Taking representative soil samples, choosing the right depths, and analyzing key nutrients can improve fertilizer planning and crop performance on western Canadian farms.
Tag Archives soil sampling
Soil sampling for Prairie farmers: How to test for nutrients and avoid common mistakes
Agronomy Management: Take representative soil samples, choose the right depths, analyze key nutrients
Hand-held device detects nutrient deficiencies in leaf tissue
The Nutriscan device won Manitoba Ag Days’ Innovation Award earlier this year
ATP Nutrition’s Nutriscan uses a near-infrared sensor to measure a range of macro- and micronutrients in plant tissue and delivers the results to an app on a user’s smartphone.
Soil sampling time is here again
Five factors to consider to ensure success this fall
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
The benefits of zone soil sampling after a dry season
Maximize the efficiency of your fall fertilizer applications
Prairie farmers have learned to temper their yield expectations after a dry growing season, especially in a year like this when many areas started with little to no soil moisture reserves. Reduced crop growth is a clear symptom of drought but what isn’t so obvious is what’s happening — or rather, what’s not happening — […] Read more
Seven steps to accurate soil testing
Many Prairie farmers spend $250,000 or more on fertilizer each year. Are you getting your moneys worth? Applying fertilizer nutrient that is not needed is a waste of money. If you don’t apply a needed fertilizer, you’ll see a loss in yield and revenue. Soil testing can provide an excellent picture of the nutrient levels […] Read more
Grid soil sampling best for prediction
Cavalier Agrow agronomist says grid soil sampling trumps satellite imagery
Farmers who want to move into precision farming should focus less on satellite imagery and more on what’s happening under the soil’s surface, according to an agronomist. Bennie Dunhin is the agronomy manager at Cavalier Agrow, an ag retailer based in north-western Saskatchewan. Dunhin, who originally hails from South Africa, holds an MSc. in plant […] Read more
Higher corn yields through fertility
Fertility recommendations vary from farm to farm, but may be lower for zero-till fields
Prairie farmers are used to being flexible, always on the lookout for new recommendations for fertility applications — and when it comes to growing corn, they have to be. Corn is an expensive crop with high nutritional requirements. And every farmer’s land requires something slightly different. Morgan Cott, field agronomist for Manitoba Corn Growers Association, […] Read more
Add soil sampling to the fall “to do” list
Testing soil in the fall gives you time over the winter to plan your spring nutrient needs
As if there wasn’t already enough on the fall “to do NOW” list, experts advise adding soil sampling to the fall work load, if it’s not already part of the farm management plan. “The reality of the situation is if you don’t know what you have to start with, you won’t know how much or […] Read more
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
