A soil pH outside the neutral range can cause significant issue with nutrient availability. Western Canadian soils are largely in this range, however, over time, nitrogen fertilizer applications can create soil acidity issues that are very expensive to fix. Dr. Manbir Rakkar, assistant research professor at Montana State University-Bozeman, explains that managing acidic soil conditions... Read More
Category: Crops
More than five years in the making, the Canadian Canola Growers Association (CCGA) is happily looking to the future of the biofuel industry after the federal government published the new Clean Fuel Regulation (CFR),replacing the Clean Fuel Standard. Steve Pratte, senior manager of transportation and biofuel policy with the CCGA, shares why the organization is... Read More
Watching the commodity markets was exciting for many producers, until it wasn't. The decline of prices that we've seen over the past week has been a blow to the optimism for this year's crop; however, it may be more palatable if there was some overarching reason as to why the sell-off. But any clear reason... Read More
Wheat harvest is underway in Ontario and many cash crop farmers are wondering whether they should plant those acres to soybeans and take advantage of double cropping. Double crop soybeans are always an opportunity for many growers, says AGRIS Co-operative agronomist Dale Cowan, but it's important to understand the risks. In 2021, he notes that... Read More
What an odd summer this has been already! Too wet in some areas, far too dry in others, a mean flip from one to the other, and too much wind. The markets have done some wild swings, too, and the host of Wheat Pete's Word has decided to move to England! Well, OK, he's visiting... Read More
The list of technology continues to evolve, and Outback Guidance is continuing that trend. The new MaveriX Precision AG solution provides guidance, steering, and application control. The MaveriX application software includes a new user interface that provides a tablet-like user experience with improved 3D graphics, with adjustable widgets, says Darren Pritchard of Outback Guidance. The... Read More
Timing crop protecting sprays is an important decision to make to ensure the health and quality of the crop. While sometimes weather conditions don't allow farmers to be as precise in timing as they'd like to be, there are some variables that should be taken into consideration when weighing the options of getting back out... Read More
How do we increase our diversity with the same amount of land? One consideration is relay or intercropping. Although they are often used in the same discussions, it's important to remember they are two different things. Leading us through tonight's episode of The Agronomists is host Lyndsey Smith, and guests Greg Vermeersch of VanMeer Farms,... Read More
Andy Kieraszewicz never thought the sandy soils on the former tobacco land he farms at Rodney, Ont., could ever average more than 200 bushels of corn per acre. But a fervent commitment to rebuilding organic matter in the drought-prone areas across the 1,000-acre operation has the farmer now consistently producing eye-popping yields he didn't think... Read More
Up to one million in funding is now available for maintenance on natural and constructed agricultural drainage projects. Previously, the Water Security Agency (WSA) only provided funding for natural watercourses. "Obstructions in natural and constructed watercourses can cause flooding and erosion problems and be a significant cost burden to producers and local governments," says Jeremy... Read More