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Solar grain drying

Description

Direct solar energy has been applied to grain drying for years. The sun and wind dry crops in the field, stack or windrow. Artificial drying has supplemented this process to increase the harvest... More ≫

Description

Direct solar energy has been applied to grain drying for years. The sun and wind dry crops in the field, stack or windrow. Artificial drying has supplemented this process to increase the harvest rate during inclement weather or to minimize field losses. This article investigates solar grain drying as one alternative.

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Soil organic matter

Description

The cultivation of prairie soils has generally resulted in a decline in organic matter of 30 to 50 per cent. A product of this decline has been the release of large amounts of plant nutrients,... More ≫

Description

The cultivation of prairie soils has generally resulted in a decline in organic matter of 30 to 50 per cent. A product of this decline has been the release of large amounts of plant nutrients, particularly nitrogen. Crop rotations with a high frequency of summerfallow have relied on the nitrogen released from soil organic matter to supply crop requirements. More frequent or continuous cropping, less frequent tillage, the production of high yields and the return of crop residues will help to maintain soil organic matter at a satisfactory level. Perennial forages are effective for maintaining or increasing soil organic matter.

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Management of cereal grain in storage

Description

The main objective of proper grain storage is to maintain the quality and characteristics that the grain possessed immediately after harvesting and drying. The quality of grain cannot be improved... More ≫

Description

The main objective of proper grain storage is to maintain the quality and characteristics that the grain possessed immediately after harvesting and drying. The quality of grain cannot be improved during storage. Grain improperly harvested and dried will remain of low quality no matter how well it is stored. In cereal grains loss in quality and quantity during storage is caused by fungi, insects, rodents and mites. Respiration may, in certain cases, contribute to a loss of dry matter during grain storage. However, the losses due to respiration are minor compared to those caused by living organisms.

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High salt content in garden soil

Description

Salts are a common and natural constituent of all soils. Normally, these salts are present in low amounts in topsoil and plant growth is not affected. However, accumulation of salts, through... More ≫

Description

Salts are a common and natural constituent of all soils. Normally, these salts are present in low amounts in topsoil and plant growth is not affected. However, accumulation of salts, through natural means or man’s activities, can cause plant growth problems and result in poor growth or death of plants. Once the salts have accumulated in a soil, there is no chemical treatment that will remove or counteract their adverse effects on plant growth. Special management practices become necessary in order to successfully grow plants on soils with high salt content. These practices are discussed in this fact sheet.

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Protection against frost damage

Description

Frost risk is an important fact of life for agriculture. Freezing temperatures restrict the length of the growing season and are responsible for reductions in yield and quality of agricultural... More ≫

Description

Frost risk is an important fact of life for agriculture. Freezing temperatures restrict the length of the growing season and are responsible for reductions in yield and quality of agricultural crops. Sensitive crops can suffer serious damage at temperatures above freezing as well. In either case, the minimum temperature is critical. Of all the weather factors affecting agriculture, minimum temperature is among the most variable from place to place. Adjacent fields and garden sites can have very different frost-free periods, and are therefore suited to different uses. Risk can be reduced by careful management of the land and effective reaction to forecasts. Late spring and early fall frosts usually involve minimum temperatures just slightly below freezing, It is in these situations that preventive measures can be most effective. By successfully averting a single freezing situation, the growing season may be extended by weeks.

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Restrictions in herbicide applications in crops

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This resource outlines restrictions and guidelines for herbicide applications in various crops. It details the implications of tank mixing herbicides, including potential reductions in... More ≫

Description

This resource outlines restrictions and guidelines for herbicide applications in various crops. It details the implications of tank mixing herbicides, including potential reductions in effectiveness and the importance of adhering to label recommendations to avoid crop injury or soil residue issues. The guide provides specific chemical usage restrictions for numerous herbicides, covering appropriate application times, types of weeds controlled, feeding or grazing limitations, and approved mixing combinations. This information helps agricultural producers make informed decisions regarding herbicide use to ensure effective weed control and minimize adverse effects.

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