soil Archives - Page 5 of 27

For most farmers, the simplest, easiest and cheapest way to measure soil moisture is using the hand-feel method.

How to understand and measure soil water

It’s important to estimate stored soil moisture at planting to adjust crop inputs

By Ross H. McKenzie April 5, 2023

Water is often the most crucial factor in controlling crop yields. The amount of water used by crops can be affected by several factors including the availability of stored soil water, amount of precipitation during the growing season, crop rooting depth and various environmental aspects such as day length, amount of solar radiation, humidity, temperature […] Read more

Columns, Crops

What is soil fertility?

There are no miracles in crop production, just sound scientific facts

By Ieuan Evans February 27, 2023

Soil fertility for field crops is a very simple affair but extremely difficult to easily explain. Think logically. There are no miracle fertilizers, only plain and simple chemical nutrients whether from an organic source or from a concentrate of nutrients we call chemical or synthetic fertilizer. There is no such thing as a synthetic fertilizer. […] Read more

Along with native grass pastures, the Baergs are trying different combinations of seeded grass and legume species to  provide both annual and perennial forage stands.

Cattleman’s Corner

Crop diversity intended to beef up the soil

Proper rotation is part of developing sustainable farming operation

By Alberta Beef Producers, Canadian Cattle Association February 22, 2023

“If you take care of the grass, it will take care of you.” These are the words of wisdom Alberta cattle producer Jerry Baerg received from one of his mentors, and which he has followed as he and his family set about building a sustainable beef operation near Linden in south-central Alberta. Over the past […] Read more

Crops

Tips to interpret soil test results

Q & A with an expert

By Lyle Cowell February 22, 2023

Q: What factors should I consider when using soil test results for fertilizer recommendations? A: Using the three-legged stool analogy, the three legs of a good soil test are a good collection of the sample, the choice of an appropriate lab and the final interpretation of results. There is risk to variance and error in […] Read more

Good soils or loamy soils are ones that contain equal parts of sand, silt and clay. Unfortunately, this ideal mix is not that common on the Prairies.

Columns, Crops

What is soil?

Let’s explore the properties of your cropland’s soil

By Ieuan Evans February 15, 2023

In everyday conversation involving agriculture, we hear about poor soils, clay soils, good soils, ruined soils, eroded soils, degraded soils, sandy soils, silty soils and so on. These names or descriptions are, for the most part, meaningless and very subjective. Soil is, in reality, a storehouse of water, mineral compounds of multiple complexities and plant-essential […] 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

Western Canada’s Brown soil zone stretches north from the Canada-U.S. border through south-central Alberta and southwestern Saskatchewan.

Canola, Crops, Features

More canola in the Brown soil zone?

While it may not be an ideal fit for this oilseed crop, farms in the area known as Palliser’s Triangle could see a big boost in canola acreage. Here’s why

By Jim Timlick February 8, 2023

Palliser’s Triangle is considered one of the most arid sections of the Canadian Prairies and led the man for whom it is named to once remark the area wasn’t fit for man nor beast due to its sandy soil and unpredictable rainfall. Although that may have been true when Capt. John Palliser mapped the area […] Read more

Crops, Wheat & Chaff

Five questions to ask your soil sampler

Q & A with an expert

By Stacie Yaremko January 10, 2023

Q: What should I ask my custom soil sampler?A. If you missed out on fall soil sampling, you might be looking at hiring a soil sampler this spring. Soil sampling may be offered by retailers, independent agronomists or dedicated soil sampling companies. The process seems straightforward — go to the field, collect soil in a […] 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

GFM Network News

U.S. livestock: Cattle, hog futures rise on first WASDE since September

U.S. export sales include only small soybean business to China

U.S. corn and soybean yields revised down by USDA

Tag Archives soil