Knowing full-well that the crop can experience seed burn if placed too close to phosphorous (P), many soybean farmers will apply no or very low rates of phosphate with their soybeans. And, as we learned in the last Soybean School, that choice may not be hampering short term yields. But, agricultural soils are seeing losses... Read More
Category: Crop Schools
By now you've watched our video on determining when to desiccate faba beans, and perhaps you're gearing up to go ahead. Now the all-important next question: what to spray? Well, according to Robyne Bowness, pulse research scientist with Alberta Agriculture and Forestry, there are currently only two options for drying-down faba beans: diquat (a desiccant)... Read More
It's been a tough few years for winter wheat in Ontario, not necessarily because of the summer season, but because of the late and wet falls farmers have struggled with for the last two seasons. The fallout from a rough harvest is two-fold when it comes to winter wheat — the crop gets put in... Read More
According to speakers at last week's Canola Galla in Penhold, AB, a single gram of soil (roughly the size of a Smartie) can contain hundreds --- if not thousands or even millions --- of resting clubroot spores. And, those resting spores can survive up to 20 years in the soil, spreading by catching rides on... Read More
While you're in the field checking canola to see if it's ready to be cut, or perhaps already swathing or harvesting it, it's also a good time to assess the toll disease took on your crop. Sclerotinia, blackleg and clubroot can all cause premature ripening, as disease symptoms become more obvious at the end of... Read More
If you're looking out over your faba bean crop and can't help but scratch your head over whether or not it's ready to desiccate, you're not alone. Desiccant timing for all pulse crops is tricky — too early and you risk destroying yield potential; too late and you've lost time, leaving the crop open to... Read More
The 2015 soybean crop has had its share of issues. From a late May frost that had many farmers replanting, to wet conditions that prevented replanting or late planting, and some zero-till beans that really struggled to get through heavy residue, it's no wonder this crop is variable at best. While the window for most... Read More
We're into the thick of the corn growing season, where you finally get to start seeing the real result of all the hard work that's gone into this crop before now. The 2015 season has been a trying one for many Ontario growers as a great planting season gave way to too little, then too... Read More
Phosphorus deficiency is a common problem with corn planted into a rotation following canola. In its early stages, corn relies on mycorrhizae to help with the majority of phosphorus uptake. The trouble with corn following canola is that canola and other crucifer plants are not hosts for micorrhizae, so the beneficial fungi populations must be... Read More
Hot conditions can have an impact on both yield and quality in canola, making timing more important when swathing or straight-cutting the crop. Much of Western Canada has experienced a mid-August heat wave, with fields maturing rapidly in the heat. For canola, this means the time to cut can sneak up quickly. In this Canola... Read More