From a distance, a nitrogen deficient canola plant and a sulphur deficient plant can actually look rather similar. It's only once you get up close and compare it to plants from other areas of the field, that you can better assess what's hampering growth of the crop. In this episode of the Canola School, Dan... Read More
Category: Soil
Farm machinery continues to increase in size to match an ever-evolving industry, and bigger equipment puts pressure on your wallet, the ground and tires. Are tire manufacturers reacting to concerns over compaction? Have tires been changing? What do they have to offer? Read more: Does the freeze/thaw cycle break up compaction? In this video, RealAgriculture's... Read More
Editor's note: This is the second part of a series called Gaining Ground. Written by Rob Wallbridge, Gaining Ground is focused on cultural management practices applicable for any production system, with a heavy emphasis on soil management. See the first article in the series here. What if I told you there were monsters on your... Read More
A basic crop budget will tally up fixed and variable costs to compare to average or projected crop prices, yes, but how do you account for some non-cash pros and cons of growing a particular crop? These benefits can range from soil management, to ease of seeding, to herbicide resistance management and more. Each of... Read More
Editor's note: Gaining Ground is a series of feature articles written about cultural management practices common to all production systems. With a heavy focus on soil management and productivity, Rob Wallbridge, a Quebec farmer and blogger, will tackle a new topic in each article, from the use of cover crops, to integrated weed management and... Read More
Nitrogen and phosphorus get all the glory when it comes to the macronutrients. But there are two others in the NPKS mix, you know. The third most important nutrient, potassium, often gets thrown by the wayside and only seems to come up when there is a market discussion on Potash Corp or Russia’s Uralkali. There... Read More
As crop prices fall and margins tighten, every farmer is looking for an edge — whether a bump in production or more efficient use of inputs. The increased pressure to scratch out a profit takes extra time and effort on planning and management. Deciding on where to focus that extra time and effort is the... Read More
If you've got a GPS-equipped yield monitor in your combine, I have good news. You're already well on your way to developing a practical precision farming plan for your farm. Well of course I am, you say. But, if we're all being very honest here, what do you actually do with that yield map beyond... Read More
Yes, compaction happens. You know that, I know that. But we in Canada are ever so fortunate because while compaction does happen, Mother Nature, at her cruelest -30 degree C self, actually helps us battle it with our wicked Prairie freeze-thaw cycle. Right? Well, yes, but a more resounding no, actually. Marla Riekman, land management... Read More
Every conference season, presentation after presentation reminds farmers of the cost of too-short crop rotations. Increased disease pressure, insect infestations and nutrient depletion of soil all weigh on yields in tight rotations. Agronomic decisions like these commonly play in to the decision on what to seed next on each field, but 2014 is shaping up... Read More