Manure may not be biggest culprit for nutrient runoff

Manure may not be biggest culprit for nutrient runoff

Soil and vegetation may play larger role in excess nutrient runoff, new study suggests

Findings suggested that manure was, at most, a secondary source of nitrogen and phosphorus in those watersheds. They also found that nutrient levels ascribed to manure were relatively constant during the simulation period between 2005 and 2019, despite variation in precipitation.

(Dave Bedard photo)

FCC announces new 4R incentive

The program is open to FCC customers who use AgExpert platform

FCC announced the new Sustainability Incentive Program at the Western Canadian Crop Production Show in Saskatoon. The program is open to FCC customers who put a 4R nutrient management plan in place, record production activities through AgExpert Field, and have their 4R practices verified by a 4R designated agronomist.


The province's new calculator is now available in an Excel format, with a web-based, "mobile-friendly" version to be made available "in the coming months," Ag Minister Derek Johnson said Jan. 17.

Fertilizer efficiency calculator launched

The virtual tool promises a farm-specific deep dive into actual fertilizer efficiency

Manitoba Agriculture says its new fertilizer efficiency tool will help farmers hone in on exactly how much of the nutrient they’re applying is doing its job, and how much is wastage. The department launched the digital tool on Jan. 17 during Manitoba Ag Days. “Our government recognizes producers face historically high fertilizer prices, highly variable

Province funds nutrient budgeting app, biocarbon project

The province pledged $1.5 million through its Conservation and Climate fund

An app that calculates available soil nutrients and a research project that turns human waste into biocarbon are among 14 projects funded through the Conservation and Climate Fund, the province announced Sept. 22. “These environmentally responsible initiatives will help protect the environment while advancing the Manitoba government’s priority to transition the province to a sustainable, low-carbon

Manitoba farmers, particularly the hog industry, are often blamed for water quality issues on Lake Winnipeg, but the truth is the problem is complex and multi-jurisdictional.

The problem with phosphorus

Lake Winnipeg is suffering from phosphorus overload, but agriculture is just one contributor

Lake Winnipeg has a phosphorus problem. That’s not a controversial statement. But what can spark plenty of arguments is just what’s causing the problem. One of the handiest targets has long been local agriculture in general, and the province’s hog sector in particular. The hog sector and provincial government both claim the sector faces some


A provincial oilseeds specialist is recommending canola growers adjust their seeding rate based on seed size and fertilizer placement.

Canola producers put on watch against seed burn

Some cereal fields in Manitoba are seeing seed burn, and Manitoba Agriculture is warning farmers to guard against the same problem for canola

The weather isn’t the only thing that’s hot. Manitoba Agriculture is warning canola producers to avoid banding fertilizer too close to the seed row as continuing dry conditions raise the risk of seed burn. “Adjust your seeding rate based on your seed size and your fertilizer placement strategy,” provincial oilseeds specialist Dane Froese advised during

Agriculture major player in ‘Made-in-Manitoba Climate and Green Plan’

Agriculture major player in ‘Made-in-Manitoba Climate and Green Plan’

Increasing the biodiesel mandate could cut up to 431,000 tonnes of carbon by 2022, second only to reductions expected from the $25-a-tonne carbon tax

Agriculture’s role in reducing carbon emissions and protecting the environment looms large in the provincial government’s, Made-in-Manitoba Climate and Green Plan. The word “agriculture” appears 34 times in the 60-page document. “Manitoba’s farmers are at the front lines of climate change and need to be at the forefront of solutions,” the plan says. “The Manitoba

Members of Hog Watch Manitoba hold a press conference in Winnipeg.

Hog production faces opposing ideologies

Hog Watch holds events opposing legislative changes, Manitoba Pork responds

Manitoba’s pork industry found itself treading on hostile ground at the University of Winnipeg on Sept. 21. Manitoba Pork Council chairman George Matheson stood up at a Hog Watch Manitoba event last week to refute some of the claims made by the activist group, including assertions that hog production is inhumane and poorly regulated. “Gestation


Tour attendees kneel to get a better look at the mix during the Aug. 4 tour focusing on green manure at Carnegie Farms north of Brandon.

The making of a green manure mix

Grain-only operation one of several tours organized by the Manitoba Organic Alliance

For organic grain farmers without livestock such as Carnegie Farms north of Brandon, green manure has become a mainstay for nutrient management. Visitors to the fully organic operation’s field day Aug. 4 took in two green manure mixes, ranging from peas, beans, oats and buckwheat to a field with all of the above, plus kale,

Adding more nitrogen in crop, instead of in the fall or spring before planting, is one way to use nitrogen more efficiently. The 4R tour visited Tyler Russell’s cornfield near Carman where about 60 pounds of nitrogen was applied at the V4 stage. Depending on the crop, more will be applied just before tasselling.

VIDEO: On the 4R Nutrient Management Tour

Manitoba Agriculture’s John Heard, applicator operator Rod Owen and Adam McKnight of Bud McKnight Seeds discussed in-crop nitrogen application in Carman, Man. farmer Tyler Russell’s cornfield June 28 during the 4R nutrient stewardship tour.