Mustard has a lot going for it when it comes time to decide what to plant this spring. This is especially true for growers in the southern Prairies. “Mustard is better suited to the dry-land areas of the brown and dark brown soil zones of southern Alberta than is canola,” said Ross McKenzie, senior research […] Read more
Stories by Alberta Agriculture
Drill shank spacing: what’s right for you?
The controversy over the distance between shanks on an air seeder or air drill for seed-row spacing is still with us after 15 years of direct seeding. Eric Oliver’s approach is that row spacing is important only when using narrow openers with low seedbed use, such as a knife or disc. The conservation agronomist with […] Read more
Herbicides, surfactants no longer sold together
Producers will soon see major changes in the way herbicides and surfactants are packaged and sold. Beginning this spring, some herbicides that had previously been packaged with a surfactant will be sold separately as unique products. BASF is the first manufacturer to do this in a large part of its product line, including Odyssey, Poast […] Read more
Twenty tips for winter feeding cattle
In an era of BSE and trade restrictions, predicting cattle prices can be difficult. However, by carefully managing herds, producers can optimize their profit potential. Susan Markus, a beef specialist with Alberta Agriculture, says cattle producers can increase their profits by making a few changes to the way they maintain their herds. Balance rations and […] Read more
Nitrogen: fall vs. spring applied
The best time to broadcast fertilizer depends on environmental conditions and the seasonal growth patterns of plants. Both spring and fall fertilizer applications have advantages. Fall application is most common and tends to have more favourable field conditions and lower costs and can help offset time constraints in the spring. However, spring application has fewer […] Read more
Processing feed grains
When feed grain prices are relatively low, producers often wonder whether the added benefit of processing feed grains outweighs the cost. “The main reason that feed grains are processed is to improve the digestibility of whole grains,” said Juanita Kopp, forage and beef specialist at the Alberta Ag-Info Centre in Stettler. “Without cracking the outer […] Read more
Quick-cooking barley in testing
Developers of a new, quick cooking method for barley hope it will increase demand for barley in human food. Beta-glucan, the soluble fibre component in barley, has been proven to reduce cholesterol and regulate blood glucose levels. Barley also has a low glycemic index, which makes it useful in maintaining blood sugar levels for diabetics. […] Read more
Feed cost comparison: energy versus protein
When deciding on a feed to buy, all of its properties and nutrients need to be taken into consideration to determine its value. It is impossible to set the full worth of a feed based on just one nutritional aspect. “Feeds are often valued on the basis of either their energy or protein content, as […] Read more
Take steps to control rodents
Autumn is the time of year when young animals leave the family unit and begin seeking homes of their own. “During the fall months people often encounter small animals like rodents under unusual and bewildering circumstances and surroundings,” says John Bourne, a vertebrate pest specialist with Alberta Agriculture. “In reality, young or juvenile rodents are […] Read more
Vegetables require special post-harvest care
By the time harvest is complete, horticulture producers have often switched their attention to marketing. However, a lot of time and effort has gone into producing the crop and, without proper care, a percentage of it can be lost due to improper handling. Similarly, if harvest is delayed by slow growing conditions, extra care must […] Read more
