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Laura Bennett is a junior assistant manager at Lobethal, a 13,000-acre farm.
Crops, Features

Non-wetting soils down under

The same type of soil that’s beautiful on the beach can be tough to farm

By
During my recent trip to the southern coast of Western Australia I learned about something I didn’t even know existed: non-wetting soils. The coastline in this part of Australia is exquisitely beautiful with white powder sandy beaches and turquoise blue water. This beautiful white sand is also what makes this area so challenging to farm. […] Read more
Sustainable agriculture is both a philosophy and a system of farming.
Crops, Features

Redefining agricultural production

Organic, regenerative, sustainable. What do all of these new terms mean?

By
Agricultural production used to be basically divided into two camps; conventional and organic. The two production styles have clear delineations and are pretty much exclusive of each other. Today the lines between these systems are being blurred as farmers are beginning to embrace sustainable and regenerative agricultural practices. All of these different terms can be […] Read more
Facts can be stranger than fiction
Columns, Crops

Facts can be stranger than fiction

These mineral and nutritional facts about plants and animals are strange, but true

By
If you need some very interesting reading this winter consider buying a book called, Around the World in 80 Trees by Jonathan Drori. It’s fascinating. Drori describes trees from all around the world, including Canada. For example, rubber got its name from the original latex that the British used to cut into chunks to rub […] Read more
Les Henry: Prairie soil moisture map for 2020
Columns, Crops

Les Henry: Prairie soil moisture map for 2020

Soil moisture at freeze-up in 2019: a range of moisture across the Prairies

By
The 2019 crop year was a challenge for all involved in our industry. The erratic rainfall patterns also challenged the preparation of this soil moisture map. Let me first acknowledge the assistance of staff from Crop Intelligence by South Country Equipment. They have now had several years of experience installing weather stations accompanied by the […] Read more
Closeup of a plowed field, fertile, black soil.
Crops, Features

The five principles of soil health

USDA researcher says healthy soil needs a systems approach

By
At the Regenerative Agriculture Forum in Brandon in November, Jay Fuhrer, soil health specialist with the Natural Resource Conservation Service of the USDA, spoke about soil health. Fuhrer has identified five principles of soil health, and how they work to improve soil health and increase productivity. Fuhrer defined soil health is defined as “the continued […] Read more
How biostimulants work to enhance plant growth
Wheat & Chaff

How biostimulants work to enhance plant growth

Q & A with Nutrien Ag Solutions

By
Q: What are biostimulants? A: As an agronomist, I’m often asked about new products. One area that has really emerged in the last decade is biostimulants. These are not fertilizers or pesticides, but a wide array of biological products that enhance plant growth. Biostimulants are substances or micro-organisms whose function, when applied to plants or […] Read more
An acre of such soil may have up to 1,000 lbs. of earthworms, 2,500 lbs. of fungi, 1,500 lbs. of bacteria and up to 1,000 lbs. of protozoa and insects — most fully active in June and July.
Columns, Crops

Understanding soil organic matter

Do you know your crop residues from your soil organic matter?

By
The word “organic,” just like “environmental” has become confusing over the last 20 or 30 years. Organic food for example? All the food we eat is organic (except salt or other minerals). All farming activities are environmental, but every misinformed urbanite calls him or herself an environmentalist. “Soil organic matter” is made up of a […] Read more
What was once a thin patch of grass rebounded nicely after pastured
poultry added nutrients to the soil.
Cattleman’s Corner, Features

Natural ways to improve soil quality

Cover crops may be more practical than molasses and milk

By
For many years there has been growing public concern that food is declining in nutrition. Dr. Arden Anderson, a favourite researcher, has studied the correlation between soil health and feed nutrition. His research has shown that the nutrient content of foods today compared to half a century ago ranges from 15 to 75 per cent […] Read more
There’s a new phos in town
Crops, News

There’s a new phos in town

TIMAC Agro is bringing a new type of phosphorus to Western Canada

By
When TIMAC Agro International’s Top Phos product was listed as a finalist in Ag in Motion’s Innovation Program, in the plant and soil science category, many western Canadian farmers were not familiar with the company. TIMAC Agro may be new to Canada, but it’s not a new company. “We are in 131 countries,” said TIMAC […] Read more
Spring runoff typically offers a great kick of moisture to get things started, but if things turn dry, where do you turn?
Columns, Crops

Les Henry: Water information in Western Canada is flowing nicely

Look to these sources for information on where to find water
 during dry spells

By
The past few years, growing-season rain on many Canadian Prairie farms has been much less than needed for a good crop. From 2005 to 2014 high snowfall plus much above-average rainfall provided more than enough moisture for crop growth. The excess rain and snow filled the soil and raised the water table by as much […] Read more

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AgCanadaTV: In case you missed it; your national ag news recap for Feb. 13, 2026

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