Soil improvement is a keystone of Canada’s agricultural future, and fundamental to its longevity, according to the “Power of Soils” report published by the Greenbelt Foundation. Produced in partnership with a wide array of industry associations, the publication is designed to provide a comprehensive overview of Canada’s current agri-environmental policy and programming, what practices are […] Read more
Tag Archives Soil — page 8
Encouragement needed for healthy soil practices
Report argues for significant investment in programs that are easy for farmers to use
Data needed to cash in on carbon credits
An Australian company wants to digitize soil test results for farmer use and monitoring
Glacier FarmMedia – To monetize carbon sequestration, farmers must prove they are doing it. That means data, tracked over time. From a soil science perspective, the benefits of carbon in terms of fertility and microbiology are well known, said Sam Duncan, chief executive officer of FarmLab in Armidale, Australia. It’s the reason soil carbon levels […] Read more
Finding the tools to build soil
Intensifying wheat production can help make the soil-building crop more profitable
Wheat and cover crops may not be the most profitable of cash cows, but the indirect benefits to grain growers’ bottom lines are significant. Keeping winter wheat in the rotation, that is, has been shown to consistently boost both corn and soybean yields in Ontario. Those numbers go even higher when red clover is also […] Read more
Cash flow and cover crops
Adaptation and experience reduce upfront costs and improve returns
Cover crops are environmentally beneficial but to determine if they pay for themselves, growers need to provide detailed data on costs and revenue. Aaron Breimer, general manager for Deveron’s Chatham-based Veritas Farm Management, says his experience with cover crops highlights the need to repeatedly verify a practice before concluding whether it’s profitable or not. Why […] Read more
Working soils deeper moves carbon lower
Research shows carbon levels are relatively stable over 70 years, but deeper in the soil
Soil carbon concentration has decreased since the 1950s but the plow layer has deepened and diluted the carbon content. This makes it difficult to accurately compare carbon concentrations as a dilution factor must be considered, say researchers at the University of Guelph. “That is not the only factor contributing to that decrease in carbon concentration […] Read more
Crop and feed analysis can tell a soil health story
U.S. farmer puts focus on tissue testing
Long-time organic agriculture advocate Gary Zimmer believes he can come up with the perfect recipe for his Otter Creek Farm’s soil health. They look at plant tissue and feed tests. Feed tests should include a full mineral analysis, plus feed digestibility, said the founder of the Wisconsin-based Midwestern Bio-Ag crop and livestock input supplier at […] Read more
Letters: Why parts of the world resist the American way of agriculture
Dear editor, Declaring the modern American agriculture (as) science-based and suggesting anything else is less than that, is a shallow statement. (Farmtario, Jan. 25, 2021. page 10; “Agriculture visions collide in Africa”.) The “scientific” American agriculture has plenty of reason to do some soul searching when it comes to soil degradation, less than rigorous agro-chemical […] Read more
Van Eerd, Denotter honoured with OSCIA Soil Champion Award
Roger and David Buurma recognized for on-farm ingenuity with Don Hill Legacy Award
Two soil health contributors were honoured with Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association (OSCIA) 2021 Soil Champion Awards. “This year we are lucky enough to be able to award two worthy nominees,” said Chad Anderson, OSCIA president. “One in the producer category and one in the extension category.” Dr. Laura Van Eerd, a professor of […] Read more
Degelman to make heavy harrows for Deere
Regina company reaches OEM agreement for new line
Major U.S. farm equipment manufacturer John Deere Co. has launched a new line of heavy harrows — and is going to Saskatchewan to get them. Regina equipment maker Degelman Industries announced Tuesday it has reached an OEM (original equipment manufacturer) agreement to provide Deere with a line of three heavy harrow models, the HH50, HH70 […] Read more
New face at soil network helm
Tori Waugh has been appointed executive director of the Ontario Soil Network. Waugh, principal consultant at Conservation Ag Consulting, has helped grow the Ontario Soil Network to its current role in the sector. She was selected after a competitive process. The Ontario Soil Network has created a new strategic plan and it will be Waugh’s […] Read more
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
