Spring and fall are the best times to broadcast nitrogen, but what about winter? Generally speaking, fertilizer should not be applied over deep snow and frozen soil, but if it must happen producers should remember there are economic losses and environmental considerations. Producers may apply fertilizer over snow less than 10 centimetres deep only if […] Read more
Stories by Alberta Agriculture
Inside scoop on fall forage fertilization
With winter fast approaching, forage producers are looking for ways to ensure their perennial forage stands are in good condition and have enough nutrients to ensure optimal production next year. Here are answers to commonly asked questions regarding fall forage fertilization: Are there benefits to fertilizing forage stands in the fall? Fall fertilized stands will […] Read more
Take care when grazing on legume forages
While grazing is a natural activity for cattle, problems can occur when they graze on legumes such as alfalfa, sweet clover, red clover, alsike clover and white clover, which can cause bloat. “While there can be problems with some legumes that have a tendency to cause bloat in cattle, there are also non-bloat legumes such […] Read more
Wilt alfalfa before silaging
The high protein content in ensiled alfalfa is not all usable by ruminant animals. In feeding and research trials, even red clover made into silage has a higher level of protein recovery in animals than alfalfa. “Factors that affect forage protein utilization in alfalfa include the speed of fermentation and rapid lowering of pH,” said […] Read more
Out of sight can’t be out of mind
Grain quality cannot be improved during storage. Grain improperly harvested and dried will remain of low quality no matter how well it is stored. The main objective of proper grain storage is to maintain the quality that existed immediately after harvesting and drying. In cereal grain, a loss in quality and quantity during storage is […] Read more
Watch for West Nile symptoms in horses
West Nile virus is a mosquito-borne virus that can cause swelling and inflammation of the brain and spinal cord in many species, but especially horses, birds and humans. It’s related to the viruses that cause St. Louis encephalitis and Japanese encephalitis in horses. “West Nile virus is spread by specific species of mosquitoes,” said Gerald […] Read more
Late-seeded crops can provide fall grazing
Spring may have started early in April this year, but then the weather in several parts of Alberta turned cold, with several days of killing frost in early May. “The 2005 growing season started out with low soil moisture reserves and this continued until early June,” said Don Wentz, an agronomist with Reduced Tillage Linkages […] Read more
Winter wheat stressed in Alta.
Last fall’s wetter-than-normal conditions may not have been the best for harvesting, but were good for winter wheat seeding and establishment. Most winter wheat fields were seeded in September, allowing for good establishment and over-winter survival. Few winterkill problems were observed this spring. “Producers were very optimistic and looking forward to good yields with winter […] Read more
Take advantage of funding programs to tap student knowledge – Farm Biz Marketing
Learn how to leverage educational institutions and make career placement programs work for you, says Kerry Engel of Alberta Agriculture’s ag-entrepreneurship division. Innovative entrepreneurs have their choice of co-operative work programs, class projects, foreign exchanges and fundraising opportunities. Student brain power can help entrepreneurs with educational programs, event and business planning, construction, communications, design, retailing, […] Read more
Pea production tips
For farmers planning to grow peas this year, an Alberta Agriculture researcher offers suggestions. “In southern Alberta, peas should be seeded in late April or early May to achieve optimum yield and to reduce the effects of a hot, dry summer,” says Ross McKenzie, senior research scientist with Alberta Agriculture in Lethbridge. “Late seeding can […] Read more
