Publications

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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Spatial variability of soil nutrients at selected AESA soil quality benchmark sites

Description

Spatial analysis of selected soil properties sampled at three AESA sites indicated that the sampling area could be expanded except for N. Further soil nutrient sampling in different ecoregions... More ≫

Description

Spatial analysis of selected soil properties sampled at three AESA sites indicated that the sampling area could be expanded except for N. Further soil nutrient sampling in different ecoregions will validate this initial conclusion.

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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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Agricultural land resource atlas of Alberta. 2nd edition

Description

The Agricultural Land Resource Atlas of Alberta is a collection of agricultural resource maps developed following the completion of a scan of environmental issues facing agriculture in Alberta.... More ≫

Description

The Agricultural Land Resource Atlas of Alberta is a collection of agricultural resource maps developed following the completion of a scan of environmental issues facing agriculture in Alberta. The maps were prepared as part of this process, or were added to the collection because of their potential value to Alberta's agricultural community. The maps were recognized for their value to people involved in developing environmental farm plans who could use resource and environmental information on a broad scale.

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

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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 ≫

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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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The soil quality indices literature : compiler's report : SQI literature project 2003

Description

A literature review for the Alberta Environmentally Sustainable Agriculture (AESA) Soil Quality Monitoring Program was initiated within the Conservation and Development Branch of Alberta... More ≫

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A literature review for the Alberta Environmentally Sustainable Agriculture (AESA) Soil Quality Monitoring Program was initiated within the Conservation and Development Branch of Alberta Agriculture, Food and Rural Development (AAFRD), with the intent to synthesize current literature on soil quality indices. This review has included coverage of publications dealing with the various approaches used in developing soil quality indices. It will assess the literature, by March 2004, for indices appropriate to western Canadian conditions and with respect to the needs of the AESA Soil Quality Program.

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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 ≫

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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 quality monitoring programs : a literature review

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This review is a compilation of 52 environmental/soil monitoring programs from around the world. An emphasis was placed on finding programs currently operating or those operational within the last... More ≫

Description

This review is a compilation of 52 environmental/soil monitoring programs from around the world. An emphasis was placed on finding programs currently operating or those operational within the last two decades, which repeatedly monitor the soil resource in some capacity, without imposing agronomic treatments. Programs were researched using computerized database searches, bibliographic references and through use of the Internet. The soil related information is summarized into tables, which contain extensive information describing each monitoring program, including management, program lifespan, ecosystem monitored, variables monitored, sampling sites, soil sampling interval, data uses and trends and parameters measured. The discussion includes analysis of the information tables and serves as a summary of the various approaches to repeated monitoring of environmental and soil components. A comparison of the AESA Soil Quality Benchmark Program to the other programs was carried out.

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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 ≫

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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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