground floor of consultations toward development of a long-term strategy to “amplify” the adoption and use of sustainable practices in agriculture over the next year. Agriculture Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau on Dec. 12 announced the launch of public consultations on strategy development, running from now through March […] Read more

Crops, Equipment, Wheat & Chaff

When wheels cause soil damage

Q & A with an expert

By Lyle Cowell November 1, 2022

Q: Can we fix compaction? A: As equipment becomes bigger and total loaded weight becomes heavier, our soils are often subjected to compaction. When equipment was lighter, this compaction tended not to extend very deep into the soil, and the effect was often resolved by frost cycles that fractured and turned the surface soil. Now, […] Read more

A picture is better than 1,000 words. Here is a young canola crop neatly placed between the
12-inch-high wheat stubble from the Nerbas farm last year. The wheat stubble will have
caught snow to help provide better germination for the shallow-seeded canola and it
shelters the canola from wind.

Columns, Crops

Les Henry: Fuzzy thinking about soils and agricultural performance

What constitutes sustainable on a farm depends on soil climatic zone and what is feasible for the area

By Les Henry October 26, 2022

There seems to be a constant barrage of media comment about agriculture by folks who have little contact with real farms and little formal training in an agriculture faculty or school. Much of the discourse talks about sustainable agriculture, resiliency, regenerative agriculture and particularly soil health. There is not much detail about what the terms […] Read more

Columns, Practical Tips

Soil sampling time is here again

Five factors to consider to ensure success this fall

By Ross H. McKenzie October 24, 2022

It’s soil sampling season again. There’s lots of good information on soil sampling procedures provided by various reputable sources, such as the provincial agriculture departments, crop commissions and fertilizer dealers. I won’t do a detailed review on sampling procedures in this article. Instead, I will comment on a few key issues for consideration to ensure […] Read more

Josh Fankhauser’s intercrop mix of oats, barley, peas and radish. In his
system, intercrops meant for the combine are usually two to three species,
but those intended for forage, such as this one, can include more.

Crops, Features, Practical Tips

Tried-and-true soil strengthening tips

An Alberta producer offers a look at his soil health tactics

By Jeff Melchior October 21, 2022

There’s a lot of talk in ag circles today about soil health. Several farmers are looking beyond current soil practices to what can be done to make their soil sustainable in the long run. This is nothing new to Josh Fankhauser. His family has been using practices to build soil health on their southern Alberta […] Read more

Crops, Features

New biologicals on the market

A roundup of inoculants, biostimulants, pre-plant soil biofumigants and more coming your way

By Treena Hein October 7, 2022

[UPDATED: Oct. 26, 2022] Several new biological products are on the market or shortly will be. New inoculants, nitrogen-fixing bacteria, biostimulants and pre-plant soil biofumigants, among others, are a few products headed your way. Companies offering new biologicals are claiming these products increase root mass development and structure, enhance root and plant growth, improve plant […] Read more

GFM Network News

Good weather pushes Alberta harvest along

Arlene Dickinson says recent trip to Asia opened her eyes to new trade opportunities

Association of Equipment Manufacturers sets up lobby in Ottawa

Tag Archives soil health