Reading Time: 6 minutes In the business world, there’s a term to describe an event that completely changes an existing industry or market. It’s called a disruptor, and it changes how we think, work, and do business. It can be argued that agriculture has gone through three major disruptions in the last century: the mechanization of farming; the arrival […] Read more
The next big disruption in agriculture
Sometimes a shock to the system can be a very good thing
Going beyond NPK in your fertilizer program
New tests get closer to helping producers build soil health
Reading Time: 5 minutes What’s involved in a soil health assessment? And what makes soil “healthy” in the first place? Researchers at the Chinook Applied Research Association (CARA) in Oyen, Alta., are keen to answer these questions for western Canadian producers. The association is launching a new lab in the CARA facilities that will collect and analyze soil samples […] Read more
Manitoba storm may cause more than travel delays
Reading Time: 2 minutes CNS Canada –– Road closures across most of western Manitoba due to a late-winter storm are likely only the start of the headaches to come, as flooding and/or late seeding may be a reality in many areas this spring. Meteorologist Drew Lerner of World Weather Inc. in Kansas City said he was optimistic on moisture […] Read more
Sulphur: Neglect it at your cost
Sulphur levels are falling in our soils due to reduced air pollution. It’s time to start monitoring yours
Reading Time: 7 minutes For years, something that has been a scourge to the rest of society has been a serendipitous benefit to growers across much of Eastern Canada. But with industry and governments combining their efforts to “clear the air,” farmers are faced with a situation that’s slowly becoming an issue: sulphur deficiency in soils. It’s not that […] Read more
Eight things to look for in your soil test report
When you understand your soil reports, you’re in a better position to develop fertilizer plans with your agronomist. All soil testing labs report the same basic information, but each lab has its own unique format. No matter what your report looks like, first, check the information at the top: your name, address, field name, etc.[...]
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Spreading the good news
The list of companies with soil amendment products continues to grow — as does recognition of their value
Reading Time: 9 minutes For 10 years, the bumper stickers said “Farmers Feed Cities.” Today, by contrast, cities may expand their role in feeding farms. For those who are backing the trend, the drive to make the use of soil amendments standard and commonplace is reaching a tipping point. The numbers more than suggest there’s tremendous opportunity to use[...]
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Soil health sensor project largest in North America
Reading Time: 3 minutes A new $2-million soil health research project aims to figure out the impact of different cropping systems on the environment. Research will also be conducted on crop productivity relating to soil health. The result should be new knowledge on productivity of traditional cropping systems versus those with cover crops. The project, at the new Soil[...]
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What’s the deal with soil compaction?
Other countries are tackling compaction head on. Here, there’s hardly a whisper
Reading Time: 7 minutes Compaction has somehow become one of those topics that gets scooped up off the back-burner from time to time. It gets discussed and sometimes it even gets preached about, and then it fades away again until next time. It isn’t a new topic. Nor is it particularly controversial. Everyone agrees that compaction causes damage to[...]
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Six limiting factors in your soil that will make or break your operation
Without these six key ingredients, your soil — and your farm — could be in trouble
Farms and grazing operations — organic or otherwise — are only as good as their worst resource, according to Oregon-based grazier Abe Collins. “Soil is our primary infrastructure on the farm,” said Collins, who spoke at the recent Organic Alberta conference. “Biologically, chemically, and physically, you need to be looking at the limiting factors in[...]
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A healthier soil test
Is it time to start investing in the Solvita soil test for your farm?
Reading Time: 6 minutes It’s a curious trend. “Soil health” is one of the great buzz phrases of modern agriculture. Admittedly, it’s just words to some, yet for a dedicated and growing number of producers, it’s a primary goal. Yet if you ask the average farmer if they test their soil once every three years, as recommended, the answer[...]
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A message from April Stewart, Country Guide's Associate Editor
