As a general rule, only 50 to 60 percent of open-pollinated and hybrid seeds will survive to produce viable seedlings. Other than weather conditions, most factors that affect survival can be managed to some degree. Determining the appropriate seeding rate to achieve proper plant populations of seven to 14 plants per sq. foot requires a […] Read more
Production — page 96
Canola survival from seeding to post emergence
In-crop nitrogen for protein may not pay
RED DEER – While nitrogen is critical for wheat yields, it also affects wheat grain protein levels. But Ross McKenzie, a soil fertility specialist with Alberta Agriculture in Lethbridge, said research suggests that adding an in-crop application of nitrogen to boost protein may not boost levels enough to cover the cost of the fertilizer and […] Read more
Infrared imagery evolves
MIAMI, Man. – The infrared photo of 2006 lets a farmer see individual seed rows in a field, with each pixel on the computer screen depicting an area as small as one metre in real life. It’s a far cry from the first infrared scans of the mid-1990s or the satellite images where each pixel […] Read more
New Products
New Refine SG herbicide from DuPont Canada has received regulatory approval and will be available to cereal growers for the 2006 growing season. DuPont says New Refine SG provides improved weed absorption faster sprayer cleanout and better rain fastness. The product is part of a new generation of sulfonylurea herbicides that are powered by Solumax […] Read more
Grazing better bet than feeding
Well-managed pastures keep operational costs down and increase beef production and profits. To be profitable, cow-calf and background operations should be structured around productive grazing systems instead of winter feeding systems. Grant Lastiwka, a pasture specialist with Alberta Agriculture, said the University of Manitoba surveyed producers across Western Canada who changed from traditional pasture use […] Read more
Oats rich in beta glucan
Beta glucan is fast becoming a household name to the health-conscious. Consuming three grams daily of this soluble fibre, when combined with a healthy diet, may lower the blood’s level of so-called bad cholesterol, diminishing the risk of heart disease. Beta glucan is in a functional food market that generates several billion dollars in annual […] Read more
Cutting back on fertilizer can be costly
REGINA – With low commodity prices and high input costs, one of the first places a farmer might consider cutting costs is fertilizer. However, Stu Brandt, an agronomist at the Agriculture Canada research farm at Scott, Sask., said this might not be the place to start. At the recent Saskatchewan Soil Conservation Association conference in […] Read more
Soil testing labs vary in approach
REGINA – Taking soil tests can be a miserable job, but without information on what’s in the soil, fertilizer rates are just a guess. At the recent Saskatchewan Soil Conservation Association conference in Regina, Adrian Johnston, an agronomist with the Potash and Phosphate Institute, outlined how fertilizer recommendations are made. “The soil sample process involves […] Read more
Winter grazing possible with forage kochia
Utah and Wyoming ranchers reduce their feeding costs by grazing their cattle on forage kochia during the fall and winter. In the western United States a hardy plant called forage kochia or Kochia prostrata, greens up in spring, remains green and succulent during the heat of summer, and turns red in the fall. On snowy […] Read more
Fertilizing grass makes better hay, pasture
An important part of efficient livestock production is ensuring there is sufficient grass for hay and pasture. Forage production, however, is often limited by low soil nutrient levels. With good soil fertility and fertilizer management, the productivity of many hay and pasture fields can be greatly improved. When determining soil fertility, consider a number of […] Read more
