Reading Time: 4 minutes Think water is your biggest limiting factor when growing a crop? Think again. “Soil aggregation is the most important constraint that we have,” said Yamily Zavala, crop and soil health management specialist at Chinook Applied Research Association. “In order for a soil to function properly, we have to have all the soil processes — physical, […] Read more
When it comes to healthy soil, you want to lump it
Soil aggregation is critical — in several different ways — to growing healthy crops
Now’s the time to plan for next year’s lentil crop
Rocky fields and poorly drained ones are a poor choice, and high nitrogen levels will just encourage vegetative growth
Reading Time: 2 minutes In preparation for growing lentils in 2017, field selection, fall weed control, and residue management should be top of mind this fall, says a provincial crop specialist. While land rollers, flex headers, higher-podding varieties, and improved lodging resistance have allowed producers to grow lentils on less-than-ideal fields, it continues to be important to select fields […] Read more
Controlling winter weeds now will pay off later
It’s cheaper to control winter weeds in the fall, and they won’t compete with your spring crop
Reading Time: 2 minutes You’ve been busting your butt during harvest and you’ve scouted your field many times during the growing season. But if you’re direct seeding, it’s worth scouting just one more time for winter weeds after you harvest. “It depends on what kind of production system a producer has,” said Mark Cutts, crop specialist with Alberta Agriculture’s […] Read more
Working with producers top priority for irrigation research chair
Willemijn Appels wants to focus on research projects ‘that will really benefit local producers'
Reading Time: 2 minutes Calling all Alberta irrigators — Lethbridge College’s new irrigation science chair wants to know about your experiences and challenges with agricultural water management. In March, Willemijn Appels took up her new posting, which was created with a $3.1-million gift from the estate of Lloyd and Dorothy Mueller two years ago. “My job over the last […] Read more
Irrigation not forgotten in Bow River flood mitigation agreement
Keeping water levels lower behind the Ghost Dam provides capacity for capturing flood waters, but can mean less water is available later on
Reading Time: 2 minutes While irrigation districts are thankful that drought was considered in a recent flood mitigation agreement between the province and TransAlta, there is concern that more might be needed in order to ensure adequate water is available during dry spells. The five-year agreement will see TransAlta paid $5.5 million annually for keeping water levels at the […] Read more
Cocktail cover crops: This ain’t your grandad’s grazing system
Innovative producers, especially younger ones, are looking to cover crop cocktail mixes to build soil health and get more production per acre
Reading Time: 4 minutes Nearly 150 people — some from as far away as Manitoba — converged on a farm near Hardisty recently to learn more about cover crop cocktail mixes. But tour organizer Graeme Finn noticed something a little different about the crowd at the event in late August — it was mainly young farmers. “Young people can’t […] Read more
Pair of organic field days on offer
Reading Time: < 1 minute Organic Alberta and the Prairie Organic Grain Initiative will be hosting two field days on organic grain and field crop production. On July 11, there will be a tour of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s Lethbridge Research Station and Leffer’s Organic Farm. Federal researchers will talk about weed biocontrol, integrated pest management, soil health, and nutrient management. […] Read more
Finding the right fertilizer balance
Reading Time: < 1 minute Here is a three-part way to help control fertilizer costs. “Soil testing is one of three tools you can use to make your fertilizer dollar stretch further,” said provincial crop specialist Harry Brook. “The other two tools in the box are the Nutrient Use Calculator and the AFFIRM fertilizer program, both available free from AF.” […] Read more
Irrigation technology centre has a wide range of research
Whether it’s research on potatoes, sugar beets, infrared sensors or nozzles, the goal is to get more crop per drop
Reading Time: 4 minutes Just outside of Lethbridge, where ideal location, expertise and cutting-edge technology meet, we find the Alberta Irrigation Technology Centre (AITC). The centre was established in 2000 as a partnership between Alberta’s irrigation industry and the provincial and federal Agriculture Departments. “The main focus of the centre is to support improved water conservation, efficiency, and productivity […] Read more
Economic study shows irrigation pays big dividends
Irrigation adds about $3.6 billion to the provincial economy each year and has the potential to do even more
Reading Time: 2 minutes In these tough economic times, irrigation is a good news story. Irrigation in Alberta is attracting businesses, creating jobs, generating revenue for governments, and bolstering the economy. How do we know this? The Alberta Irrigation Projects Association commissioned a study to look at exactly that. While people in the irrigation industry understand the benefits and […] Read more
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