Publications

Removing forages from the rotation in a direct seeding system

Description

Using herbicides and direct seeding equipment can be an effective way to remove forages from a rotation. Each producer needs to design his or her own program for removing forages, considering the... More ≫

Description

Using herbicides and direct seeding equipment can be an effective way to remove forages from a rotation. Each producer needs to design his or her own program for removing forages, considering the type of forage to be removed and the crop that will be seeded.

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Using the animal unit month (AUM) effectively

Description

The concept of the animal unit month (AUM) is useful to help range and pasture managers calculate suitable stocking rates for pastures under a wide variety of conditions. This fact sheet defines... More ≫

Description

The concept of the animal unit month (AUM) is useful to help range and pasture managers calculate suitable stocking rates for pastures under a wide variety of conditions. This fact sheet defines the animal unit month and describes how to determine this number.

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Anaerobic digesters

Description

The anaerobic digestion process is gaining attention in the agriculture industry because of its potential for renewable energy production and manure stabilization. These potential benefits are... More ≫

Description

The anaerobic digestion process is gaining attention in the agriculture industry because of its potential for renewable energy production and manure stabilization. These potential benefits are significant against the current backdrop of rising energy costs and growing environmental concerns. The process has been adopted in various ways in different parts of the world, predominantly in Europe and the United States. Although knowledge of the process is not yet widespread in Alberta, the agriculture industry is keen to see if anaerobic digestion is suited for its operations.

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Ammonia volatilization from manure application

Description

The purpose of this fact sheet is to provide producers and farm managers with information that will help quantify the amount of ammonia loss that occurs when they apply manure on land. It also... More ≫

Description

The purpose of this fact sheet is to provide producers and farm managers with information that will help quantify the amount of ammonia loss that occurs when they apply manure on land. It also provides them with information regarding the factors that positively and negatively affect these losses. The fact sheet is also a good source of information on best management practices producers could use to mitigate and control ammonia losses from the land application of manure.

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Sampling liquid manure for analysis

Description

Liquid manure is an excellent source of nutrients for annual and perennial crop production. To determine an appropriate manure application rate to meet crop requirements, optimize yields and... More ≫

Description

Liquid manure is an excellent source of nutrients for annual and perennial crop production. To determine an appropriate manure application rate to meet crop requirements, optimize yields and minimize environmental effects, it is essential to know the nutrient content of the manure being applied. The best way to get an accurate, farm-specific estimate of manure nutrient content is through proper sampling and analysis. The accuracy and usefulness of a manure analysis is a direct reflection of the quality of the sample collected. The most convenient time to sample manure is when it is being pumped from the storage for application. More importantly, a more accurate sample can be collected after the manure has been agitated and is being pumped from the structure.

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Remote pasture water systems for livestock

Description

No matter the size of a livestock watering system, proper planning and design play an important role in its effectiveness. Good installation cannot compensate for an inadequate water source. Good... More ≫

Description

No matter the size of a livestock watering system, proper planning and design play an important role in its effectiveness. Good installation cannot compensate for an inadequate water source. Good quality water and sufficient quantity are both vital to livestock. Dugout and off-stream livestock watering systems are an important tool in protecting water sources, riparian areas and livestock.

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Honey bees and winterkill

Description

After the unusually high overwintering losses during the winter of 2006-2007, beekeepers were concerned about honey bee health and what should be done to reduce bee winterkill. Because winterkill... More ≫

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After the unusually high overwintering losses during the winter of 2006-2007, beekeepers were concerned about honey bee health and what should be done to reduce bee winterkill. Because winterkill can be attributed to several possible causes, best management practices have been developed to provide beekeepers with some options to minimize the amount of winterkill in any given year.

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Foxtail barley control in direct seeding systems

Description

Foxtail barley is a tough-to-control perennial weed in zero tillage systems. Herbicides containing glyphosate can effectively control seedlings at relatively low rates with much higher rates... More ≫

Description

Foxtail barley is a tough-to-control perennial weed in zero tillage systems. Herbicides containing glyphosate can effectively control seedlings at relatively low rates with much higher rates required for control of mature plants. Cultural practices that encourage a competitive crop, such as high seeding rates and banding of nitrogen fertilizer, help to reduce yield losses and slow the spread of foxtail barley.

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Ration options for beef cows

Description

Producers are always encouraged to have their beef cow feed programs set well in advance of the winter. This is even more important when planning through a challenging time, one that may require... More ≫

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Producers are always encouraged to have their beef cow feed programs set well in advance of the winter. This is even more important when planning through a challenging time, one that may require extra feed for extra animals due to volatile or weak markets. In times of high feed prices, planning can also help producers manage and potentially reduce overall winter feed costs.

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Control options for downy brome on prairie reclamation sites

Description

Downy brome, Bromus tectorum L., is an annual grass that came from Europe in about 1861. It’s now the dominant plant on over 100 million acres in the western United States, making it the most... More ≫

Description

Downy brome, Bromus tectorum L., is an annual grass that came from Europe in about 1861. It’s now the dominant plant on over 100 million acres in the western United States, making it the most common plant on the continent. A major problem in the United States, downy brome is also becoming a problem in the southern parts of British Columbia, Alberta and Saskatchewan. Some of the common names that this grass is known by include: downy brome, cheatgrass, military grass and downy chess. Downy brome thrives on medium to coarse textured soil types (sandy or gravelly soils) and in low to medium precipitation zones. It’s currently listed as a nuisance weed in the Alberta Weed Control Act, but has been elevated to noxious weed status by several municipalities in Alberta.

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