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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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Wood ash : an alternative liming material for agricultural soils

Description

Many forestry facilities in Alberta use bark, sawdust and yard waste, commonly referred to as "hogfuel," to generate steam, electricity and heat for plant operations. There are also several... More ≫

Description

Many forestry facilities in Alberta use bark, sawdust and yard waste, commonly referred to as "hogfuel," to generate steam, electricity and heat for plant operations. There are also several facilities that use hogfuel as an energy source to generate electricity. More than 180,000 tonnes of energy system wood ash produced annually at pulp mills, sawmills, oriented strand board and fibre board plants is currently disposed of in industrial or regional landfills.

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Copper deficiency : diagnosis and correction

Description

Cu deficiencies exist across the Canadian prairies in particular as well as south into the adjoining American states. Crop yield and quality losses in Alberta alone in both wheat and barley has... More ≫

Description

Cu deficiencies exist across the Canadian prairies in particular as well as south into the adjoining American states. Crop yield and quality losses in Alberta alone in both wheat and barley has run into tens of millions of dollars annually. Copper deficiency is a simple problem that can be corrected in most instances with a single application of granular copper-based fertilizer. The effects of this single application can last for up to 10 years or more. Foliar applications of copper fertilizer have to be applied annually to cereal crops growing on copper deficient land. Thousands of provincial producers from Fort Vermillion to Milk River have now seen modest to spectacular yield and quality gains from copper applications on their wheat and barley crops.

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Ground opener systems

Description

The key equipment issue in direct seeding is ground opener selection. The ground opener is the part of a planter that penetrates the soil to place seed and fertilizer. It has a soil-breaking wear... More ≫

Description

The key equipment issue in direct seeding is ground opener selection. The ground opener is the part of a planter that penetrates the soil to place seed and fertilizer. It has a soil-breaking wear point, a soil dividing body and delivery tubes to place seed and fertilizer. It often also has deflecting surfaces to guide the soil back over the fertilizer and seed furrows.

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Anhydrous ammonia use at seeding

Description

Many farmers are interested in adding an anhydrous ammonia application system to their one-pass direct seeding planter systems. This is a practical option if a suitable ground opener can be found... More ≫

Description

Many farmers are interested in adding an anhydrous ammonia application system to their one-pass direct seeding planter systems. This is a practical option if a suitable ground opener can be found that ensures separation of the anhydrous ammonia (NH3) from the seed row and also seals the soil surface to prevent escape of NH3. However, NH3 requires careful handling to ensure personal safety

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Crop nutrition and fertilizer requirements

Description

Proper nutrition is essential for satisfactory crop growth and production. The use of soil tests can help to determine the status of plant available nutrients to develop fertilizer recommendations... More ≫

Description

Proper nutrition is essential for satisfactory crop growth and production. The use of soil tests can help to determine the status of plant available nutrients to develop fertilizer recommendations to achieve optimum crop production. The profit potential for farmers depends on producing enough crop per acre to keep production costs below the selling price. Efficient application of the correct types and amounts of fertilizers for the supply of nutrients is an important part of achieving profitable yields.

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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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