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Managing nitrogen to protect water quality

Description

Nitrogen is an essential nutrient for crop growth. Insufficient nitrogen for growing plants can limit crop production. Soil organic matter, chemical fertilizers and livestock manure are sources of... More ≫

Description

Nitrogen is an essential nutrient for crop growth. Insufficient nitrogen for growing plants can limit crop production. Soil organic matter, chemical fertilizers and livestock manure are sources of nitrogen for crop production. Excess nitrogen not used by growing crops coverts to nitrate (NO3-), which can be very mobile in soils. Nitrate can leach through the root zone and contaminate shallow groundwater. Areas with coarse or sandy soils are at greater risk for nitrate leaching to groundwater. Nitrogen can also be carried in runoff and can contaminate surface waters. Nitrogen must be managed properly to increase crop yields and protect water quality. Manure is a valuable source of nitrogen on the farm; however, nitrogen from manure and chemical fertilizers can pollute both surface and groundwater.

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Screening your fish pond

Description

If your fish-rearing pond is constructed to allow the passage of water in and out of the impoundment, you need a permanent barrier restricting fish movement. Water passage could be from continuous... More ≫

Description

If your fish-rearing pond is constructed to allow the passage of water in and out of the impoundment, you need a permanent barrier restricting fish movement. Water passage could be from continuous flows, such as wells, aquifers and springs, or intermittent flows, such as annual runoff or flooding conditions.

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Seed row spacing and seeding rates in direct seeding

Description

This fact sheet looks at how the use of direct seeding, as opposed to tillage-based seeding methods, affects row spacing and seeding rates.

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Creep feeding calves

Description

Creep feeding is the practice of providing supplemental feed to calves before weaning. Creep feeding helps in supplementing mother’s milk and pasture. The feed is provided in a facility designed... More ≫

Description

Creep feeding is the practice of providing supplemental feed to calves before weaning. Creep feeding helps in supplementing mother’s milk and pasture. The feed is provided in a facility designed so that adult animals are unable to consume the creep feed. By providing creep feed, it is possible to increase preweaning weight gains and weaning weights. However, the selling price of the calves and the cost of feed must be considered when a producer is making a decision about creep feeding. Creep feeding has many advantages, but there are also disadvantages that must be considered by the livestock producer.

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Yellows diseases of echinacea, monarda and caraway

Description

Trends in crop diversification on the Canadian prairies have resulted in the increased production of exotic herbs, spices, essential oils and medicinal plants. With these new specialty crops have... More ≫

Description

Trends in crop diversification on the Canadian prairies have resulted in the increased production of exotic herbs, spices, essential oils and medicinal plants. With these new specialty crops have come unique disease and pest problems, some of which were previously rare or unknown on the prairies. One example is the so-called "yellows" diseases of echinacea, monarda and caraway. Recognizing the symptoms of these diseases and understanding the basic biology of the infectious agents that cause them is fundamental to developing an effective pest management program. But first, it helps to know a bit about the origins of these crops and what they should look like in a healthy condition.

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