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Tag Archives Agricultural soil science

An example of rill erosion which occurs when run-off water forms small channels while running down bare soil.
Crops

More emphasis should be placed on soil health, MCDA speaker says

Cover crops, reduced tillage, crop and livestock diversity can all help reduce watershed challenges

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We’ve all had those moments when we realize what we do most of the time matters more than what we attempt once in a while. One of those light bulbs snapped on for Ryan Canart while sitting at a soil health conference in Alberta awhile back. The district manager for the Upper Assiniboine River Conservation
A multi-species cover crop can mimic how soil was initially created, with a collection of root exudates from each individual species.
Crops

Cover cropping improves land and bank balance

Ontario farmer Blake Vince has harnessed the power of cover crops on his operation

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Despite not having cattle on his operation, Blake Vince says he is still a livestock farmer. “Where my livestock are is below my feet and sadly we forget that. The soil is alive, it is a collection of living organisms,” Vince, a Canadian Nuffield Scholar and fifth-generation Ontario farmer, said during a presentation at the
Blake Vince, fifth-generation Ontario farmer, offers up a homegrown suggestion on how to test the microbial activity in your soil.
Crops

What does your underwear say about your soils?

The underwear test can be a visual indicator of the activity 
that is taking place in your soil

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A lot, providing you bury it in a field, according to Ontario farmer Blake Vince, a cover crop and soil health advocate and Nuffield Scholar. Doing so will help you understand what’s happening beneath your feet, he says. “We understand things we can see,” Vince said at the recent Canadian Forage and Grasslands conference in
Jane Wanjiko standing in her maize field.
Crops, International news

African smallholders are adopting conservation agriculture techniques

When you’re subsisting on three-quarters of an acre, increasing 
maize production from 32 kg a year to 990 kg is a life-changing event

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This summer Stefan Epp-Koop travelled to Kenya as part of a Canadian Foodgrains Bank learning tour, focused on the importance of agriculture in achieving numerous development goals: reducing hunger, increasing incomes, empowering women, adapting to a changing climate, and improving nutrition. Throughout the trip he visited farmers, government officials and researchers, exploring solutions that were
Manitoba Agriculture soil fertility specialist John Heard, soil sampling the old-fashioned way, says sampling cereals fields right after combining provides some advantages.
Crops

Soil test right after the combine

The tradition has been to sample for soil nutrients later in the fall, but there are compelling reasons to go sooner than later

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It’s been the accepted wisdom to soil test as late as possible in the fall, but one soil test lab says it might pay to go earlier. Agvise Laboratories, that has soil-testing labs in North Dakota and Minnesota and a large stable of Canadian customers, told growers in a recent email it may be a
Editorial, Opinion

Editorial: Peace and prosperity

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Maybe it’s time for agriculture to climb down from its wartime footing. For decades now it’s been a battle as farmers fight nature, red in tooth and claw, to prevent crop damages and loss. It’s hardly surprising when you consider the historical context out of which our modern Green Revolution agriculture sprang. It took off
Gordon McPhee, Dauphin
. 1935 –
Local news

Agricultural Hall of Fame: Gordon McPhee

Four Manitobans were inducted into the Manitoba Agricultural Hall of Fame at a ceremony in Portage la Prairie July 14. Over the next few weeks, we’re featuring each one with their citations

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For most of his career, Gordon McPhee has played a major role in preserving one of our most precious resources, the soil and working with the agricultural industry towards sustainable development. Together with his wife Mary, Gordon has always been able to look at what was happening on farms and then be quick to acknowledge
Patrick Walther speaks to a group of farmers during the Manitoba Pulse and Soybean Growers annual SMART day in Carman.
Crops, Local news

There’s an economic case for strip till

The technique can save time and organic matter when it comes to soybean production

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While strip till has long been shown to have ecological benefits, a recent field day at the Ian N. Morrison Research Farm suggests there are also economic ones for producers to consider. “We have basically made a case study where we compare one pass, versus two passes,” said Patrick Walther, speaking to a group of
University of Manitoba soil scientist Mario Tenuta speaking about nitrogen uptake during a 4R nutrient management tour at Kelburn Farm July 2, 2014.
Crops, Local news

Take a 4R nutrient management farm demonstration tour

Learn more about using the right source of fertilizer and applying it 
at the right time, at the right rate and in the right place

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Farmers can learn about getting more bang for their fertilizer buck while protecting the environment at 4R nutrient management farm demonstration tours near MacGregor, Manitou and Morris July 6, 7 and 8, respectively. “The focus will be on wheat and soybeans,” Amanda Giamber­ardinon, Fertilizer Canada’s manager of 4R Nutrient Stewardship, said in an interview June
Soil scientist Frank Larney showcases his work at a field day, which is an open house for farmers and agriculture industry representatives to learn about the latest field research.
Crops, Pulses

Pulses plus conservation practices equal healthy soils

Combining pulse crops and soil-friendly farming practices looks like a real winner

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Pulse crops are playing an important role in building soil quality, especially when they’re combined with a host of soil-friendly farming techniques. That’s the finding of a 12-year study by researchers at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s Lethbridge Research Centre, led by soil scientist Frank Larney. In the study, published in Agronomy Journal, Larney and company

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