There are many different types of compost, and figuring out how your crops and soils might respond to compost can be challenging. To help guide you in how to best use compost to benefit your farm, it is always recommended to get a compost analysis. Some compost retailers will have these readily available, all you have to do is ask. If you make compost yourself on farm, it never hurts to send a sample
Cover crops can provide a huge variety of advantages, reducing soil erosion, improving soil structure and drainage, capturing atmospheric carbon, and more! We have had a remarkably warm and open winter in Nova Scotia this year and having a cover crop in place is imperative to protect your soil. We have made some great strides with increasing the acres in cover crops over the past several years, but it is not time to rest on
Interested in learning more about how grazing cattle can improve carbon sequestration, but don't have time to read about it? Try a podcast! Click on your favourite podcast app, and listen to Cows on the Planet, Season 2 Episode 10! In this episode, titled 'Carbon Sequestration and Grazing', Dr. Tim McAllister and Dr. Kim Stanford speak with Dr. Edward Bork from the University of Alberta about his work focused on increasing carbon sequestration through
Confused about the differences when it comes to nitrogen fertilizer technologies? You're not alone! Check out Perennia's new factsheet and learn the difference between controlled release fertilizers, slow release fertilizers, urease inhibitors, nitrification inhibitors, and dual inhibitors. As fertilizer prices continue to increase, improvements in fertilizer-use efficiency can help you get the most out of your investment and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Understanding the different tools and technologies that are available to you will
What can we expect for winter 2022-23? A summary from the National Agroclimate Risk Report (AAFC) As we are heading into the winter months, I like to share some valuable information from the National Agroclimate Risk Report. The report is generated by Agriculture and Agriculture-Food Canada which provides timely information on the regional agroclimatic conditions, risks, and impacts across Canada. The full report is available here. This report, generated on November 1, 2022,
Are you interested in discovering more about cover crops, nitrogen management, and/or rotational grazing? How about improving your current practices in these areas? Check out the Farm Resilience Mentorship Program (FaRM), an online learning program. The FaRM program is brought to you by Farmers for Climate Solutions, who are a Canadian coalition of farmers and farmer supporting organizations who work to support farmers to reduce emissions and build resilience in the face of climate
By Katie Trottier, Ruminant Livestock Specialist Steve and Amber Kenyon own and operate Greener Pastures Ranching in Alberta, a custom grazing operation with a focus on regenerative agriculture. Steve also teaches grazing management, writes for Canadian Cattle magazine and speaks at different events across North America on intensive grazing practices. Amber works for Gateway Research Organization, an AB agricultural research organization, as an outreach officer and also speaks at events. I had the pleasure
Upcoming field walk at the Digby Pasture! Rotational grazing: thinking it through. Please join Perennia Extension staff for a hands-on workshop on August 17, 2022 at 3:00 to learn how to develop a rotational grazing system and improve pasture management. Please register by clicking here: https://www.perennia.ca/eventer/rotational-grazing-thinking-it-through/edate/2022-08-17/
Productivity of low-yielding forage stands can be improved through interseeding. Interseeding a legume into a grass stand, for example, can increase yields, improve forage quality, and reduce the need for nitrogen fertilizer. Introducing a productive grass into a thin, unproductive grass stand can also help improve yields. Depending on moisture, a late-summer seeding in mid-August can yield good results. Closely graze the pasture to reduce competition beforehand, as seeding into a more open stand
Need help setting some goals for what you want your cover crop to do for your farm? Check out the Innovations in Cover Crops: Cover Crop Decision Tool. You can set a goal such as "organic matter builder" or "legume N source" to see what species might suit your needs best. Choose your province and county for planting date windows best suited to your region. For producers who don't see their county represented, choose
