soil Archives - Page 26 of 27

Rethinking the natural water cycle

The natural systems we rely on and think of as simple are actually very complicated

By Dilia Narduzzi November 9, 2015

Groundbreaking water research out of the University of Saskatchewan has just been published in the international science journal Nature. Researchers Jaivime Evaristo and Dr. Jeffrey McDonnell of from the U. of S. and Scott Jasechko of the University of Calgary have taken a new look at the hydrological cycle, something that’s been pretty well established […] Read more

Columns, Crops

The broad basics of your soil’s pH

Soil pH is complex, and has different impacts on the availability of different nutrients

By Ross H. McKenzie November 3, 2015

Farmers frequently ask “What does soil pH really mean?” and “What effect does pH have on availability of nutrients in the soil?” Both are excellent questions! The effects of pH are complex and vary with different nutrients. However, some broad generalizations are useful to keep in mind when understanding soil pH and making nutrient management […] Read more

FarmLife

Tree stumps? Saltpetre? Skin toner? Read on for all the info

The Singing Gardener offers his tips and those from Grainews readers

By Ted Meseyton October 16, 2015

In this instalment of the Singing Gardener — I, Ted, have some ideas for dealing with tree stumps. Also, a handwritten note re: naming of horses and a letter re: Italian heirloom tomato, both from Laura Hughes of Edmonton. Recently, I made a batch of facial skin toner and think it’s a pretty darn good formula […] Read more

One acre of land, six inches deep, weighs about 2,000,000 pounds.

Columns, Crops

Soil sampling and soil testing

Fall is generally the most convenient time for soil testing. Plan now for effective testing

By Ross H. McKenzie October 6, 2015

In the last issue of Grainews Les Henry wrote a great article on soil testing. I couldn’t agree more that soil sampling and testing is a great tool to assess the soil nutrient levels in your fields so you can wisely plan your fertilizer program for next spring. Here are some of my thoughts on […] Read more

Crops, Machinery

Controlling your farm traffic

It’s still a new concept here, but many farmers in Australia and Europe are embracing CTF

By Emily Padfield September 21, 2015

A recent conference held on the subject of controlled traffic farming, or CTF as it’s more commonly known, has shown that the uptake in North America and Canada is somewhat behind that of northern Europe and Australia. Held in Prague and organised by CTF Europe, the conference attracted more than 130 participants, including farmers, managers, […] Read more

Machinery manufacturer and farmer Michael Horsch has adopted controlled traffic farming on the land he farms with his brother.

Crops, Machinery

Machinery manufacturer adopts CTF

By Emily Padfield September 21, 2015

More than 130 farmers, consultants and industry professionals visited Horsch’s 3,200 hectares Agrovation farm in the Czech Republic, as part of the second International CTF Conference, organized by CTF Europe and supported by Horsch, Trimble and Claas. Machinery manufacturer and farmer Michael Horsch has been an advocate of controlled traffic farming (CTF) for several years and so […] Read more

This photo and the one further down are of the canola on my “breaking” land — recently broken land (this is only the second time its been under a seed drill). The pictures were taken on July 27, 2015. In fall 2014 the soil test N in this field was only 20 lbs./acre to one foot but the zero to six inch level organic matter was 6.5 per cent. The “normal” areas in this field got 94 lbs. N/acre as anhydrous. This area got only the 20 lbs. N/acre as broadcast 21-0-0-24. Obviously, mineralization is providing much of the N. My zone fertilization plan involves telling the custom applicator to leave out the breaking and salty ground. It works!

Canola, Columns

Soil: Test the right pound of ground

If you don’t measure what you have, you can’t know what to add. Know the basics of taking soil tests

By Les Henry September 17, 2015

First, some general tips around soil testing. The first thing to note about soil testing is that it is an index — it is not like a dipstick in a crankcase. A soil test (index) rates a soil as very low to excessive and is one piece of information to guide fertilizer use. But, use […] Read more

Cereals, Crops

Applying your nitrogen in the fall

Agronomy Management: Fall application can be more convenient, but effectiveness varies, depending on conditions

By Ross H. McKenzie September 10, 2015

Applying nitrogen fertilizer at the time of planting in spring is usually the best option for most Prairie farmers. But that means applying a lot of product, which can really slow down the seeding process. Getting the seed in the ground at the optimum time is important, and delays can reduce crop yield potential. Some […] Read more

Euan Evans, plant pathologist points out the value of providing a crop the whole nutrient package to optimize yields.

Crops

Soil testing more relevant than ever

If you don’t know what nutrients are in the soil it’s hard to meet your crop’s needs

By Lee Hart September 3, 2015

To optimize crop yields, Ieuan Evans, a well-known western Canadian plant pathologist, urges farmers to get back to the basics — do a soil test and follow the recommendations. Evans, speaking to farmers at the Ag In Motion farm show near Saskatoon in July says farmers have been advised since the beginning of modern agriculture […] Read more

Crops

Why nodulation fails

When nodules don’t form, yield will suffer.  These recommendations could stop fixation failures

By Melanie Epp March 26, 2015

Nodulation failure can be disastrous to crop yields. In some cases, yield may be salvaged. In other cases, it will be too late. Two experts offer recommendations to avoid nitrogen fixation failures. Pre-farm failure Nitrogen fixation failures can occur at three points, says Garry Hnatowich, research director at the Irrigation Crop Diversification Corporation at Outlook, […] Read more

Daily Network News

Southern California honeybees show resistance to varroa mites

Pulse Weekly: SaskPulse optimistic despite input, crop price concerns

Canadian aquaculture should be classed as agriculture, industry groups say

Tag Archives soil