Reading Time: 2 minutes An Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development specialist is recommending three tools he says can be a big help with controlling fertilizer costs. “Soil testing is one of three tools you can use to make your fertilizer dollar stretch further,” said Harry Brook, a crop specialist with ARD in Stettler. “The other two tools in the […] Read more
Three online crop tools to stretch your fertilizer dollar
Soil testing is key but there are also two free online tools to better gauge your fertilizer requirements
What’s a fair rent for a pasture? ‘It depends’
Higher cattle prices and a decline in available pastures putting upward pressure on rental rates
Reading Time: 2 minutes Higher cattle prices have some producers and landowners revisiting their pasture leases. “Pasture rental rates can be difficult to figure out because there are many factors to consider such as local availability of land and pasture, localized demand, quality of the pasture, condition of the existing fences and water, and bargaining,” said Dean Dyck, a […] Read more
Forage stands can be terminated in spring — if done right
Herbicide timing is key, and soil moisture and fertility must also be evaluated
Reading Time: 2 minutes Traditionally, forage stands are terminated in the fall so a good seedbed can be established and the sod root system has some time to decompose. However, hay stands can also be terminated in the spring. Producers just need to be aware of a number of factors that can impact success. “Spring termination of hay land […] Read more
Three key questions every entrepreneur should ask about their customers
While there are market tools out there, there's one sure-fire method to get market information
Reading Time: 2 minutes Who are your customers? This simple question is often one of the most challenging for most entrepreneurs, says a new venture specialist with Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development. “Not everyone is a potential customer,” said Christine Anderson. “The more specific you can be in clearly identifying who your ideal or target customer is, and the […] Read more
Livestock research now online at AARD
Reading Time: < 1 minute Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development’s livestock research branch has launched its own website. “Ever wondered if you can feed faba beans to pigs?” asks website co-developer Miranda Smit. “Or camelina meal to poultry? Interested in using synchronization protocols to improve your dairy herd’s reproductive performance?” Those questions are answered on the website. Each research group […] Read more
Dealing with a lack of calcium in pregnant cows
Beef and forage specialist Barry Yaremcio does the math on providing this mineral to pregnant cows
Reading Time: 2 minutes When feeding cereal silage, greenfeed or swath grazing to pregnant cows, there can be a concern with a lack of calcium and magnesium. An added product can often be the solution. “In this situation, an added product should have more calcium than phosphorus,” said Barry Yaremcio, beef and forage specialist, with the Ag-Info Centre in […] Read more
Swede midge trap managers wanted
Alberta Insect Pest Monitoring Network is looking to set up 15 to 17 new sites
Reading Time: < 1 minute The Alberta Insect Pest Monitoring Network is looking for people to manage Swede midge traps in Beaver, Minburn, Wetaskiwin, Two Hills and Smoky Lake counties. Managers need to set up traps in canola fields (trapping kits provided); make weekly trap visits to change the cards (10 to 12 weeks depending on canola); and send the […] Read more
How are biocontrol agents like James Bond?
Beneficial control agents include beneficial bacteria, fungi, nematodes and insects that feed on harmful organisms
Reading Time: 2 minutes As the public grows more concerned about chemical use, many growers struggle with how to keep their product salable while using fewer pesticides. Some growers are turning to a new kind of ‘undercover operative’ to deal with crop pests. “Biological controls or biocontrol agents attack and ‘neutralize’ or reduce pests in a cropping system and […] Read more
Controlling plant pests with biocontrols on your crop
Some biocontrol agents employ very targeted means to deter pests
Reading Time: 2 minutes Competition and antibioses are two of the ways biocontrol agents can help control plant pests. “Producers are familiar with the concept of competition, as in crowding out weeds in a field using row spacing, stand density, etc.,” said Dustin Morton, commercial horticulture specialist, at the Alberta Ag-Info Centre in Stettler. “Biocontrol agents can also be […] Read more
Know the rules before using phosphine fumigants
Products such as Phostoxin, Gastoxin or Weevilcide are highly toxic and there are easier ways to deal with grain beetles
Reading Time: 2 minutes Using fumigants for grain beetle control in stored grain has become more complex, says a provincial crop specialist. “Obtaining the fumigant, whether Phostoxin, Gastoxin or Weevilcide, is only half the job, as requirements for application and record-keeping have changed,” said Harry Brook. “Products containing phosphine are highly toxic and rules have been recently updated to […] Read more
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
