Spencer Harris , in the green shirt, speaks with attendees at the Nutrien Ag Solutions crop plots at Ag in Motion on July 16. Photo: Greg Berg

Interest in biological crop inputs continues to grow

Nutrien exec shares thoughts on uptake and profitability of biological crop inputs

It was only a few years ago that interest in alternative methods such as biologicals to boost a crop’s nutrient uptake seemed to spike in popularity. But according to Spencer Harris, senior vice-president of global ag retail for Nutrien Ag Solutions, biologicals are not all that new for Nutrien — the global ag retailer has been researching biological crop inputs for nearly two decades.



The carbon footprint of oats and barley grown in Saskatchewan is lower than the same crops grown elsewhere, according to new study from the Global Institute for Food Security. Photo: file

Barley, oats sustainability quantified by study

One tonne of oats produced in Saskatchewan has a carbon footprint 201 per cent lower than that produced across the country

The carbon footprint of oats and barley grown in Saskatchewan is lower than the same crops grown elsewhere, according to new study from the Global Institute for Food Security.



Travis Cranmer, a vegetable crop specialist at the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness, explains the early results of his three-year Ontario trial suggesting that August planting improves garlic survival and increases producer opportunities at the Garlic Growers Association of Ontario annual general meeting and field day, June 7 2025. Photo by Diana Martin

Research challenges traditional garlic planting parameters

A three-year Ontario trial suggests that planting as early as August improves garlic survival, challenges traditional planting timelines, and increases producer opportunities.

A three-year Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness trial suggests that planting as early as August improves garlic survival, challenges traditional planting timelines, and increases Garlic Growers Associaton of Ontario producer’s opportunities.