soil in farm field

Digging deep for soil phosphorus

Field Notes: P movement is limited in soil, particularly under dry soil conditions

As my PhD work conducted over the past four years reaches its completion, I’ve reflected on my master’s work more in the last few months than I’ve done since completing it nine years ago. In this column, I would like to highlight a few take-home messages from that work. The 4Rs of phosphorus (P) stewardship […] Read more

farmer piloting drone in canada

Evaluating new tech, products and practices

There is always something new around the corner, so how do crop consultants filter out the noise and arrive at a reliable recommendation for their clients?

With new products, new production practices and new technology converging in the agriculture industry at a frenetic pace, independent agronomists and crop advisors try to sort the wheat from the proverbial chaff as they advise clients on what might or might not work on an individual farm. Not only has the pace of introducing new […] Read more


Blackleg pseudothecia on stem

Steps to stop blackleg in canola

Agronomists and canola growers have many proven steps to manage blackleg disease in canola. Genetic resistance has been an extremely effective tool, and will remain so — as long as that resistance matches the blackleg races in a field

Blackleg disease, caused by the pathogen Leptosphaeria maculans, is common in canola across the Prairies. It can cause very high yield loss in cultivars susceptible to the predominant blackleg races in a field. The two best defences are: Seed treatment and early-season fungicides can also help, especially if the first two are compromised. This article will […] Read more

Ron Tone started his own independent agronomy business in 1996 following a 17-year farming career in southern Manitoba.

Having those tough conversations

A veteran agronomist, speaking at the recent Manitoba Agronomists Conference, offers advice on how to handle difficult discussions with clients

There is perhaps no bigger challenge for an agronomist than having a tough but frank conversation with a farmer client. You won’t get any argument on that count from Ron Tone. He founded Tone Ag Consulting in 1996, following a 17-year career as a farmer. His independent agricultural consulting firm specializes in damage claims, crop […] Read more


alberta farmland and wind turbines

Soil health benchmarking survey in Alberta

Researchers at the Chinook Applied Research Association’s Soil Health Lab have adapted a soil health assessment from Cornell University to evaluate Alberta soils

Every farmer wants “healthy soil.” But what does that mean, and how do they know if they have it? “The first question I ask when I’m speaking to farmers is, ‘How many of you have done soil testing?’” says Yamily Zavala, PhD, soil health lab manager and soil health and crop management specialist at the […] Read more

smash that delete button

What are you doing with my information?

Agronomy and the Law: Are you prepared to answer that question from a farming client?

With the increasing development and usage of precision agriculture and technological advances in the agriculture industry, farmers are experiencing huge increases in productivity, efficiency and profitability. These innovations include the industry’s development of software applications to manage farm data, sensors on implements, drones, precision machinery and GPS technology, to name a few. With this rise […] Read more


esn fertilizer

The role of enhanced efficiency fertilizers in nitrogen fertilization 

Crop Nutrition: Maximum crop production cannot be achieved with fertilizers and amendments alone

When trying to enhance crop production with fertilizer, we first need to answer the following questions: What crop yields are possible and what fertility and moisture are required to get there?   Crops exhibit different water use efficiency in every part of the Prairies. Water use efficiency is also weather dependent and when combined with best […] Read more

Stony soil surface of an eroded knoll.

Ground Level: Mapping and managing eroded knolls

How do we identify an eroded knoll? Eroded knolls lose soil organic matter due to years of tillage, wind and water erosion, which results in surface soil lacking good granular structure and thin to non-existent topsoil. When erosion occurs, it has different physical, chemical and biological characteristics. Some physical characteristics of an eroded soil can […] Read more


Bill Wileman on his ford 6000 tractor

An innovative flop: Remembering the Ford 6000 tractor

How the cutting-edge tractor and its failure-prone transmission became a marketing nightmare for the brand

The tractors were available with either a 223-cubic inch gasoline or a 242-cubic inch diesel engine — but a groundbreaking innovation for its time, the Select-O-Speed powershift transmission behind those engines, turned out to be the tractors’ early downfall.

AGCanadaTV: In case you missed it; your national ag news recap for April 25, 2025
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AGCanadaTV: In case you missed it; your national ag news recap for April 25, 2025

Canadian farmers share concerns about tariffs, trade and the federal government ahead of the election; the Canadian Federation of Independent Business says the federal government’s support of the electric vehicle sector is hurting agricultural businesses; and an Australian study considers a future without Roundup. It’s your national agriculture news recap for April 25, 2025.