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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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Custom rates survey summary

Description

Since 1975 Alberta Agriculture & Rural Development has annually surveyed custom rates and rental rates to provide information to farmers and custom operators. This publication presents a... More ≫

Description

Since 1975 Alberta Agriculture & Rural Development has annually surveyed custom rates and rental rates to provide information to farmers and custom operators. This publication presents a summary of custom work and rental rates. These rates are only intended as a guide. The specific objective of this survey summary is to organize and report custom rates for certain custom operations on the farm. No effort is made to evaluate the fairness of reported rates. The goal is to report what is being charged, not what should be charged. Farmers may find custom rates useful as a guide for machinery management, budgeting and financial planning for credit needs. Also, custom rates can be used as a guide in negotiating settlements for work performed for neighbors or others. Lenders, educators, government institutions and others doing budgeting or planning analysis may also find custom rates helpful in their work. Custom operators can use these guides to compare their own rate with the market...

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Nutrient recommendations for Russet Burbank potatoes in southern Alberta

Description

Precise fertilizer application rates are critical for optimal potato production. Sufficient nutrients are needed to maximize tuber yield, quality and uniformity. However, too much fertilizer means... More ≫

Description

Precise fertilizer application rates are critical for optimal potato production. Sufficient nutrients are needed to maximize tuber yield, quality and uniformity. However, too much fertilizer means unnecessary costs for the producer and potential harm to the environment.

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Nutrient management on intensively managed pastures

Description

Pastures are unique to agricultural production systems in that only a very small portion of the nutrients required for crop production are removed from the system. Up to 90 per cent of the... More ≫

Description

Pastures are unique to agricultural production systems in that only a very small portion of the nutrients required for crop production are removed from the system. Up to 90 per cent of the nutrients ingested by grazing animals are returned to the land in manure (excreta), which is comprised of urine and dung. The rest is utilized in animal maintenance and growth or milk production. Nutrient cycling is faster on grazed than ungrazed grassland because most of the nutrients in manure have been converted from organic (plant material) to inorganic, plant-available forms during the digestive process.

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Fertilizer and nutrient management of timothy hay

Description

Timothy has a relatively high demand for nutrients. Under excellent moisture conditions or irrigation and when supplied with the optimum nutrients, timothy is capable of producing yields in the... More ≫

Description

Timothy has a relatively high demand for nutrients. Under excellent moisture conditions or irrigation and when supplied with the optimum nutrients, timothy is capable of producing yields in the range of 5 to 6 tons/ acre, typically 3 to 3.5 tons for first cut and 1.5 to 2 tons for second. With reasonable precipitation, non-irrigated timothy will produce 2 to 4 tons/acre annually.

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Agronomic and fertilizer management of barley in Alberta

Description

Barley production in Canada is focused primarily in the prairie provinces of Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba (Table 1). Approximately 94 per cent of barley of production in Canada is in the... More ≫

Description

Barley production in Canada is focused primarily in the prairie provinces of Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba (Table 1). Approximately 94 per cent of barley of production in Canada is in the prairie provinces, with Alberta generally producing the most. Barley is the third most commonly grown crop on the prairies, after wheat and canola.

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Managing livestock manure

Description

If proper manure management practices are followed, animal wastes can be utilized as a valuable nutrient resource rather than treated as a waste. Manure is an excellent “organic” fertilizer... More ≫

Description

If proper manure management practices are followed, animal wastes can be utilized as a valuable nutrient resource rather than treated as a waste. Manure is an excellent “organic” fertilizer containing nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K) and many other essential nutrients. Manure can physically benefit the soil. It adds organic matter to the soil, which improves soil tilth and structure. Because manure is “organic,” there is a perception that manure cannot be harmful to soils or the environment. There is no question that adding modest amounts of manure to soil is very beneficial. However, too much of a good thing over time could lead to problems.

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Use of fertilizers, manures and pesticides for sustainable farm management

Description

Optimum crop production depends on inputs of commercial fertilizer and herbicides. Today's technology-based agricultural practices have had a huge effect on increased food production across the... More ≫

Description

Optimum crop production depends on inputs of commercial fertilizer and herbicides. Today's technology-based agricultural practices have had a huge effect on increased food production across the prairies. Generally, the economic effects of increased production have been very positive; however, the ecological effects are not always as positive.

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Sampling solid manure for analysis

Description

Solid manure and compost are excellent sources of nutrients for annual and perennial crop production. To determine an appropriate manure application rate to meet crop requirements, optimize crop... More ≫

Description

Solid manure and compost are excellent sources of nutrients for annual and perennial crop production. To determine an appropriate manure application rate to meet crop requirements, optimize crop yields and minimize environmental impact, it is essential to know the nutrient content of the manure being applied.

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Liquid manure injection systems : performance evaluation

Description

When selecting manure injection technology, it is important to weigh the pros and cons of each system being considered. Several conclusions were shown in the study: High-disturbance injection... More ≫

Description

When selecting manure injection technology, it is important to weigh the pros and cons of each system being considered. Several conclusions were shown in the study: High-disturbance injection technology controls odour, but results in a lot of residue and soil disturbance. Low-disturbance injection technology provides minimal residue and soil disturbance, but does not control odour as well as high-disturbance injection equipment (although all produced acceptable results). All technologies provide acceptable nutrient placement. A producer’s individual situation should dictate which system to use. For example, a producer practicing direct seeding may choose low-disturbance injection while a producer practicing tillage may choose high-disturbance injection.

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