Publications

Using 1,000 kernel weight for calculating seeding rates and harvest losses

Description

The 1,000 kernel (1,000 K) weight is a measure of seed size. It is the weight in grams of 1,000 seeds. Seed size and the 1,000 K weight can vary from one crop to another, between varieties of the... More ≫

Description

The 1,000 kernel (1,000 K) weight is a measure of seed size. It is the weight in grams of 1,000 seeds. Seed size and the 1,000 K weight can vary from one crop to another, between varieties of the same crop and even from year to year or from field to field of the same variety. Because of this variation in seed size, the number of seeds and, consequently, the number of plants in a pound or a bushel of seed is also highly variable. By using the 1,000 K weight, a producer can account for seed size variations when calculating seeding rates, calibrating seed drills and estimating shattering and combine losses.

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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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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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Alternative date seeding of spring canola

Description

Seeding canola very early in the spring or before fall freeze up has several advantages. It spreads out farming operations. It may also minimize the impact of devastating diseases, insects, frosts... More ≫

Description

Seeding canola very early in the spring or before fall freeze up has several advantages. It spreads out farming operations. It may also minimize the impact of devastating diseases, insects, frosts or periods of extreme heat. These seeding dates also advance maturity and harvest. Alternative date seeding, however, requires careful management. Studies and practical experience on these seeding concepts have led to the recommendations in this fact sheet.

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Controlling quack grass in direct seeding systems

Description

Quack grass can reduce crop yields if it is not controlled. This weed is most common in the higher moisture regions of Alberta and has the potential to increase under direct seeding unless... More ≫

Description

Quack grass can reduce crop yields if it is not controlled. This weed is most common in the higher moisture regions of Alberta and has the potential to increase under direct seeding unless actively managed. Effective herbicidal control options are numerous in broad-leaved crops. In canola, herbicide-tolerant varieties offer additional herbicide options. In wheat, quack grass can be suppressed with Sundance or Anthem. In-crop control options for barley are limited. Glyphosate offers pre-seeding, pre-harvest and post-harvest control options and provides the basis for limiting the expansion of quack grass.

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Equipment issues in crop residue management for direct seeding

Description

Uniform and wide distribution of straw and chaff residues is essential in direct seeding systems. You must spread residues evenly to avoid or reduce problems such as: equipment plugging; poor seed... More ≫

Description

Uniform and wide distribution of straw and chaff residues is essential in direct seeding systems. You must spread residues evenly to avoid or reduce problems such as: equipment plugging; poor seed placement; disease, weed and insect infestations; nutrient tie-up; and cold soil under straw piles and heavy residue mats.

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Residue management for successful direct seeding

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Crop residue management is essential for successful direct seeding. Maintaining crop residue, rather than baling, burning or tilling, offers many benefits. These include increased snow catch and... More ≫

Description

Crop residue management is essential for successful direct seeding. Maintaining crop residue, rather than baling, burning or tilling, offers many benefits. These include increased snow catch and water infiltration, reduced moisture evaporation, increased soil organic matter, improved soil structure and plant nutrient cycling, virtually no chance for wind erosion and much reduced potential for water erosion , and the reduction of some weed species.

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Controlling canola insect pests in direct seeding systems

Description

Insect pest management in canola requires field scouting and accurate, frequent monitoring regardless of whether conventional or direct seeding systems are used.›

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Controlling wheat diseases in direct seeding systems

Description

Disease control in wheat requires good agronomic practices whether conventional or direct seeding systems are used. Weather conditions and crop rotations are much more important factors than the... More ≫

Description

Disease control in wheat requires good agronomic practices whether conventional or direct seeding systems are used. Weather conditions and crop rotations are much more important factors than the amount of tillage in determining disease occurrence and intensity.

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Soil temperature and direct seeding

Description

Research has shown that soil temperature, while cooler under seeded soils, does not appear to be a concern in most years. Cooler seedbeds can be managed through even spreading of crop residues and... More ≫

Description

Research has shown that soil temperature, while cooler under seeded soils, does not appear to be a concern in most years. Cooler seedbeds can be managed through even spreading of crop residues and shallower seeding. Adapted from Farm Facts : Soil Temperature and Crop Emergence under Conventional and Direct Seeding by Brandon Green and Dr. Guy Lafond, with permission to adapt from Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food.

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