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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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Grassed waterway improvement and gully restoration

Description

Each year, tonnes of topsoil are eroded from localized areas on some Alberta farms. This loss is serious for several reasons: * The remaining soil has less productivity. * Eroded soils deposited... More ≫

Description

Each year, tonnes of topsoil are eroded from localized areas on some Alberta farms. This loss is serious for several reasons: * The remaining soil has less productivity. * Eroded soils deposited elsewhere in the field carry nutrients and pesticides that will increase the range of soil conditions in the field. * Eroded soil may be carried into nearby watercourses, reducing water quality. The Alberta Soil Conservation Act places the responsibility for controlling erosion on the landowner and requires municipalities to appoint a soil conservation officer to administer the Act locally.

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Downy brome control in direct seeding systems

Description

Downy brome is a winter annual, grassy weed that is becoming increasingly troublesome in southern Alberta. Its rapid increase in density and distribution on cropland is associated with fall-seeded... More ≫

Description

Downy brome is a winter annual, grassy weed that is becoming increasingly troublesome in southern Alberta. Its rapid increase in density and distribution on cropland is associated with fall-seeded crops and minimum tillage systems. Key control practices for winter wheat or fall rye include leaving an interval of at least three to four years between fall-seeded crops and adding an oilseed or pulse crop to the rotation. For minimum tillage systems, glyphosate applied in late fall or early spring provides better control than tillage, especially under cool, wet conditions. Higher rates of glyphosate are necessary to control downy brome after heading.

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Soil quality indicators : a review with implications for agricultural ecosystems in Alberta

Description

The objectives of this review are to evaluate the definitions and goals associated with the soil quality concept, to review approaches used to develop soil quality indicators, and to make... More ≫

Description

The objectives of this review are to evaluate the definitions and goals associated with the soil quality concept, to review approaches used to develop soil quality indicators, and to make recommendations for developing soil quality indicators for agroecosystems in Alberta.

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Sustainable crop rotations for Alberta's brown soil zone

Description

In the Brown soil zone of southeastern Alberta, summerfallow and a monoculture wheat systems are the primary cropping practice. However, the long-term environmental sustainability of cropping... More ≫

Description

In the Brown soil zone of southeastern Alberta, summerfallow and a monoculture wheat systems are the primary cropping practice. However, the long-term environmental sustainability of cropping systems that include summerfallow remains in question. This fact sheet summarizes the results of a study that was undertaken to determine the effects of different cropping practices on soil quality in the long-term, and to determine the economic performance of several crop rotation alternatives in the Brown soil zone.

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Soil pH and plant nutrients

Description

Soil pH does play a role in nutrient availability. Should you be concerned on your farm? Be more aware than concerned. Keep the pH factor in mind when planning nutrient management programs. Also,... More ≫

Description

Soil pH does play a role in nutrient availability. Should you be concerned on your farm? Be more aware than concerned. Keep the pH factor in mind when planning nutrient management programs. Also, keep historical records of soil pH in your fields. Soils tend to acidify over time, particularly when large applications of NH4+ based fertilizers are used or there is a high proportion of legumes in the rotation. Recent years have shown the pH decline occurring more rapidly in continuously cropped, direct-seeded land. On the other hand, seepage of alkaline salts can raise the pH above the optimum range. So, a soil with an optimum pH today may be too acid or alkaline a decade from now, depending on producer land management.

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Alberta soil quality card

Description

A soil quality card is a simple, non-technical method to assess soil quality in the field. It uses sensible, farm level indicators and descriptions that qualitatively measure soil quality. It... More ≫

Description

A soil quality card is a simple, non-technical method to assess soil quality in the field. It uses sensible, farm level indicators and descriptions that qualitatively measure soil quality. It allows soil quality to be assessed without the use of technical or laboratory equipment. It is a tool to raise awareness of soil quality and increase the working knowledge of soil.

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Grassed waterway construction

Description

Grassed waterways are broad, shallow channels that carry surface runoff with a minimum of erosion. Natural waterways are easily seeded to forages, either grass or grass-legume mixtures, to prevent... More ≫

Description

Grassed waterways are broad, shallow channels that carry surface runoff with a minimum of erosion. Natural waterways are easily seeded to forages, either grass or grass-legume mixtures, to prevent severe soil loss and gully formation. These waterways are constructed with uniform grades to gradually carry water down slopes and with flat bottoms to spread the water out and slow it. The vegetation in the channel retards the flow and provides a more durable channel surface that resists the soil cutting action of water. With proper fertilization and maintenance, a grassed waterway can be a productive forage area. Reshaping and grassing a gully allows easy access and crossing for machinery.

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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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AESA soil quality benchmark sites. Soil organic matter

Description

Analysis of soil organic matter (SOM), conducted on the AESA Soil Quality Benchmark sites, has revealed some significant differences in the per cent of organic carbon and total nitrogen in... More ≫

Description

Analysis of soil organic matter (SOM), conducted on the AESA Soil Quality Benchmark sites, has revealed some significant differences in the per cent of organic carbon and total nitrogen in Alberta's agricultural ecoregions, depending on soil horizon and slope positions. Because SOM varies between ecoregions, and within a single field based on slope position, the assessment of SOM is very site-specific. The study findings highlight the importance of conserving high SOM levels in soils and identify some ways farmers can do this.

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