Reading Time: 4 minutes It’s been proven to increase grain yield, seed protein content and nitrogen use efficiency by up to 19, 30 and 60 per cent respectively, and researchers are still finding more uses for it. It’s called humalite, an organic soil amendment found exclusively in large deposits near Sheerness, about 25 kilometres from Hanna. It’s shaping up […] Read more
Humalite a made-in-Alberta success story
Research backs claims of increased yield when used with fertilizer
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.
4R nutrient stewardship key to climate change fight
Reading Time: < 1 minute Politicians need to recognize proper fertilizer use can cut greenhouse gases and should make 4R Nutrient Stewardship part of their climate change strategy, says Fertilizer Canada. The 4R program encourages using the right type of fertilizer at the right rate in the right place at the right time. It “not only increases economic performance for […] Read more
It’s not business as usual when it comes to fertilizing this year
Unharvested crops mean there’s more nutrients in the soil and if you have to broadcast, there’s a chance to top up the nutrient bank
Reading Time: 3 minutes Nutrient management is a challenge even in average years — but a million unharvested acres mean this year will be far from average. Step one is determining available nutrients. In a cereal crop, the vast majority of the nitrogen, phosphorus and sulphur and about one-fifth of the potassium taken in by the plant are contained […] Read more
Manitoba pulls less-loved ag tax credits in budget
More funding for agriculture innovation in Manitoba’s latest provincial budget will be offset in part by an immediate end for several of the less popular tax credits available for farm use. Provincial Finance Minister Cameron Friesen on Tuesday laid out a 2017-18 budget with an overall $840 million deficit, based on a four per cent […] Read more
How to build a soil-health bank account
This organic production technique offers a big-picture view of nutrient management — and a ‘tough love’ approach to soil fertility
Reading Time: 3 minutes Soil is a little like a bank account for nutrients — in order to manage them properly, you need to balance the budget. “No matter how big the bank account is, if you only take stuff out, eventually it runs out,” said University of Manitoba research technician Joanne Thiessen Martens. “We need to look at […] 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
Federal funding available to help cut farm greenhouse gases
Reading Time: < 1 minute A federal program backing research into farm-level technologies and practices that limit farms’ greenhouse gas emissions has been extended for another five-year run. Ottawa will put $27 million into the next phase of the Agricultural Greenhouse Gases Program, which gave out $21 million in funding to 18 projects in the first five-year phase. Among those […] Read more
One size doesn’t fit all when it comes to organic crop rotations
Three organic producers share their top tips for building a sustainable crop rotation — no matter what kind of operation you have
Reading Time: 4 minutes Organic crop rotations are “a real ball of wax to deal with,” says veteran organic grower Steven Snider. “There’s so many options out there. I think people would like for me to just tell them what to put in, and that would be nice and simple,” said Snider, who runs an organic grain operation near […] Read more
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