Bill S-230, the National Strategy for Soil Health Act, would develop a national strategy for soil health protection, conservation and enhancement based on recommendations from Black’s 2024 Senate soil health report: “Critical Ground”. It is expected to pass its third reading in the Senate on March 26.
Federal government commits to national soil strategy as Black’s soil protection bill passes Senate
How soil fertility management can boost pasture yield by 43 per cent
Soil testing and the right fertility program can make a measurable difference in pasture output, agronomist says
Reading Time: 3 minutes Learn how soil testing and targeted fertilization can increase pasture biomass by 43%. Expert tips on N, P, and K management for beef cattle producers.
Ukraine’s farms once fed billions but now its soil is starving
Ukraine’s soil may no longer be able to sustain the country’s role as one of the major food producers without urgent action. And this could have consequences that stretch far beyond its borders.
The fickleness of nitrogen
Daniel Quinn, professor of corn production at Purdue, on getting the most out of nitrogen in corn.
Reading Time: 2 minutes Nitrogen is one of the most challenging nutrients to manage in corn production, in part because of how it responds to environmental conditions.
RDAR continues to become more relevant and useful to producers five years after its inception
Over two million acres in Alberta are in RDAR’s On-Farm Climate Action Fund projects
Reading Time: 5 minutes RDAR has already amassed a strong resume five years after its inception.
Alberta crop insurer says carbon levels can lower costs
Alberta Financial Services Corporation exploring role of soil organic carbon in premiums
Reading Time: 5 minutes AFSC says soil carbon levels could change how much a farmer pays for crop insurance.
What is going on deep below the surface?
Even 60 centimetres below, microbial communities can affect how organic matter breaks down
Reading Time: 4 minutes Researchers are diving deep into the soil - more than 60 cm. below the surface - to find out how microbial communities shape how carbon and nitrogen cycle through our soils.
Taking a holistic approach to soil health
Olds College researcher developing soil health scorecard
Reading Time: 2 minutes Semitone Amosu, a researcher at Olds College, is developing a soil health scorecard for producers to use when analyzing the health of their most important asset.
Soil health skepticism prevalent
Survey finds that many farmers see it as a contemporary fad
Reading Time: 3 minutes A survey of 300 Western Canadian farmers found that a large number of producers believe the soil health movement is just a fad.
Black tables soil health protection bill in Senate
Legislation would recognize soil as a strategic national asset
Senator Rob Black sponsored Bill S-230, An Act Respecting the Development of a National Strategy for Soil Health Protection, Conservation and Enhancement. If passed, it would mandate the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, and other relevant ministers, to develop a national soil health strategy.