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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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Fertilizing eroded knolls

Description

Many farmers have fields dotted with eroded knolls that are relatively unproductive. This fact sheet takes a quick look at the best ways to restore the productivity of these knolls.

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Fall-applied nitrogen : risks and benefits

Description

This fact sheet provides a summary about the effectiveness of fall nitrogen fertilization.

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Sulphur fertilizer application in crop production

Description

Sulphur is required in the development of fertile canola flowers and must be present for good nodule development on legume forages such as alfalfa and pulse crop roots such as pea and faba bean.

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Phosphorus fertilizer application in crop production

Description

For optimum crop production, an adequate supply of P close to the seed during the first six weeks of growth and an adequate amount of P in the soil for the rest of the season are ideal. Placement... More ≫

Description

For optimum crop production, an adequate supply of P close to the seed during the first six weeks of growth and an adequate amount of P in the soil for the rest of the season are ideal. Placement of P in-row with cereal and oilseed crops has been the traditional method used for P fertilization in Alberta. Pre-plant banding of P with nitrogen has been found to be a good alternative method of application under certain conditions. However, under conditions of low to medium soil P coupled with low soil temperatures, 'starter' P in the seed row is frequently very beneficial for annual crops.

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Potassium fertilizer application in crop production

Description

Potassium (K) is required by all plant and animal life. While potassium is not a commonly limiting soil nutrient in crop production in Alberta, about 15 per cent of Alberta soils used for annual... More ≫

Description

Potassium (K) is required by all plant and animal life. While potassium is not a commonly limiting soil nutrient in crop production in Alberta, about 15 per cent of Alberta soils used for annual crop production are estimated to have slight to moderate potassium deficiency.

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Management of sodic soils in Alberta

Description

Sodic soils have relatively high sodium levels. In many situations, sodic soils are best left in the native state or seeded to a tolerant forage crop. Often, the highest agricultural use of sodic... More ≫

Description

Sodic soils have relatively high sodium levels. In many situations, sodic soils are best left in the native state or seeded to a tolerant forage crop. Often, the highest agricultural use of sodic soils is for carefully managed livestock grazing. If reclamation is considered, it is recommended that producers work with a knowledgeable agrologist with expertise in soil science and salt-affected soils. The first step to improving management is to correctly diagnose the soil problem by proper intensive soil sampling and analysis. If sodic soil conditions are diagnosed and reclamation is considered, a detailed soil analysis is needed for electrical conductivity, sodium adsorption ratio, exchangeable sodium, free lime, soil pH and cation exchange capacity.

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Controlling field pea diseases in direct seeding systems

Description

Of all the crops seeded on the prairies, field peas are often said to be the most easily adapted to direct seeding. For this reason, a large percentage of the pea acreage is direct seeded. Whether... More ≫

Description

Of all the crops seeded on the prairies, field peas are often said to be the most easily adapted to direct seeding. For this reason, a large percentage of the pea acreage is direct seeded. Whether in a direct or conventional seeding system, the field pea crop requires close observation for disease throughout the growing season. Several economically important diseases can affect field peas.

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Estimating the value of crop residues

Description

Crop residues - straw plus chaff - are the byproducts of harvesting annual grain crops. Retaining crop residues on a field improves or maintains soil quality and moisture. The economic value of... More ≫

Description

Crop residues - straw plus chaff - are the byproducts of harvesting annual grain crops. Retaining crop residues on a field improves or maintains soil quality and moisture. The economic value of retaining or removing crop residues from the field depends on the following: present level of soil organic matter; field's soil erosion risk; nutrient levels in the residues and soil; soil's moisture content; value of using the residues for other purposes such as bedding, coarse feed or industrial uses such as fibreboard; effects of any problems caused by poorly spread or heavy residues (such as the need for extra field operations)

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Crop rotations in direct seeding

Description

Crop rotations are a vital part of direct seeding systems. Rotations maximize the benefits of moisture conservation and reduce the impacts of diseases, weeds and insect pests.

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