Agricultural soil science Archives - Page 13 of 27

Mixed crop and livestock farming can be good for the soil. Photo: Laura Rance

Conservation and livestock can be a good mix

While intensive livestock production can cause waste and nutrients to pile up,  mixed farms are better able to recycle nutrients

By Shannon VanRaes August 6, 2014

When Ian Grossart harvests alfalfa on his farm in southwestern Manitoba, he knows where most of the nutrients he’s just removed are going to end up — back on his land. “With the cattle we compost all of our own manure, so that becomes a big part of our fertility program,” he said. “And because

Crops, News

VIDEO: The pros and cons of vertical tillage

Conclusion? More research needed to know if it's the right choice for producers

By Allan Dawson August 1, 2014

Wet springs have some farmers thinking about more tillage, including vertical tillage. Marla Rieckman, a Landscape Stewardship Specialist, with Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives (MAFRD) spoke with Manitoba Co-operator reporter Allan Dawson about vertical tillage at the 2014 Crop Diagnostic School at the University of Manitoba’s Carman facility on July 17. Watch a UAV

Four farmers discussed nutrient management during the 4R Nutrient Field Day at Kelburn Farm July 3. Curtis McRae (l to r), Ed Peters, Frank Prince and Jonathan Hodson. photo: allan dawson

Crops, Hogs

Farmer panel discusses 4R nutrient stewardship

There could a fifth ‘R’ in sustainable nutrient management — the right economics

By Allan Dawson July 16, 2014

The 4R Nutrient Stewardship program aimed at promoting nutrient management on Canadian farms is short an R. The four “Rs” are using the right source of fertilizer, applied at the right time, at the right rate and in the right place. The fifth “R” is the right economics. “Economics determine the rate of change,” Virden

Crops

Conservation not a hippie delusion

Small-scale farmers can implement conservation agriculture and improve soil health  in developing areas, often by using a mix of science and local knowledge

By Shannon VanRaes July 16, 2014

The damaging effects of tillage on soils is well documented on Europe and North American soils. So why is that approach still being exported to developing nations, proponents of conservation agriculture asked the recent World Conference on Conservation Agriculture. “We’re taking that paradigm to developing countries, so one has to ask, what is actually going

Opinion

Looking below the surface

By John Morriss July 7, 2014

Some of the world’s top soil scientists and conservation agriculture exponents convened for the sixth World Congress on Conservation Agriculture in Winnipeg last week. The message from speakers was on one hand sobering, if not frightening — massive soil erosion continues around the world, and in both developed and undeveloped countries. The good news is

From upper left: Steve Groff, Jodi DeJong-Hughes, David Montgomery, Amir Kassam.

News

Conservation agriculture gaining ground

But breaking through  tradition is difficult

By Shannon VanRaes July 4, 2014

It’s common to rebel against your parents, except it seems, when deciding how best to farm. “Never underestimate tradition,” Jodi DeJong-Hughes told those gathered in Winnipeg for the sixth World Congress on Conservation Agriculture last week. The Minnesota-based extension educator and tillage specialist said there is one thing she hears more often than not when

Crops, News

New technology, drones and gadgets part of 2014 Crop Diagnostic School

There’s also a one-day Organic Diagnostic Clinic July 18

By Allan Dawson July 3, 2014

New field-scouting tools, including drones, will be part of this year’s Crop Diagnostic School at the University of Manitoba’s Ian N. Morrison Research Farm at Carman. The annual event that provides agronomists and farmers with hands-on, in-field learning, runs July 4 to 11 and July 14 to 17. During the mornings, Crop Diagnostic School participants

Equipment is demonstrated in an alfalfa field near Friedensfeld, during Manitoba’s annual Hay and Silage Day.  Photo: Shannon VanRaes

Beef cattle, Livestock, News

If you don’t test, you don’t know

Economic truths have forced some producers to cut back on nutrients for their forage,  but a little phosphorus can go a long ways

By Shannon VanRaes July 2, 2014

Don’t forget about the phosphorus. Forage producers were reminded of the importance of the much maligned nutrient during the province’s annual Hay and Silage Day at the Friedensfeld Community Centre recently. “The perception out there is that we’re awash in phosphorus,” said John Heard of Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Development. “But the reality is

Crops

Making broadcast seeding work for you

Incorporation is a prerequisite to getting crop insurance coverage, as well as crop  establishment that is equal to or greater than the farmer’s coverage

By Allan Dawson June 5, 2014

If you’re broadcast seeding it’s probably because the soil is too wet to permit conventional planting. But ironically, you’ll need more rain to germinate that broadcasted crop because of poor seed-to-soil contact. “Rainfall is important after because if the seed is on the soil surface you’ll need the rain to get it going,” Lionel Kaskiw,

Livestock

Getting your nitrogen fix from manure a slow and steady process

New research says standard formulas overstate  the amount of nitrogen released

By Manitoba Co-operator Staff June 3, 2014

Standard calculation formulas overestimate the amount of nitrogen that is available to crops the year after solid manure is applied to the field, researchers with the National Centre for Livestock and the Environment (NCLE) say. Don Flaten and Wole Akinremi say the formula that is used in Manitoba is based on the assumption that 25

Daily Network News

‘Significant’ Canadian GDP slide expected in 2026, FCC says

Gene edited, PRRS resistant pig approved in Canada

U.S. livestock: Cattle futures end week higher

Tag Archives Agricultural soil science