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For irrigation farmers, two critical terms to understand are allowable depletion and readily available water. Allowable depletion is the amount of water that can be removed from soil without affecting crop yield or inducing crop water stress. The water between field capacity and allowable depletion is referred to as readily available water.
Columns, Crops

How to manage and schedule irrigation, Part 1

Here’s how to prevent water-induced stress on your crops

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Two costly mistakes irrigation farmers can make are not starting to irrigate soon enough in spring and not applying enough water to keep up with crop water demands during the growing season. Good irrigation water management simply involves determining the correct amount of irrigation water to apply at the right times. The goal of irrigation […] Read more
A University of Saskatchewan researcher conducting phosphorus fertilization trials near Central Butte in 2021.
Crops, Features

Phosphorus fertility studies reveal best placement

Proper placement of phosphorus fertilizer is crucial to meet the nutritional needs of plants

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Like most Canadians these days, farmers are looking to get the most bang for their bucks. That’s especially true when it comes to applying phosphorus fertilizers to their fields. Jeff Schoenau, a professor of soil fertility at the University of Saskatchewan (U of S) and chair of soil nutrient management for the Saskatchewan Ministry of […] Read more
For most farmers, the simplest, easiest and cheapest way to measure soil moisture is using the hand-feel method.
Columns, Crops

How to understand and measure soil water

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

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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
What is soil fertility?
Columns, Crops

What is soil fertility?

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

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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

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“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
Tips to interpret soil test results
Crops

Tips to interpret soil test results

Q & A with an expert

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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

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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

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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

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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
Five questions to ask your soil sampler
Crops, Wheat & Chaff

Five questions to ask your soil sampler

Q & A with an expert

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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

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