The Senate Committee on Agriculture and Forestry has released its report on the importance of soil health. "Critical Ground: Why Soil is Essential to Canada’s Economic, Environmental, Human, and Social Health" combines information from over 150 witnesses, 60 written briefs, and supporting documents from soil science researchers, agronomists, farmers, ranchers, foresters, environmental organizations, agri-businesses, industry... Read More
Category: Soil
It seems that everywhere you go right now, farmers are talking about cover crops. Producers across the country are not only using a diverse plant mix to provide feed for livestock, but also as potential solutions to compaction, a lack of nutrient availability, and to address weed issues in their fields. In this Farming Forward... Read More
Researchers have been collecting soil health data across the Prairies for almost a century. In that time we have learned a lot about agricultural best management practices (BMPs), the environment, and the ground beneath our feet. In all of this research we have, and continue to, accumulate an abundance of data, the majority of it... Read More
The topic of soil compaction often arises when talking about the heaviest of farm machinery — four-wheel drive tractors, grain carts/buggies, and manure spreaders — but sprayers should also be at the forefront when it comes to trying to minimize compaction. After all, with some sprayer tanks now exceeding 2,000 gallons and booms extending upwards... Read More
Soil tests are one tool for determining fertilizer needs of a particular field, but several other factors impact the overall productivity of any soil zone, regardless of nutrient level. Factors such as physical make up of the soil, salinity, internal drainage, field position, and organic matter levels, all play a role in determining the high-yield... Read More
Last year at the World Agri-Tech Innovation Summit, investors and inventors were all a-buzz about biologicals. This year, the spending mood at the conference was more subdued overall, with the focus shifted away from biological products and on to measuring carbon emissions. Jay Whetter, editor of Canola Digest and unofficial San Fransisco tour guide, attended... Read More
Cover crops can be a non-starter in dry areas of the Prairies — or are they? A lack of moisture is definitely a concern when working to establish cover crops; however, over the long term, farmers Derek and Tannis Axten of Axten Farms at Minton, Sask., are finding covers build soil water holding capacity. That's... Read More
When it comes to improving fertilizer application and utilization, growers are encouraged to focus on the 4Rs — the right source, right rate, right time, and right place. Former Manitoba Ag soil fertility specialist John Heard won't argue with that strategy but he would also like farmers to think about the '4Ls' — lift-off, leftover,... Read More
For years, even decades, one crop's boost in productivity because of following a different crop was put down as the "rotation effect." As we begin to unravel what the rotation effect actually is, it's clear that rooting depth and type, root exudates, and microbial population shifts all play a role in contributing to the bigger... Read More
Pop quiz: does water vapour insulate, and do cover crops cost yield? The answers: yes, and sometimes. To dive into to how cover crops might cost in yield potential but still save fuel, Peter "Wheat Pete" Johnson kicks off another episode of the Wheat Pete's Word podcast. Also on the episode: how a milder winter... Read More