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Tag Archives Soil management

Figure 1. Good soil structure (a, left) vs. poor soil structure (b, right).
Crops, News

Identifying and addressing soil structure challenges

OMAFRA Field Crop Report for the week of August 7

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A well-structured soil improves water infiltration, air exchange, rooting, and ultimately crop yield. On the other hand, a cloddy, dense, or compacted soil may result in ponding, nutrient losses, and restricted root systems. Poor soil structure contributes to lower crop yields, especially in seasons that are either too dry or too wet.  In this article, […] Read more
Coulters in strip till work shallower and mix fertilizer.
Crops, Machinery

Strip-till styles

Coulters and shanks both have their supporters, but coulters seem to be increasing in popularity

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So you want to start strip-tilling – what type of unit should you buy? For some, coulter-based strip tillers offer more effective fertilizer management and versatility. For others, shank systems might help address issues in heavier soils. Ultimately, more growers appear to be adopting coulters — but that doesn’t mean shanks should be completely overlooked. […] Read more
There’s more green in Ontario fields in the fall compared to the Prairies, a factor of more cover crop usage, and use of winter wheat.
Crops, News

Researcher grades on-farm soil management

Eastern Canadian farmers get high grades for soil health awareness, but low grades for increasing soil organic carbon

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Glacier FarmMedia – The grades are in. Eastern Canadian farmers get high grades for their understanding of soil health and the rapidly growing use of cover crops, but low grades for increasing tillage which reduces soil carbon storage. Mario Tenuta, a University of Manitoba soil scientist, says eastern farmers get a B for adoption of […] Read more
Anne Verhallen doing what she loves to do — talking about soil.
News

Denys, Verhallen named 2019 soil champions

A farmer and an OMAFRA soils expert are being recognized for trying new practices to improve soil health

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The Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association (OSCIA) has named a farmer and a long-time supporter of soil health as its 2019 Soil Champions. The OSCIA made the announcement at its annual conference in Kingston in early February. Jim Denys is a Middlesex County farmer, producing pork farrow-to-finish while cropping corn, wheat and soybeans. He […] Read more
Maurice Chauvin and the a Salford RTS machine that he uses on his farm.
Crops

Curiosity and care guide farm’s principles

The Chauvin farm takes a long-term view on measures like soil organic matter

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The Essex Soil and Crop Improvement Association recently bestowed its 2018 Conservation Farm of the Year award to Maurice (Moe) Chauvin, a sixth-generation grain farmer from Pointe-aux-Roches (known as Stoney Point to Anglophones). The award is granted annually to a farm within Essex County that displays conservation-minded management practices. For Chauvin, adopting such practices starts […] Read more

Cyber-Savvy Farmer

Glacier Farmmedia Podcast