Publications

Managing cow-calf operations to protect water quality

Description

Manure is a valuable nutrient source to a farm. However, manure contains nutrients, organic matter and micro-organisms that can contaminate water supplies.

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Optimizing barley silage production in Alberta

Description

From 1994 to 1996 the Agronomy Unit of Alberta Agriculture, Food and Rural Development conducted research trials at locations across Alberta to examine new barley varieties and their nutrient... More ≫

Description

From 1994 to 1996 the Agronomy Unit of Alberta Agriculture, Food and Rural Development conducted research trials at locations across Alberta to examine new barley varieties and their nutrient requirements. This two-page fact sheet provides a brief summary of the findings of this research.

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Protect groundwater quality : minimize the risks

Description

Groundwater is an important natural resource in Alberta. Many farmers and small towns rely on wells to provide drinking water for both domestic and livestock use. Groundwater, however, is... More ≫

Description

Groundwater is an important natural resource in Alberta. Many farmers and small towns rely on wells to provide drinking water for both domestic and livestock use. Groundwater, however, is vulnerable to contamination from activities around wells and sometimes activities on the land. Groundwater is water that occupies the pore spaces in soil and rocks. It originates as precipitation that moves down through the soil and can be stored in aquifers.

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Managing phosphorus to protect water quality

Description

Phosphorus is an important nutrient for plant growth. In aquatic systems, a lack of phosphorus often limits aquatic plant growth. When phosphorus is used up in fresh water, aquatic plant growth... More ≫

Description

Phosphorus is an important nutrient for plant growth. In aquatic systems, a lack of phosphorus often limits aquatic plant growth. When phosphorus is used up in fresh water, aquatic plant growth will stop no matter how much nitrogen is available. Conversely, nitrogen limits crop production. Only a small amount of phosphorus (measured in parts per billion) in fresh water can cause algal blooms and aquatic weed growth. Phosphorus is the nutrient that limits plant growth in aquatic ecosystems. Nitrogen is the primary nutrient that limits terrestrial plant growth.

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Manure management to protect water quality

Description

Manure use can provide an economic return to the farmer and be beneficial to the environment. When manure is applied according to crop demand and at the appropriate times, manure can provide some... More ≫

Description

Manure use can provide an economic return to the farmer and be beneficial to the environment. When manure is applied according to crop demand and at the appropriate times, manure can provide some of the nutrients required by many crops. Manure also increases soil organic matter and improves soil structure. However, manure can be a pollutant if it reaches surface water (such as streams, rivers or lakes) or leaches past the root zone of crops and into shallow groundwater.

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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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Standards and guidelines for the land application of mechanical pulp mill sludge to agricultural land

Description

These standards and guidelines are intended for operations involving the land application of mechanical pulp mill sludge on agricultural land. General information on mechanical pulp sludge is... More ≫

Description

These standards and guidelines are intended for operations involving the land application of mechanical pulp mill sludge on agricultural land. General information on mechanical pulp sludge is presented as well as the regulatory requirements for generators and recommended practices for end users.

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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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