Improving the Prairie: Hog manure and the canola-winter wheat-soybean-corn rotation helps boost soil organic matter
This story is part of an ongoing series that looks at how some farmers are attempting to preserve their land, water and natural habitat while increasing profits and stability. EAST SELKIRK, Man. — A large, tracked tractor roars into the yard to fill up the tank it’s pulling with liquid hog manure. A few minutes […] Read moreTag Archives Improving the Prairies
Rancher aims to fit grazing system to the land
Managing 300 cow-calf pairs on coarse, sandy land instead of pushing grains and oilseeds takes intensive approach
This story is part of an ongoing series that looks at how some farmers are attempting to preserve their land, water and natural habitat while increasing profits and stability. MEDORA, Man. — In this area of southwestern Manitoba where cranes strutted across recently harvested cropland like departing kings, Matt van Steelandt paused to enjoy the […] Read more
Drought helps farm measure water impact
Improving the Prairie: Research helps Man. potato farm compare conventional and organic effects on soil and water
Editor’s note: This story is part of an ongoing series that looks at how many farmers are attempting to preserve their soil while increasing profits. Farmers are always running real-world experiments. In crop production systems where a complex rotation, customized management, volatile prairie weather and changing technology are constantly challenging farmers, nobody is short on […] Read more
Sustainability called evolution, not quick cure
Improving the Prairie: Farmer tries to figure out how to to get water off his land while keeping nutrients in his fields
Editor’s note: This story is part of an ongoing series that looks at how many farmers are attempting to preserve their soil while increasing profits. EMERSON, Man. — When it rains hard around here, the flat, clay soil can hold the water like a pan. It’s rich farmland, but flooding is a perennial issue, and […] Read more
Farm diversifies while improving environment
Improving the Prairies: Sustainable farm cuts costs, boosts margins with strategic changes to planning and operations
Editor’s note: This story is part of an ongoing series that looks at how many farmers are attempting to preserve their land, water and habitat while increasing profits. CLANWILLIAM, Man. — Something is making the forages grow better on the Smith farm this year, despite the drought: a lack of wire worms. After a couple […] Read more
Farmers often dare to experiment — and sometimes fail
Improving the Prairies: Upcoming conference will allow producers to compare notes on what works and what doesn’t
This story is part of an ongoing series that looks at how many farmers are attempting to preserve their soil while increasing profits. You can find the first story in this series – For the love of soil – here. VIRDEN, Man. — Some things work, some things don’t. This year has turned out to be […] Read more
For the love of soil
This story launches a new series, Improving the Prairies, which will look at what farmers are doing to protect the environment while producing top quality food. SHELLMOUTH, Man. — Arron Nerbas isn’t sure how to describe the numerous actions his family has taken to preserve and improve his farm’s soil, water and environment. “There are […] Read more
