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Tag Archives soil science

If producers really want to try and get moisture levels down in their soil and decide to till, they need to think carefully about their phosphorus needs, says Dr. Mario Tenuta.
Crops, Features

Tillage is tempting, but treacherous

While tillage can get you in the field faster, it can also disrupt networks in your soil

By
Many farmers across Western Canada have been struggling with wetter than normal conditions over the past few years. This spring many will again be facing soils that are close to the saturation point and puzzling over how to deal with them. Some farmers may turn to tillage to help dry them out, or at the very least to smooth […] Read more
If someone comes knocking on your door to propose a variable rate perscription, be sure you’re ready to ask some hard questions before you sign up.
Columns, Crops

Precision ag may not work on your farm

In the field, precision ag does not yet live up to the hype that has surrounded it

By
If we go into a farm meeting and ask how many are using auto steer almost all hands go up. If you ask how many are using variable rate only a few respond. The uptake has been slow and many techies think that farmers are slow adopters. Guess what folks: if it works farmers are […] Read more
Simplifying phosphorus
Columns, Crops

Simplifying phosphorus

Experts’ opinion on P fertilizer have changed over time, and are still changing now

By
In the early days of fertilizer use on the Canadian Prairies phosphorus was the only game in town- mostly 11-48-0. “If in doubt use 11-48,” was the chant. Much work was done to find the amounts to use for various crops and soils and the best way to put it on. We thought we knew […] Read more
Fertilizing for optimum economic yield requires less fertilizer than fertilizing for maximum yield.
Columns, Crops

Maximum versus optimum economic yield

Agronomy Management: Often, aiming for maximum yield doesn’t give you the maximum bottom line profit

By
Is your farm most profitable when you achieve maximum yield or optimum economic yield? There can be substantial differences in the amount of inputs needed for maximum crop yield compared to the economic optimum yield. Applying a higher level of inputs may give you maximum yield but often won’t provide the greatest profit per acre. […] Read more
McGrath and helpers dig some soil pits along transect lines on native prairie pasture that is part of Round Rock Ranching to establish some baselines through nutrient and biological soil testing.
Cattleman’s Corner, Crops

Are you a (soil) health nut?

Any treatments applied above ground will eventually affect what happens below your feet

By
I was eternally blessed to enter the University of Saskatchewan while Les Henry was still teaching at a time when we were “forced” to take at least an introductory soil science course. I learned a lot in that introductory course; mostly about how much I didn’t know (and how much Dr. Henry did). But more […] Read more
In affected spots in the wheat field, the plants had white heads and dried-up flag leaves. Something was causing the wheat to turn white, but what?
Cereals, Crops

Crop Advisor’s Casebook: Crop trouble follows a pattern

A Crop Advisor's Solution from the April 28, 2015 issue of Grainews

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It was back at harvest time the previous year when I received my first SOS about a particular field problem from Joe, who grows canola, wheat and barley on his farm at Morinville, Alta. The performance of his barley crop just wasn’t up to snuff — yield was way down as a result of numerous […] Read more
Kevin Elmy of Saltcoats, Sask., uses a wide variety of plant species in his cover crop mix.
Columns, Crops

Planning fertilizer for forage crops

Some food for thought on fertilization to establish forage crops in your fields

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Forage crops are sometimes treated as the neglected child. Once it is established, come along with a haybine if there is enough rain to make a crop. If it continues to rain after the bales are off maybe even come in to get a small second cut. Grass hay crops are often left to wither […] Read more
Getting the dirt on 4R nutrient stewardship
Crops, Features

Getting the dirt on 4R nutrient stewardship

Fertilizer Canada’s 4R nutrient stewardship research tour delivers valuable information

By
In the ever-changing world of farming, information is a more valuable commodity than the finest canola crop. Consequently, the recently launched webinar series “Across Canada Tour of 4R Nutrient Stewardship Research” sponsored by Fertilizer Canada is must-see viewing. The tour began last month in Alberta, where co-presenter Dr. Miles Dyck offered an overview of 4R […] Read more
Blooming rapeseed field at sunset
Canola, Crops, Features

Back to the agronomy basics in canola

Experts advise growers to focus on quality seed and nitrogen before less conventional inputs

By
Canola growers have been asking agronomists questions about promoted products. Do they work? And if so, are they worth the additional cost? Two researchers, Murray Hartman, oilseed specialist with Alberta Agriculture and Forestry, and Neil Harker, research scientist, weed ecology and crop management, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, conducted a study to test the inputs that […] Read more
soil
Crops, Features

Expert concerned about low phos levels

Stu Brandt is concerned about low phosphorus levels in Saskatchewan soils

By
Stu Brandt is concerned about Saskatchewan phosphorus levels. Growers have been mining phosphorus since breaking the land, and it’s still happening today, he says. “That’s no longer the most appropriate strategy to be using,” Brandt told delegates at CropSphere in Saskatoon. Brandt is research manager at Northeast Agriculture Research Foundation. Although there’s typically plenty of phosphorus […] Read more

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