Recent wet and dry cycles have increased topsoil salinity in many parts of the Prairies over the past few years. “Salinity is not a salt problem, it’s a water problem,” says Marla Riekman, soil management specialist with Manitoba Agriculture and Resource Development. “Wet years bring the water table closer to the roots, and salinity wicks up to the soil surface.”…
Nutrient management other
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Whether taking a soil sample or applying fall fertilizer, mid September is generally considered to be too early for both…
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UCC field-scale trials in 2016 and 2017 compared the farmer’s base nitrogen rate with a rate 25% higher. With all site years averaged, adding extra nitrogen did provide a statistically significant yield response, but the increased nitrogen did not always provide an economic return when compared to the base rate…
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The combination of warm weather and moist soils is almost ideal for losses. Growers may want to reassess the nutrient situation with a time-of-seeding soil test, then top-dress if amounts are less than expected…
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Snow in October is not usually a major problem for fall soil tests. Temperatures often improve before winter sets in for good, so sampling opportunities usually present themselves…
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Rescue treatments for hail, excess moisture and other stress factors are rarely tested in broad scientific studies. Growers considering these treatments have to remember the decision comes down to "buyer beware"…