NISKU, Alta. – Prairie producers would do better to compare their soil characteristics to those found in Russia, Siberia or Mongolia than those found in the U.S. northern plains. Yet many agronomic recommendations come from American Great Plains states, which often don’t work in Canadian conditions, said Rigas Karamanos, manager of agronomy for Westco. “We […] Read more
Production — page 103
Prairie soils unique and productive
Zero-till system changes fertility requirements
NISKU, Alta. – The availability of some crop-accessible soil nutrients improves the longer a field is in zero till, said Rigas Karamanos, agronomy manager for Westco. He said a farmer who is aware of these improvements can use them for economic benefit. Ignoring those changes is to waste input dollars. The most important of these […] Read more
Delivery van ferries water to sprayer
Pasqua, Sask. – Until the spring of 2004, Rob Rigetti had used a three-ton truck to haul water to his sprayer. For the past two years, he’s been using a 48-foot, two-axle dry goods van pulled behind a highway tractor. Rigetti had been talking to neighbours who used a similar trailer to haul their water. […] Read more
Water key to choosing greenhouse fertilizer
EDMONTON – One of the most common problems customers have with greenhouse fertilizers for bedding plants and vegetables is water quality, says Thom Rypien of Westgro Horticultural Supplies in Calgary. “Just because the water is potable doesn’t mean it’s going to be good for plant growth,” Rypien told the recent Alberta Horticultural Congress in Edmonton. […] Read more
Controlled burn can improve native pasture
Ron Moss has learned through trial and error some of the things that work best when burning native pasture to control unwanted brush and trees. During the Manitoba Grazing School this month in Brandon, he shared ideas on how to burn safely and effectively. He faces an ongoing challenge with brush encroachment on pastures, especially […] Read more
New Products
New herbicide registered Axial, a new cereal grass herbicide developed by Syngenta, recently received registration in Canada and will be available in limited quantities for the 2006 growing season. It’s registered on spring wheat and barley. Axial is registered to control a variety of grassy weeds, including wild oats, green and yellow foxtail, volunteer canaryseed, […] Read more
Rations could cause winter tetany
Many producers will be feeding straw and grain or greenfeed-based rations to their cattle this winter. When feeding these types of feedstuffs, winter tetany may occur. High levels of potassium and phosphorus, coupled with low levels of magnesium and calcium, can result in a magnesium deficiency. This deficiency causes winter tetany. Feeding either magnesium oxide […] Read more
Manage manure for higher yields
Careful manure management is vital to optimize returns from field applications. As well, improper use can result in over-application of nutrients, a growing concern to the sustainability of farmland. Manure nutrients are valuable to feed crops and build soil organic matter. Manure contains essential plant nutrients, such as nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, along with a […] Read more
Growers share cover crop experiences
LETHBRIDGE – A farmer panel at a recent conference proved the point that cover crops serve a variety of roles on western Canadian farms. Corey Nelson, who farms near Grassy Lake, Alta., told the Dryland and Irrigation Reduced Tillage Conference in Lethbridge on Dec. 7 that following his potato harvest, he has used a variety […] Read more
Fertility program guide for greenhouse plants
EDMONTON – In the greenhouse industry, where plants are typically grown in soil-free conditions, nutrient management programs are high science. The same plant can have a range of feeding programs, depending on the stage of growth and the short-term objectives of the grower. “(With bedding plants), the early stage, we want the plant to establish, […] Read more
