Cover crops, employed strategically, can increase soil health, decrease erosion, address weed pressure and provide increased ecosystem diversity, but the first question a grower must answer is "what are you trying to accomplish?" Photo: Matt McIntosh

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.





Scientiest studies soil samples.

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.

Semitone Amosu, researcher at Olds College, delivers a soil health seminar at the school's AgSmart Expo in July 2025.

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.



Senator Rob Black speaks at Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show in September of 2024. Photo: Diana Martin

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.